Herald Island (Queensland) facts for kids
Herald Island is a small, uninhabited island located in Halifax Bay, Australia. It's found south of the larger Great Palm Island group. To its northwest is Magnetic Island, and to its northeast is Rollingstone, Queensland. Herald Island is known for its natural beauty and its important role as a training area.
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Exploring Herald Island
Where is Herald Island Located?
Herald Island sits in Halifax Bay, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It is part of a group of islands in this area. The closest island to Herald Island is Rattlesnake Island. Other nearby islands include Cordelia Rocks, Bramble Island, and Acheron Island.
A Special Training Area
Both Herald Island and Rattlesnake Island are used as special training areas. Since 1942, the Australian Air Force and Army have used these islands for live firing practice. This means that real ammunition is used during training exercises. Because of this, there is a chance that unexploded ordnance (old bombs or bullets that didn't go off) might be found on the islands. For your safety, warning signs are placed on all the beaches. These signs tell you about the danger.
Life on the Island
Herald Island does not have any fresh water stored on it. However, if you visit the southern end of the beach, you might find a dry creek bed. If you dig there, you might be able to find some water. The plants on the island are not very thick. You will mostly see Mitchell grass and She-Oak trees. The Australian Air Force and Army use the island for survival training. This helps soldiers learn how to live off the land in tough conditions.
Visiting Herald Island
There are no buildings or facilities of any kind on Herald Island. This means there are no shops, toilets, or places to stay. The water channel between Herald Island and Rattlesnake Island is only safe for boats to anchor when the weather is calm. Herald Island itself does not have any sheltered bays where boats can hide from strong winds. The best place to land a boat is on the northwestern end of the island.
Sometimes, the islands are closed to the public for training. Information about when the islands are closed is announced in the local newspaper, the Townsville Bulletin. It tells you the exact dates and times the island will be closed.
