Travel Eye on Brampton Island (Queensland, Australia)

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Overview:

Brampton Island is a tropical haven of white sandy beaches, coral reef and national park to explore. Exotic birds live in and around the untouched forests and the island ensures that this natural environment is well protected. The activities on offer at Brampton are endless, ranging from beach volleyball to scenic flights and champagne cruises. Brampton is actually a small mountainous island no more than 3 mls long. The highest point is Brampton Peak at 718 ft, reached by a hiking track through the tropical forest which covers most of the island. The resort, however, has lots of elegant old coconut palms as it was formerly a palm nursery. Hemp also grows naturally. It is a national park and the waters around it, a marine national park. It has a variety of fauna including kangaroo, koala bears, bats, lizards, butterflies, turtles, humpback whales in winter and lots of birds. The original resort dates back to 1933 and has plenty of history. Currently owned by the P&O Group.

Locality:

Located just off the Queensland coast, at the entrance to Whitsunday Passage in the Coral Sea, 20 mls NE of the principal mainland town of Mackay, its national airport and harbour. 50 mls from the Great Barrier Reef, 680 mls NW of Brisbane, 650 mls SE of Cairns and its international airport. Although actually one of the Cumberland group of islands, it is often considered as belonging to the Whitsunday group just to the N. Linked by a ¼-ml sand spit at low tide to neighbouring Carlisle Island, which dominates the view from the resort. In a strait between the two, just to the W, is pretty little Pelican Island, which can also be reached on foot at low tide.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Brampton Island is particularly suited to couples, honeymooners and some families (young children are not really catered for). There is also plenty of interest for animal and bird spotters. Due to the island being a good distance (nearly 2 hrs by boat) from the Great Barrier Reef it is not ideal for serious scuba divers, but good for snorkelling locally on the fringing reef: uniquely, the reef in the strait has been signposted to create a self-guided snorkelling adventure trail.

The resort beach at Sandy Point is fine, light, golden coral sand with sand spits being a feature. Seven other beaches are accessible via a forest track and water sports are only available for about 4 hrs a day owing to low tide; care needs to be taken for all water activities, as tides and currents are strong at certain times of day; resort staff will advise when and where is safe.

Common attractions on the island include archery, volleyball, golf, tennis, badminton, table tennis, beach cricket, bird feeding (11am daily), boules. Water sports here include snorkelling (see also "Market/Suitability"), paddle skis, windsurfing, catamarans, water-skiing, speedboat tow rides, fishing, jet-ski tours of the island. Bush walks, guided history walks, frond-weaving lessons, sarong tying, wine tasting. By night there is a resident band a casino night and themed dinners to drive forward the evening entertainment. Popular excursions include cruises to or around other islands including the Whitsundays, dive trips to the Great Barrier Reef and fishing trips.