Masthead Island

Masthead Island is a 45ha coral cay with surrounding reef, located northeast of Gladstone and is part of the Capricornia Cays National Park.

The island features a green and loggerhead turtle rookery. Spring to summer sees turtles breed in the calm waters of the reef lagoon. From late October to February, female green and loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest above the high tide mark. After 7-12 weeks incubation in their sandy nests, the turtle hatchlings emerge and scramble down the beach to the sea.

Masthead Island is also a popular spot for nesting seabirds. It supports the second largest Pisonia grandis forest in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and is surrounded by a fringe of tough small trees and shrubs, mostly coastal sheoaks, octopus bushes and pandanus palms.

Camping is permitted on Masthead Island from Easter until 14th October. During the period 15th October until Easter the following year the island is closed to minimize human impact on emerging turtle hatchlings, breeding seabirds and vegetation. Further closures may also occur from time to time for management and conservation activities, and during emergencies such as impending cyclones. A limit of 50 people applies and bookings are taken up to 11 months in advance for the first day of camping. Campers must be self-sufficient and take water and a fuel stove.