Palfrey Island

Palfrey Island

Palfrey Island
Geography
Location	Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Coordinates	14°41′33″S 145°26′47″E
Archipelago	Lizard Islands
Major islands	Lizard Island
Area	7 km2 (2.7 sq mi)
Administration
Australia
State	Queensland
Local Government Area	Shire of Cook

Palfrey Island is part of the Lizard Island Group and south of Lizard Island proper, being 270 km north of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. There is an automated lighthouse structure situated on this island.

Geography

Lizard Island is a high granite island about 7 square kilometres in size, with three smaller islands nearby (Palfrey, South and Bird). Together these islands form the Lizard Island Group and their well-developed fringing reef encircles the 10 metre deep Blue Lagoon.

The only settlements on the island are the Research Station, the Lizard Island Resort operated by Delaware North Australia Parks & Resorts and a basic camping area operated by the Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service.

All islands in the Lizard Island Group are part of the Lizard Island National Park, administered by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Lizard Island is situated in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, administered jointly by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency. Permits are required for all manipulative research in the Lizard Island Group and the waters surrounding it.

The Lizard Island Group is a mid-shelf reef, situated 30 kilometres from the Australian mainland. Most reef and island types characteristic of the Great Barrier Reef are accessible from the Research Station.

Historic significance

During his epic voyage of 1770, Captain James Cook climbed the peak on Lizard Island to chart a course out to sea through the maze of reefs which confronted him.