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Queensland is a state of Australia that occupies the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. The area that currently forms the state capital, Brisbane, was originally the Moreton Bay penal colony, intended as a place for recidivist convicts. The state later encouraged free settlement, and today Queensland’s economy is dominated by the agricultural, tourist and natural resource sectors.Queensland is often nicknamed the Sunshine State, since it enjoys warm weather and a sizeable portion of the state is in the tropics.

Cairns was named after William Wellington Cairns (then Governor of Queensland). It was formed to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield

Cairns is a popular travel destination for foreign tourists because of its tropical climate and proximity to many attractions. The Great Barrier Reef can be reached in less than an hour by boat

The Michaelmas Cay is 43km north-east of Cairns, extends to a one nautical mile radius around and is managed as a Sensitive Location.

Sensitive Locations are identified as having special values (nature conservation, cultural and heritage, scientific or use values).

Very few vessels are now permitted access to this very sensitive island and there are now only three vessels that travel daily that are permitted access to the Cay. If you would like to stand and walk on this special island you will need to travel on one of this

Michaelmas Cay is one of the most important seabird breeding sites within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park thus making it one of the prime tourist destinations offshore from Cairns (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service)

The waters surrounding Michaelmas Cay are designated Marine National Park (Green) Zone. This area is a 'no take' zone and extractive activities like fishing or collecting are not allowed.

Michaelmas Cay National Park is one of the most important seabird breeding sites in the Great Barrier Reef.

It is the only destination within the Cairns area of the Great Barrier Reef providing an opportunity for visitors to experience a seabird rookery with high species diversity and large populations.

Sooty terns (Onychoprion fuscatus -formerly Sterna fuscata)

The small, low sand cay covered by grasses and low-growing plants is an ideal habitat for thousands of ground nesting seabirds.

Over 16 species of seabirds have been recorded on Michaelmas Cay, with up to nine of those using the island for breeding.

During the summer months, when nesting is at its peak, more than 20 000 birds have been observed.

Cairns

Sound: Anne Kirkpatrick - Out Of The Blue

Pictures and arrangement: Sanda Foişoreanu www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda