66 Australian Geographic
WHEN TO GOThe dry season for Queensland’s
tropical north is May–October,
with maximum temperatures rang-
ing from the mid- to high-20s,
with similar water temperatures.
The wet season (November–April)
brings the potential for cyclones.
GETTING THEREReach Keswick by plane (the
journey takes 12 minutes) or boat
(one hour). Check for freight/
luggage allowances if you’re
travelling with food or sporting
equipment. There are six boat
moorings off Keswick in the
Egremont Passage. Cockermouth,
Scawfell and St Bees islands are
only accessible by private boat.
WHERE TO STAYHoliday homes and cabins are
available to rent on Keswick, the
only island to offer this. There are
two national park camping
grounds: Victor Bay (up to six
people) and Singapore Bay (12
people). A new private camping
ground at Basil Bay has toilets,
showers and cooking facilities, and
can be booked by calling Keswick
Developments on 1300 889 290.
Other spots to camp on the islands
SOUTH CUMBERL AND
ISL ANDS NATIONAL PARKinclude Turtle Beach on St Bees (24
people), and one camping ground
each on Cockermouth, Penrith
and Scawfell islands (12 people
each). None of these sites have
facilities. Permits are required.
Book online at parks.nprsr.qld.
gov.au/ or by calling 13 74 68.THINGS TO DO
Popular walks on Keswick Island
include hikes to Langton Point
headland, Connie Bay, Arthur Bay
or the beehives. On St Bees youcan climb from Honeymoon Bay
to see the koalas. Snorkel at the
Coral Gardens or Basil Bay on
Keswick or dive the shipwrecks of
the Singapore (1877), Llewellyn
(1919), and Cremer (1943), off
both Keswick and St Bees.POINTS OF INTEREST
1 Bushy Islet(^2) Refuge Bay camping ground
3 Cockermouth’s pleistocene-era
reef (visible at low tide)
4 Turtle Bay camping ground
(^5) Connie Bay
6 Langton Point headland
(^7) Keswick Island beehives
8 Whale-watching in the
Egremont Passage
9 Basil Bay
(^10) Honeymoon Bay
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/
south-cumberland-islands
http://www.keswickisland.com.au
http://www.mackayregion.com
http://www.megaforcecharters.com.au
Sky scape. An aerial view of
St Bees, right, and Keswick, left,
reveals the drowned nature of
this island group’s landscapes.