Denham Island is located in the Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula. It covers an area of 1,052 hectares and is classified as an undeveloped island. The island has a low population density, with only six permanent residents as of February 2016. The island is accessible only by boat and is used for cattle grazing and picnicking.
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History
Denham Island was first sighted by Europeans in 1606, when the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan sailed past it on his way to discover Australia. The island was named after Rear Admiral William Denham, who commanded a British warship which unsuccessfully attempted to seize the island from the French in 1770.
The first permanent settler on Denham Island was John Jolly, who arrived there in 1871. The island saw a brief period of military occupation during the Torres Strait conflict in 1941, when it was temporarily occupied by Japanese forces.
The island received international media attention on 14 October 1976 after Geraldton fisherman Doug Rainer survived being stranded there for a record-breaking 16 weeks, suffering dehydration and other ailments (see below). He spent nearly three months at sea before making his way to Maningrida Island where he underwent further treatment.
Climate
Denham Island has a tropical climate with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. The island is subject to cyclones, and experienced severe flooding in 2014 caused by Tropical Cyclone Donna. In 2008, an experiment conducted for the Geraldton RAAF Base in which five test subjects survived on Denham Island for 16 weeks was highly publicized. The Australian Federal Police also have a base at Denham Island and there is a lighthouse (with generator) operated by the Department of Defence with pennant number 7631119.
Culture
The island is home to a small Aboriginal community, who have been living there for generations. The culture of the community has been largely influenced by European settlers, and includes traditional dances and music.
Peak visitation season is November through March. The island’s name comes from the colour of its flowers, azure. The white-flowering tree known as “Denhamia sericea” produces flower spikes in early summer and all through autumn with pale pink fragrant blooms.
Politics
The island is part of the Torres Strait Islands Regional Council.
Geraldton fisherman Doug Rainer became stranded on Denham Island in October 1976 after his fishing trawler was damaged by a storm while out at sea.
After 16 weeks stranded on the remote island, he was found and rescued by a passing whaling vessel and taken to Maningrida Island where he underwent extensive medical treatment. The story received international media attention, prompting several.
Government services
A limited number of government services are available to visitors, including a post office, police station and hospital.
Fishing is the main economic activity on the island. The only road access is by boat or air. No viable tissue culture methods have been developed for Denhamia plants. The major focus of this research has been to advance the knowledge and use of tropical flora as a source development species in biopharmaceutical processes, including immunotherapy approaches.<ref name=”Taylor 2009″></ref> For example, works on edible fungi are investigating development and culturing techniques to produce new types of enzymes possible candidates could be incorporated into nutraceutical foods.
Tourism
Denham Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Torres Strait, with a mix of traditional dances and music as well as beautiful healthy beaches. The island offers stunning views over the Coral Sea and several freshwater lakes – perfect for swimming, fishing or kayaking. There are also ruins from an old whaling station on the island which provide fascinating insight into life on Denham during its early days.
Transport
The only way to get to Denham Island is by boat or air. Visitors can either arrive on the island by sea, via the Torres Strait ferry from Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia, or by air transport through Darwin International Airport. In June 2018, the Queensland Government announced that it would build a museum at Denham Island as part of its contributions towards building a Torres Strait Waterfront. It is anticipated to be constructed in collaboration with Indigenous organisations and local landowners will receive funding for consultation processes (at least for one area).
Cuisine
Denham Island has a mix of traditional Torres Strait cuisine with some modern additions, such as fast food and takeaway restaurants. There are also several cafes and bakeries where visitors can enjoy fresh local produce. Some of the more well-known dishes include chicken liver pate, fish ‘n’ chips and banana split pie. The residents of Denham island are strong traditional dancers ,Cas well asthemembers of the Torres Strait Islander Australian Aboriginal theatre group. In 2016 the had a return performance at Darwin’s Tropical Treasures Garden Festival.
Wildlife
Denham Island is home to a large variety of wildlife, including green and brown turtles, whistling ducks, eagles and an array of mammals such as kangaroos, wallabies and wombats. The island also has a population of bats which are attracted to the region’s abundant fruit trees. Ways to Prepare
There is no drinking water available on the island, so visitors should bring plenty with them. Plastic water bottles are advised to be brought as there are few other options for safe drinkable liquid; bottled mineral or spring water can also be purchased at local stores and grocery shops. To counter dehydration during Denham’s hot climate, it is recommended that visitors carry salt tablets or a multi-vitamin in their luggage.
Conclusion
Denham Island is a nature reserve in the Gulf of Carpentaria, about 80 km north of the town of Cooktown, Queensland, Australia. It is part of the Cape York Peninsula World Heritage Area. The island is accessible only by boat and has a permanent population of around 30 people. The island’s name comes from Captain Charles Sturt, who in 1843 named it after Colonel Denham, the Governor-General of New South Wales.
FAQ
What Does The Denham Island Nature Reserve Offer Visitors?
Denham Island is a nature reserve that offers visitors access to an extensive range of wildlife habitats, including rainforest, wetlands and grassy plains. The island also has a small population of people who live there year-round.
What Does Denham Island’s Vegetation Look Like?
Denham has soaring tropical rainforest that is home to numerous animal species, including tree kangaroos and wallabies. The island also supports an abundance of shrubs, flowering plants and grasses where birds such as sugar gliders can be found foraging. Visitors are encouraged to watch the wildlife dance around them during sunset at this nature reserve located in Queensland’s Gulf country .
What Threats Does Denham Face?
The island has faced a number of disturbances along its history, such as fires and droughts. However, the main threat for scientists is human development due to tourists looking for untouched nature areas. The small population residing on this tropical island should also be concerned about their state of environment or lifestyle because there are no natural resources here aside from lush greenery.
How Was Early Settlement Attempted Once It Had Been Named Denham Island?
A ship called the “James”, captained by Charles Sturt, first made landfalls on Denham in 1844. A year later however, another vessel visited and took souvenirs of old grubs from one of its flanks. The island was known to harbor extraordinary wildlife until a devastating fire severely scorched it almost 200 years ago .
What Is This Species Range?
It is believed that the island supports an outlying population of free-ranging wallabies and many other animal species. The tree kangaroo, a black coloured meat eating creature can be found on Denham Island .
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