Images Dated 5th January 2014

IBE00647

Heron Island
aerial view. With a resort and a research station run by the University of Queensland the coral cay has a fringing platform reef of significant biodiversity, supporting around 900 of the 1500 fish species and 72% of the coral species found on the Great Barrier Reef. The eastern half of the island forms part of the Capricornia Cays National Park. Heron Island is also a major Green and Loggerhead turtle nesting site.
Heron Island, Capricorn-Bunker Group, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (World Heritage Area), Queensland, Australia

Teapot and flask at the window opening of a miner's cottage in ghost town

Teapot and flask at the window opening of a miner's cottage in ghost town. Gwalia was a gold-mining town. Underground mining began in 1897 at the Sons of Gwalia mine that became the largest and deepest in Australia. The mine closed in 1963 and the population disappeared almost overnight. Gwalia, near Leonora, Goldfields region, Great Victorian Desert, Western Australia

Masonic Lodge, built in 1899 of timber and galvanised iron with pressed iron interior

Masonic Lodge, built in 1899 of timber and galvanised iron with pressed iron interior. Corrugated iron, easily carried by camels, was much used in gold mining areas at this time. the Lodges claim to fame is that it is the largest free-standing double-storey building of corrugated iron in the South Hemisphere. It last served as a lodge in 1979. Cue, East Murchison region, Western Australia