Newry Islands National Park Mackay

About Newry Islands

    Park features

    Newry Islands National Park lies within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, an area of outstanding natural beauty and irreplaceable value to all the people of the world. Pearl-coloured beaches, exposed rocky headlands, open woodlands and dense rainforest, all surrounded by the sparkling turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef—Newry Islands National Park is truly world class World Heritage.

    Newry Island was once home to one of the earliest resorts in the area. Wander along the island’s resort trail past the resort ruins and contemplate a bygone era. Take a walk on Newry Island’s circuit track through rainforest and open forest. Vantage points along the way offer spectacular views of nearby islands and the mainland. Enjoy a picnic on the island’s western side overlooking Rabbit Island.

    Looking after the park

    The islands are protected national parks so please leave all plants and animals undisturbed. Follow these tips for a safe, enjoyable trip with minimal impact.

    • Take all rubbish, including food scraps and fishing tackle, back to the mainland. Bins are not provided. Remove excess food packaging before your trip to minimise the rubbish you bring home.
    • Use a fuel stove. Open fires are prohibited.
    • Do not bury or burn anything. Even small fragments of line and string can become entangled around birds' legs with agonisinig and fatal results.

    Be pest-free!

    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! (PDF, 573.6KB) before your visit.

    Before you visit, please check that your boat, clothing, footwear and gear are free of soil, seeds, parts of plants, eggs, ants and insects (and their eggs), spiders, lizards, toads, rats and mice.

    Be sure to:

    • Unpack your camping gear and equipment and check it carefully as pests love to hide in stored camping gear.
    • Clean soil from footwear and gear as invisible killers such as viruses, bacteria and fungi are carried in soil.
    • Check for seeds in pockets, cuffs and hook and loop fastening strips, such as Velcro.

    While you are on the islands, remove soil, weeds, seeds and pests from your boat, gear and clothes before moving to a new site. Wrap seeds and plant material, and place them in your rubbish.

    Everyone in Queensland has a General Biosecurity Obligation to minimise the biosecurity risk posed by their activities. This includes the risk of introducing and spreading weeds and pests to island national parks.

    See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    The Newry Islands are managed to preserve the area’s natural, cultural and scenic values, and to provide for sustainable recreational use. Only self-reliant, nature-based and ecologically sustainable recreation is permitted.

    Newry Islands National Park is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for the island national parks in the region, and jointly manages the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

    The Newry Islands National Park management is guided by a management strategy.

    Tourism information links

    Mackay Regional Visitor Information Centre
    www.mackayregion.com
    1 Railway Square,
    Sarina Qld 4737
    (Field of dreams parklands)
    Phone: 07 4837 1228
    Fax: (07) 4952 2034
    Email: bookings@mackayregion.com

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.

    • There are currently no park alerts for this park.