About Possession Island

Park features

Possession Island (approximately 502ha) and Eborac Island (approximately 5ha) support a range of plant communities including open woodlands of bloodwoods, low open woodlands of acacias and melaleucas, scattered areas of open heath and tussock grasslands, sparse grasslands and bare saltpans, with evergreen vine forest restricted to wet slopes and moist gullies.

During the Australian Bicentenary celebrations in 1988, a monument was erected on Possession Island in recognition of the declaration of possession of the east coast of Australia by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770. This landmark of historical significance stands high on a headland above the beach where Cook made his declaration and hoisted the flag.

On Eborac Island, the lighthouse plays an important role for shipping navigation in the waters of the Torres Strait.

• Read more about nature culture and history of Possession Island National Park.

Looking after the park

• Everything in the park is protected. Please leave everything as you found it.
• Do not feed wildlife. It can affect their health and alter the natural population balance.
• Domestic animals are prohibited.
• Lighting fires is not allowed.
• Please take your rubbish when you leave.
• Do not enter caves or mines. Female bats carry their babies clinging to their undersides but as the young bats grow, they are left behind in crèches in the mine. If disturbed, the bats may fly out in panic causing large numbers of young bats to fall to the floor where they may die, significantly threatening the survival of the colony.

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 and clean out your backpack and hand, beach or camera bags and check them carefully before your visit, as pests love to hide in stored 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

Possession Island National Park (510 ha) comprises Possession and Eborac islands. It is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to preserve the natural, cultural and scenic values of the area. To maintain these values, only self-reliant, nature-based and ecologically sustainable recreation activities are permitted.

Tourism information links

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