A large tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef, which Captain James Cook visited in 1770 to make observations of the surrounding Queensland coastline, has been put up for sale and is expected to sell for as much as $20 million.

Situated near Stanage, between Rockhampton and Mackay – at the gateway to the Whitsundays – Quail Island spans 1950 hectares of hilly countryside ringed by private beaches.