What's special?: Fitzroy Island National Park is rugged and diverse with granite outcrops, open woodlands, rainforest, mangroves and coral beaches. Close to the north Queensland mainland, Fitzroy Island National Park is rugged and diverse with granite outcrops, open woodlands, rainforest, mangroves and coral beaches. This high continental island was connected to the mainland before sea levels rose. For thousands of years, the Gungandji people hunted, gathered foods and held special ceremonies on the island they call Kobaburra. Cook gave the island its current name in 1770. The island became a quarantine station for Chinese people heading to the Palmer River goldfields in 1876 and later part of an Aboriginal mission growing fruit and vegetables. Park Features: Several lighthouses have been established over the past 80 years, from a carbide gaslight on Little Fitzroy Island in 1923 to a wartime light built on the ridge above the old lightkeeper's residence in 1943. The lighthouse, which is currently used as an information display, was built in 1970. This was the last staffed lighthouse purpose-built in Australia and probably the world. Today's automated lighthouse is again located on Little Fitzroy Island.