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18/08/2005: "LIZARD ISLAND ......Queen of the Isles"
View from half-way up the hill on Lizard Island. I was impressed in 1967 when Wally Muller climbed this small mountain with his bare feet. Not too hard today with the nice track.
What makes this picture historic is the large white 'ship' anchored in the bay.
This is Queen of the Isles which at one time ran a weekly cruise between Cairns and Thursday Island. She called at Lizard on the forward and return journey's - meaning you could hop off and camp in your tent in the National Park for just $3 a night - or pay something like $750 a night at 'the lodge', per person.
Campers (and other boating visitors) are still definately NOT WELCOME beyond the high tide mark but only at the resort's small area of leased land. Elsewhere is National Park. You can fly there from Cairns.
Whatever happened to Queen of the Isles would be an interesting story.
On the trip we had, the ship had mechanical problems after Lizard Island and failed to reach Thursday Island as planned.
The guest book the next week was full of complaints. "Cruise boat to hell" being one of the more entertaining scribbles.
We had a great cruise. A rough old boat but full of charm and a good crew. I just wish the ship was still runnning to TI.
This picture will also show the coral reef that once was located at this anchorage.
As numerous boats have since been there - the coral reef will not and cannot last.
Update: 6 March 2007 - A website for Queen of the Isles has just been started reports former crew member 'Andy'. The ship herslef was lost during a cyclone in the Solomon Islands more recently. Maybe a good story for a movie?
