History

Keswick Island was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770, then renamed after the Cumbrian town of Keswick, UK in 1879 by SS Llewellyn's Commander EP Bedwell, RN. Over the years, Keswick Island has remained largely untouched as farmland, until 2008 when Keswick Developments Pty Ltd attained the parent  leasehold for the island. Eighty percent of the island is designated as National Park, while twenty percent has been set aside for small to medium scale development. There are currently around 20 completed homes, and 14 permanent residents living on the island.

Getting There

Located 32km NE of Mackay, Keswick Island is the southern most Whitsunday Island in the Cumberland Group of Islands. Charter flights are available from Mackay Airport, and take 15 minutes to reach the island. Up to 450kg can be carried on board in passengers and freight. Helicopter flights are also available from Mackay airport for a thrilling ride by the adventurous. Reef Star Cruises conduct weekend trips to the Whitsunday Islands, and private boats can also reach the island within an hour. There are facilities for 6 moorings in Egremont Passage where boat craft can safely anchor.

Activities

Visitors to Keswick Island enjoy beautiful sub-tropical weather during most of the year with water temperatures around 26șC in summer, and 20șC in winter. Wet season is usually around Jan-March each year. June is the coldest month with temperatures going down to approximately 15șC, and summer months enjoy a temperate 30șC on average.

Suitable activities for guests to the island include swimming, hiking, bird watching, fishing, oystering, flying fox  viewing at sunset, snorkelling, kayaking, beach combing, reef walking at low tide, or hill climbing. Humpback whale watching is a common pass-time during the northern migration in July to September. Photographers will always find many natural photo opportunities to take advantage of. Some years during certain conditions, swarms of tiger blue butterflies abound in millions to create a breathtaking sight.
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Keswick Island Walking Trails Map
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2012 Tide Chart
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BOM Tide Predictions

Need To Know

Keswick Developments Pty Ltd are committed to OH&S. It is a requirement that all visitors to the island undergo a brief induction on arrival. This will be done as part of the meet and greet. One golf buggy per holiday home will be provided for guests use on the sealed roads on Keswick Island, subject to the driver having a current and full Motor Vehicle licence and signing a Condition of Use Agreement. A Motor Vehicle Licence must be sighted before being permitted to drive a Golf Buggy. Instructions will be given to all buggy drivers.

Additional information:

 
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Holiday Home Golf Buggy Agreement & Conditions of Use