About Frankland Islands
The Frankland Islands are an uninhabited group of five continental islands about 45 km southeast of Cairns in the Coral Sea. Part of Frankland Group National Park and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the islands include Normanby, High, Russell, Round and Mabel. Normanby Island is the main visitor island, known for fringing coral reefs, white sandy beaches, rainforest and significant seabird nesting habitat, accessible only by boat.
Visitors guide
Visitors arrive by licensed boat tour from Cairns or Deeral and land directly on the beach at Normanby Island. Expect a small, undeveloped island with white sand beaches, fringing coral reef close to shore, dense rainforest and mangroves, and a short rainforest walking track. Facilities are minimal and day-use only. Activities centre on snorkelling the reef, swimming, guided marine biology walks, kayaking and relaxing on the beach with views of the mainland and Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
Key highlights
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Part of Frankland Group National Park within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
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Fringing coral reef surrounding Normanby Island suitable for snorkelling directly from the beach
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Uninhabited continental islands with rainforest, mangroves and sandy cays
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Important seabird nesting and turtle nesting habitat
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Day-trip access only via licensed tour operators from Cairns
History of Frankland Islands
The islands were named in 1845 by Captain Francis Price Blackwood of HMS Fly after Rear Admiral Sir Charles Frankland. The group has remained largely undeveloped and was gazetted as Frankland Group National Park in 1936 to protect its natural values within the Great Barrier Reef.
Culture & Context
The islands lie within the sea country of the Mandingalbay Yidinji and Gungandji peoples, who have traditional connections to the islands and surrounding waters. The area is valued for its natural and cultural landscape within the Great Barrier Reef.
Route
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