Barn Island

It is the double shaped island that you can see from the mainland NPA, from Umagico as well as Seisia and Loyalty Beach.


Its very distinctive double shape reminds a bit of the Double Island in Cairns, (northern Beaches, Palm Cove), 


... but Barn is obviously far more remote and (as opposed to Double Island) thankfully that means no resort.

If you have a boat, you can take off from Seisia boat ramp, next to the wharf.

The water is usually beautifully blue and you get a glimpse of the coastline.



The island is actually very close, it is surprising how quickly you get there.



And as you approach you can see more and better just how small it is, you can just about count all its trees.



As opposed to Double Island (the direction of which is more east to west),



... Barn aka Parau Island lies in north southerly direction,



... meaning its long sides are the eastern and the western side.



The western side is the windier one and consequently has the best beach,



... but the eastern side also has beaches, particularly in the northern end.



In the middle there is a little hill which you can see from far away,



... and in each end are higher hills.
 


The middle is narrow so you can easily walk from one side to the other,



... and with some time you can climb the hills.



The beaches are beautiful with shells and pieces of coral,



... and the vegetation is lovely with some casuarina and pandanus palms.



The waters are nice all the way around,



The northern side can be rougher if the winds pick up.



On the way back to Seisia you pass by the Red Island,



... and there is a shipwreck if you look closely.



It is worth waiting for a calm day, or time of the day that is less windy.

Plan Your Trip... the FREE Cape York Travel Pocket Guide

Get this 50 pages guide totally for FREE. It contains information that helps you getting started with planning of your trip. You get to make early-stages desicions such as when to go, how long time you should take, how to get there and get around, where to stay (general info), what will it cost.. and a short insight to what is there to see and do in Cape York.

Plan and Bring to the Trip... the full Destination Cape York Travel Guide

This complete 300 pages travel guide is all you need before and during your trip. Besides the background chapters on the peninsula's history and wildlife; and the comprehensive detail about all the places (down to prices, opening hours and full contact detail), it has invaluable information on at least 10 four wheel drive tracks, at least 30 guaranteed FREE camping spots on the Cape (and at least 150 on your way to the Cape), at least 40 best swimming holes, all mapped; as well as practical things - from fuel, roads, wireless internet and mobile phone reception, how to deal with the national parks booking rules; and Aboriginal land entrance and camping permits and alcohol restrictions - to vehicle preparation and accessories and necessary recovery gear by my vehicle-recovery-guy partner). Not to mention locals' tips on how to spot that croc and palm cockatoo ;-)

If you liked the books or this website, let others know about it! 

Link to it from your website, your blog, your forum post... Share it on Facebook, Tweet about it...



Every link helps other travellers!

Thank you for doing the right thing and letting others know :-)