Newry Islands National Park is a pristine island group within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, off the central Queensland coast near Mackay. The islands are surrounded by fringing reefs and crystal-clear waters, offering sheltered snorkeling among vibrant coral gardens. This secluded park comprises several small, mostly uninhabited islands with sandy beaches and rocky headlands, providing a true escape into untouched reef habitat. The calm, shallow waters around the islands make for excellent snorkeling conditions, with abundant marine life visible just below the surface.
Newry Islands National Park
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Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 2.6 sWind Speed 2.1 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Marine stingers (box jellyfish / Irukandji)
Stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) may be present in coastal waters during the warmer months. Wear a stinger suit for protection.
Low risk: Tidal currents
Tidal currents can flow between the islands and around reef edges, especially on larger tidal movements.
Low risk: Sun exposure
Strong sun exposure with high UV index typical of tropical Queensland. Sun protection essential.
Low risk: Marine park zoning restrictions
Marine Park zoning restricts some activities. Check zone maps before anchoring or fishing.
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Getting in
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Entry
Newry Islands National Park is located off the coast near Mount Ossa, Queensland, approximately 100 km north of Mackay. Access is by private boat or chartered tour from the mainland. The island group is part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at nearby mainland boat ramps (e.g., in the Mount Ossa/Seaforth area).
No entry fee for the national park, but boat access and tours are at own cost.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports