| Holbourne Island National Park | |
|---|---|
 Holbourne Island, 2007 | |
  Holbourne Island National Park | |
| Location | Queensland |
| Coordinates | 19°43′38″S148°21′32″E / 19.72722°S 148.35889°E /-19.72722; 148.35889 |
| Area | 34 ha (84 acres) |
| Established | 1982 |
| Governing body | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
Holbourne Island National Park is anational park inQueensland (Australia), 983 kilometres (611 mi) northwest of Brisbane.[1]
The island was named Holburn Isle byJames Cook on his1770 voyage in theHMS Endeavour along the Australian east coast.[2] It is now known as Holbourne Island and is protected within the Holbourne Island National Park.[3]
Holbourne Island became well known in 1875, when 18 survivors of the shipwreckSS Gothenburg reached its shores. Four survivors arrived on a damaged portlifeboat on 25 February, where they survived by eating raw bird's eggs and drinking rain water that had pooled in the island rocks. The following day, 14 survivors from a starboard lifeboat also landed. Because rescue was uncertain, the survivorsengraved their names on theconcave side of a largeturtle shell, which is displayed in theSouth Australian Museum, on North Terrace in Adelaide.[4]
On 28 February, 15 of them set off in the starboard lifeboat for an island about 20 miles (32 km) away to the south, which seemed to be more in the track of ships. A rescue ship sent looking for survivors ofGothenburg, picked up the group and took them safely toBowen. The ship subsequently returned to Holbourne Island and rescued the three remaining survivors.[4]
As well as being a national park, Holbourne Island is well known as a natural bird sanctuary and turtlenesting area.[5]
On 2 September 2001, the 50,000gross ton bulk carrierPax Phoenix departed Hay Point, Queensland bound for India via Singapore. While passing Holbourne Island, an oil slick was noticed and described as being 60 to 80 metres (200–260 ft) in width. Although there were concerns about the effect on the island and wildlife, it eventually dispersed naturally out to sea without impact.[6]
Holbourne Island is often referred to as part of theCoral Sea'sBermuda Triangle, as several maritime mysteries are linked to the area.[7]
