Repulse Island National Park

Park Island national park with coral and seabird colonies

A small offshore island group in Queensland, Repulse Island National Park conserves seabird colonies and nearshore marine habitat; boat trips and snorkeling around reefs draw day-trippers from the mainland.

Repulse Island National Park is an island national park off the central Queensland coast of Australia that protects an offshore island and adjacent marine habitat.

Visitors find a small island environment with shoreline and reef habitat; there is little or no visitor infrastructure on the island, so visits are typically short and focused on wildlife observation and snorkeling around the reefs.

Declared and managed by the Queensland government as a protected area, the park’s primary purpose is the conservation of island and marine ecosystems rather than tourism development.

Located off the central Queensland coast, the park sits offshore from the mainland coastal region in the state of Queensland and is reached by boat from nearby coastal towns.

  • Access: Accessible only by private boat or organised tour boats, with no visitor infrastructure on the island itself.
  • Conservation value: Protects offshore island and nearshore marine habitats important for seabirds and reef species on the central Queensland coast.

What to See #

  • Repulse Island: Repulse Island itself is the main landmass within the protected area and provides nesting habitat for seabirds and roosting sites used seasonally.
  • Fringing reefs and marine habitat: Fringing coral and nearshore reef systems that surround the island and form part of the marine values the park protects.
Repulse Island National Park
Repulse Island National Park, Whitsunday region, Queensland
-20.5990, 148.8794
Access by permit or commercial operator; park fees may apply

How to Get to Repulse Island National Park #

Repulse Island National Park is reached by private boat or commercial day-boat from Airlie Beach and other Whitsunday operators. Access is sea-dependent and subject to conservation rules; check Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service guidance and local operator schedules.

Tips for Visiting Repulse Island National Park #

  • If planning a boat trip, hire a local operator familiar with reef channels and tides.
  • The islands are fragile-avoid landing on sensitive nesting beaches during breeding season.
  • Snorkelling is excellent; bring reef-safe sunscreen.

Best Time to Visit Repulse Island National Park #

A small island national park in the Whitsundays protecting reef, beach and island habitat; commonly visited by day-boat operators.

Dry season
May-Oct · 18-28°C
Calmer seas and clearer water; best time for boating and snorkelling.
Wet season
Nov-Apr · 24-32°C
Warmer but more rain and occasional cyclone risk; some services limited.

Weather & Climate near Repulse Island National Park #

Climate

Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in February) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 17°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2572 mm/year), wettest in February with a pronounced dry season.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
17°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is hot with highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C. Heavy rain (350 mm).

Comfort

28°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
25° 31°

Weather

350 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is the hottest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 26°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (632 mm).

Comfort

28°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
26° 31°

Weather

632 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C. Heavy rain (356 mm).

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
25° 30°

Weather

356 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 23°C. Heavy rain (325 mm).

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
23° 28°

Weather

325 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (237 mm).

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
21° 26°

Weather

237 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
18° 23°

Weather

138 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
17° 22°

Weather

112 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
17° 23°

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 28 mm.

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
19° 24°

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
21° 27°

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 29°

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C. Significant rainfall (195 mm).

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
24° 30°

Weather

195 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

Nearby Attractions to Repulse Island National Park