Hook Island

This article is about the island off Queensland, Australia. For the island in the Humber, England, see Howden Dyke Island.

Coordinates: 20°07′S 148°55′E / 20.117°S 148.917°E / -20.117; 148.917

Hook Island
Geography
Location Coral Sea
Archipelago Whitsunday Islands
Total islands 74
Country
Australia
State Queensland
Local government area Whitsunday Regional Council

Hook Island is one of the Whitsunday Islands off the coast of the Australian state of Queensland. The island is almost uninhabited, quite rugged and almost completely contained within a section of the Whitsunday Islands National Park . The island has two prominent geographical features on the southern side of Hook Island; the Nara and Macona inlets, two fjord-like recesses that are used as anchorages for the Whitsunday tourist fleet. The island's northern coast is noted for its colourful underwater coral growths, to which snorkelling and diving enthusiasts are attracted.

In 1964, an image taken at the islands circulated globally after what was believed to be some kind of sea monster was visible.

On 12 February 2008 a yacht ran aground at Cape Cove.[1] The yacht became wedged on dangerous rocks requiring the rescue of 37 people by helicopter. The incident was Australia's largest helicopter rescue operation from a vessel.[1] At least two people have died from irukandji jellyfish stings while snorkeling off Hook Island.[2]

Some of the oldest archaeological sites ever found in Eastern Australia are the caves and midden of the Ngaro People on Hook Island. A site at Nara Inlet is the oldest indication of Aboriginal occupation in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.[3]

Hook Island Wilderness Resort

The only habitation on Hook Island is the Hook Island Wilderness Resort which is serviced in irregular days by large catamaran. The resort has a combined bar/restaurant with meals and snacks available. Some activities available at the resort are swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving. There is a now closed underwater observatory on the island due to health and safety deeming it to have inadequate ventilation.

Panorama of Hook Island

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Victoria Bruce (15 April 2009). "Maritime rescue heroes awarded bravery medals". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Digital). Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  2. ↑ Georgina Robinson (4 December 2009). "Dive into deadly jellyfish tentacles". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Digital). Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  3. ↑ Fiona Dickson (25 June 2008). "The Ngaro people of the Whitsundays". ABC Tropical North (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 22 May 2010.
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