Indigenous People

Aboriginal people of the Ngaro tribe inhabited the Whitsundays for at least 8000 years prior to European settlement.

Evidence of their occupation can be found in authentic cave paintings at Nara Inlet, Hook Island and in a stone quarry on South Molle Island, where stone axes and other cutting tools have been found.

Fish traps which clearly demonstrate Aboriginal use of the marine environment, are also located throughout the area.

European Discovery

In 1770, the Cumberland Islands were discovered by Lieutenant James Cook. on Pentecost, or Whit Sunday (the seventh Sunday after Easter) Lt. Cook sailed through and named the passage between the northern islands, the Whitsunday Passage.

Not typical tropical islands but
the tips of the submerged cumberland range the Whitsundays are surprising and stunning. Covered in hoop pines and grasses they are vibrant green in colour with amazing wind carved rock formations.

Surrounded by fringing coral reefs and an ocean that changes from deep blue to turquoise, beaches from a brilliant silica white to broken coral.