Which Great Barrier Reef island group lies between Mackay and Gladstone in Queensland?

The Capricorn and Bunker groups lie between Mackay and Gladstone in Queensland.

These southern Great Barrier Reef island groups include coral cays and reefs separated from the mainland by the Coral Sea. The Capricorn Group is generally farther north, while the Bunker Group lies to its south. Together they form an important southern section of the reef system.

The groups include well-known places such as Heron Island, Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island. Their cays provide nesting and roosting habitat for seabirds and marine turtles, while surrounding reefs support diverse coral and fish communities.

They are distinct from the Whitsunday Islands, which are closer to the central Queensland coast and are mainly continental islands. The Capricorn and Bunker groups are primarily associated with coral cays and reef environments.