Visiting Brook Islands safely
North Island, Brook Islands National Park.
Photo credit: J. Jones, Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA)
Box jellyfish ('stingers) may be found in the waters surrounding Brook Islands National Park.
Photo credit: Jamie Seymour, James Cook University
Getting there and getting around
The Brook Islands lie off the North Queensland coast, about 8km north-east of Cape Richards on Hinchinbrook Island and about 30km north-east of the nearest mainland town of Cardwell.
Three of the four islands in the group lie within Brook Islands National Park. Access to these islands—North , Tween and Middle islands—is prohibited to protect nesting and roosting seabirds and shorebirds and their habitats. There are no roads, walking tracks or facilities on the islands.
The fourth island—South Island is a Commonwealth island jointly managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). Access to this island is prohibited from 1 October to 31 March each year to protect breeding birds.
The fringing reefs are accessible by boat or sea kayak from Cardwell, Mission Beach or Lucinda.
Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Staying safe
To enjoy a visit to the Brook Islands:
- Wear sunscreen and cover up when you are swimming or snorkelling.
- Be aware that crocodiles can turn up anywhere in croc country, including tidal reaches of rivers, along beaches, on offshore islands and cays in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait and in freshwater lagoons, rivers and swamps. Crocodiles are dangerous and attacks can be fatal.
- Dangerous stinging jellyfish (‘stingers’) may be present in the coastal waters at any time, but occur more frequently in the warmer months. A full-body lycra suit or equivalent may provide a good measure of protection against stinging jellyfish and sunburn. Visit marine stingers for the latest safety and first-aid information.
- Know your own health limitations for safe snorkelling—do not put yourself and others at risk and always snorkel with a buddy so that help is at hand.
- Carry drinking water and wear a hat.
- Bring insect repellent.
For more information, please read the general guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Before you visit
Our precious Great Barrier Reef World Heritage islands are among the most pest-free islands in the world. They need your help to stay this way. Please Be pest-free! before your visit.
Essentials to bring
Remember to pack:
- sunscreen, hat and suitable clothing
- drinking water
- rubbish bags to take your rubbish away with you
- insect repellent.
Opening hours
Access to North , Tween and Middle islands, Brook Islands National Park is prohibited, but the surrounding marine park waters are accessible by boat.
Remember access to South Island—a Commonwealth Island—is also prohibited from 1 October to 31 March.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted on Brook Islands National Park or on tidal lands adjacent to Brook Islands National Park within the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park. Tidal areas include beaches, rocks and dunes.
Climate and weather
The Brook Islands have a tropical climate. Summer can be very hot and humid with maximum temperatures reaching over 35ºC. During the wetter months, from December to April, there are frequent, heavy downpours. The cooler, drier months from May to September are the best time to visit. The weather is pleasantly warm, with reduced humidity, and with steady south-easterly trade winds. Daytime temperatures are around 20ºC, while overnight temperatures can drop to 10ºC.
For more information see the tourism information links. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available at Cardwell, Lucinda, Tully and Mission Beach. For more information see the tourism information links.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.