Frankland Group National Park

Park Island national park protecting coral reefs and islands

A chain of small rainforest-covered islands off Queensland’s coast; boat trips bring snorkellers to fringing coral reefs, and visitors spot seabird colonies, green sea turtles and short coastal walks on white-sand beaches.

Frankland Group National Park protects a small cluster of continental islands and their fringing coral reefs off the coast of Far North Queensland. The island group conserves coastal rainforest, seabird habitat and reef systems in a marine-setting national park.

Visitors typically visit on boat-based day trips for snorkeling, reef viewing and birdwatching; beaches and coral-fringed shallows make the islands popular for short recreational visits. The islands are undeveloped and managed for conservation, with no permanent visitor accommodation on the islands.

The islands are part of the coastal mosaic of islands and reefs in Far North Queensland and are managed under Queensland’s parks system to conserve marine and island habitats. Over time the islands have been used intermittently for traditional and small-scale recreational uses but are primarily conserved for biodiversity and reef protection.

The park lies off the Queensland coast in Far North Queensland, seaward of the coastal towns of the Cassowary Coast and the broader Cairns region; access is from mainland boat-launch points for commercial and private vessels.

Access: Access is by boat only; day-tour operators run snorkeling and reef-visit trips from nearby mainland towns.

How to Get to Frankland Group National Park #

Access is by boat from coastal launch points near Innisfail and Mission Beach; local operators run charters to the islands. Road access to launch towns is via the Bruce Highway (A1).

Tips for Visiting Frankland Group National Park #

Boat charters that include snorkeling and birdwatching are the most practical way to experience the Frankland Group islands.
Visit during the dry season (May-Oct) for clearer seas and better visibility for snorkeling.
Respect protected areas and local nesting sites - some islands are closed during bird-breeding seasons.