Fantome and Orpheus islands

We decided to continue north rather than detouring to the reef, as it's still a long way out from where we are and several days' calm weather is required. And, we now have limited time before the winds change and we have to go south again. We made our way to Juno Bay on Fantome Island, where there had been an Aboriginal leper colony in the 20th century. It was abandoned in the 70s following a fire, though remnants of buildings etc. remain. This is another one of many tragic events in the history of Queensland that don't seem to be well publicised. 

We then headed on to Orpheus Island, where there is plenty of fringing coral. With a full moon almost upon us some of the coral was quite exposed at low tide.

Fantome Island

A memorial to the nuns who ran the leper colony. Presumably also to the people who had leprosy? Maybe one day we will see memorials to Aboriginal people who were massacred, poisoned and died or suffered from European diseases. More.

Current occupants of Fantome Island

Coral at Orpheus Island

View to Hinchinbrook Island at sunset with 50 foot Lagoon catamaran.
Captain is wondering how they cope in such cramped conditions ...