Indian Head (also known as Tukkee) is a coastal headland on the eastern (ocean) side of Fraser Island (also known as K'gari and Gari) off the coast of Queensland, Australia.[1][2]

Indian Head
Tukkee (Batjala)
Indian Head as viewed from Middle Rocks
Indian Head as viewed from Middle Rocks
Coordinates: 25°00′00″S 153°21′59″E / 25.00000°S 153.36639°E / -25.00000; 153.36639
LocationK'gari
Offshore water bodiesCoral Sea
GeologySand
Native nameTukkee (Batjala)
Highest elevation40 metres (130 ft)
View south from beach
View south from headland

Geography

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The landmark is the most easterly point on the island and a popular tourist destination.[3] Indian Head is located at one end of Seventy Five Mile Beach.[citation needed]

The outcrop consists of trachyte that was originally formed by volcanic activity 30 million years ago.[4]

History

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The headland was named by Captain Cook when he passed it on the evening of 19 May 1770, noting "...on which a number of Natives were assembled...".[5] The term "Indian" was used at that time for the native people of many lands. The headland is known as Tukkee in the Badtjala language, meaning stone or stone knife.[1]

Attractions

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Climbing Indian Head provides 360° views as well as good wildlife spotting opportunities, such as manta rays, sharks and whales. Camping around the headland is not permitted.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Indian Head – cape in the Fraser Coast Region (entry 47541)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Fraser Island – island in the Fraser Coast Region (entry 47533)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b Hinchliffe, David; Julie Hinchliffe (2006). Explore Fraser Island. Robe, South Australia: Great Sandy Publications. pp. 84–85. ISBN 0-9758190-0-3.
  4. ^ Cohen, B. E.; Vasconcelos, P. M.; Knesel, K. M. (February 2007). "40 Ar/ 39 Ar constraints on the timing of Oligocene intraplate volcanism in southeast Queensland ∗". Australian Journal of Earth Sciences. 54 (1): 105–125. doi:10.1080/08120090600981483. ISSN 0812-0099.
  5. ^ Captain Cook's Journal During the First Voyage Round the World at Project Gutenberg