Part of the Palm group of islands and within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, Orpheus Island offers secluded, sheltered bays, spectacular fringing reefs and interesting geology.

Part of the Palm group of islands and within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, Orpheus Island offers secluded, sheltered bays, spectacular fringing reefs and interesting geology.

Orpheus Island is about 12 kilometres long and varies from one kilometre to 2.5 kilometres wide. It is hilly, has rocky headlands and sandy beaches and covers an area of 1300 hectares.

The island is composed of volcanic rocks that formed around 280 million years ago. Molten rock intruded into cracks in the granite bedrock, forming distinctive ring dykes. A spider web pattern of dykes is seen on the headlands and rocky shores.

Dry woodlands of Moreton Bay ash and acacias (wattles) dominate the island. Scattered rainforest grows in gullies and sheltered bays, featuring figs and macaranga trees with their large distinctive heart-shaped leaves. Grasslands also occur in small irregular bands across the island.

Several mammals and reptiles are found on the island. Many species of birds can also be seen, including terrestrial birds such as the orange-footed scrubfowl, and seabirds such as ospreys and egrets.

Fringing reefs surround the island and are part of the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.