Nov., 1928 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
102 
A NATURALIST S HOLIDAY ON THE GREAT 
BARRIER REEF. 
By John Nebe. 
It is well known that there is a great Barrier Beef 
almost the whole length of the Queensland coast, which 
formation is of coral. To most people this formation, its 
marine life, and beauty are not known. Indeed a person 
must see for himself before lie can realise such wonderful 
display of Nature. The southern portions of the Great 
Barrier Reef are the Bunker Group, which consists of 
Lady Musgrave Island, Fairfax Island and Hoskvn Island, 
and is about sixty miles (60) miles east of Bundaberg. 
Further northward are the Capricorn Group, the most 
important islands of which are North-west Island, Heron 
Island, and Masthead Island. There are many more small 
islands as well as reefs, which only show above the water 
at low tide. Each island is surruonded with a reef which 
is in most cases very extensive. These groups of islands 
and reefs extend for 100 miles. I was fortunate in being 
a member of a nature study party last November and 
December, and the experience gained on such a perfect 
holiday will be remembered for all time. The few weeks 
passed much too quickly, and I am looking forward to- 
spending another holiday at such a good and healthv 
spot. The party I became attached to was arranged in 
the south ; many came from various States, and it was 
surprising that only a few Queenslanders took part in it. 
The southernmost portion of the Barrier Reef, consisting 
of the above islands, can lie visited with reasonable ex- 
pense. 
The summer months represent the best time to study 
bird life there, as numerous sea birds then make these 
islands their nesting places; the turtles are laying their 
eggs at this time of the year. Fishing is not good in the 
summer, and was somewhat disappointing. 
Lady Musgrave Island has an area of about 40 acres. 
It is one of the best islands for observation of Noddy 
Terns, a bird the size of a pigeon, black in colour with a 
white capped head. The trees are literally swarming 
with these birds. The trees are rather stunted on this 
island, as compared with some other islands in the same 
group; no undergrowth exists on the whole island, being 
long ago eaten off by the numerous goats which inhabit 
this place. By all appearances there is nothing to eat 
and drink for the goats, and yet they number about three 
