Damon Mcknight
Willis Island is a tiny island in the Coral Sea, located off the Queensland coast about 450 kilometres from Cairns. It is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia. The island is home to an Australian Bureau of Meteorology weather station, which has been continuously inhabited since 1921, except for about ten months in 2011-2012 when Cyclone Yasi chased meteorologists away. The island is also known for its vibrant bird life, including wedge-tailed shearwaters, migrating boobies, and sooty terns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Territory | Coral Sea Islands Territory |
| Location | 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Cairns, Queensland |
| Area | 7.7 hectares (19 acres) |
| Population | 4 |
| Highest point | 9 metres (30 feet) above sea level |
| Inhabitants | Wedge-tailed shearwaters, sooty terns, common and black noddies, masked boobies, brown boobies, red-footed boobies, lesser frigatebirds |
| Infrastructure | Main building housing recreation, kitchen/dining, sleeping, office and equipment room, personal living accommodation, meteorological equipment enclosure, 7-metre-high (23 ft) radar tower, dome |
| Weather station | Australian Bureau of Meteorology weather station, established in 1921 |
| Cyclone monitoring | Early warning station for Queensland |
| Entertainment | Satellite television with Australian and international channels, video library |
| Communication | Amateur radio operations, two-way radio with ships |
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What You'll Learn
Willis Island is an external territory of Australia
Willis Island is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory. It is home to a weather station operated by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, which has been in operation since the 1920s. The weather station is staffed by four weather observers, one of whom is the Officer-in-Charge, and one Technical Officer (electronic engineering). The team lives and works on the island for six-month postings, with little contact with the outside world. They launch weather balloons twice a day, grow their own fresh herbs and vegetables, and obtain fresh water from a desalination plant.
The island is an important early-warning station for Queensland, monitoring tropical cyclones and storms. In 2011, the eye of Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi passed directly over Willis Island, causing extensive damage to the observing facilities and resulting in a significant loss of flora and fauna. The Bureau of Meteorology implemented a program of infrastructure works to restore the observing capabilities and rehabilitate the island's flora, as well as a schedule of environmental improvements to increase energy efficiency and minimise waste.
Willis Island is a popular destination for cruise ships, which often sail around the island without docking due to its small size. Visitors can listen in on radio conversations with the weather observers and enjoy the picturesque views of the island and its surrounding reef.
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It is located in the Coral Sea Islands Territory
Willis Island is located in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia. It is the only permanently inhabited island in the territory, located about 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Cairns, Queensland, beyond the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea. The island is tiny, measuring only 7.7 hectares (19 acres) and rising to about 9 metres (30 feet) above sea level. It is the southernmost of the Willis Islets, a group of three islands that stretch in a NNE to SSW line for about 12 kilometres (7.5 miles).
The island is home to a weather station operated by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, which has been continuously inhabited since it was established in 1921, except for about 10 months in 2011-2012 when Cyclone Yasi forced meteorologists to evacuate. The weather station plays a crucial role in providing early warnings for cyclones and storms, and its staff of four weather observers, including an Officer-in-Charge and a Technical Officer, launch two balloons daily to record weather data.
The island has a vibrant bird life, with species such as wedge-tailed shearwaters, sooty terns, and common and black noddies. Bird cries continue day and night, and several species of booby migrate through the island. The isolation of Willis Island offers a unique lifestyle for its inhabitants, who have limited contact with the outside world during their six-month postings. They grow fresh herbs and vegetables to supplement their food stocks and rely on a desalination plant for freshwater.
Willis Island is a popular destination for cruise ships, which often sail around the island without docking to avoid overwhelming its small population. Visitors can listen in on radio conversations with the weather observers and enjoy the picturesque views of the island and its surrounding reef.
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The island is home to an Australian weather station
Willis Island is a tiny island in the Coral Sea, located off the Queensland coast about 450 kilometres from Cairns. It is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia. The island is home to an Australian weather station, which was established in the 1920s to serve as an early warning beacon for cyclones and storms. The weather station has been providing continuous weather observations for over 90 years, except for about 10 months in 2011-2012 when Cyclone Yasi forced meteorologists to evacuate.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has a team of four weather observers living and working on the island, one of whom is the Officer-in-Charge. The team launches two balloons a day to record the weather and grows fresh herbs and vegetables to supplement their food stocks. They also have a desalination plant for fresh water. The weather station is one of the world's most remote, and the team has little contact with the outside world during their six-month postings.
The island is quite small, covering only 7.7 hectares, and is home to a vibrant bird life that includes wedge-tailed shearwaters, migrating boobies, and sooty terns. The island's infrastructure has been improved over the years, with a focus on increasing energy efficiency and minimizing waste. In 2023, the meteorology staff was evacuated by a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) warship before Cyclone Jasper passed through the area, causing little damage to the island.
Willis Island is a fascinating and remote destination that can be visited by cruise ship. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the isolation and beauty of this tiny island while learning about the important work of the weather station staff.
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It is a popular cruise destination
Willis Island is a popular cruise destination. As the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia, it is a fascinating out-of-the-way destination for those looking for an adventure. The island is located some 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Cairns, Queensland, and is a tiny speck in the Coral Sea—a two-day boat journey from Cairns.
Its remote location and picturesque surroundings make it an appealing destination for those seeking a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience. The island is home to a diverse range of birdlife, including wedge-tailed shearwaters, migrating boobies, and sooty terns, offering nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers a rare opportunity to observe these species in their natural habitat.
Cruises to Willis Island often involve sailing around the island rather than docking, as the island's small size and delicate ecosystem must be considered. The Celebrity Solstice cruise ship, for example, offers passengers the opportunity to circle the island and listen in on radio conversations with the weather observers living there. This provides a unique and interactive experience, combining the excitement of exploration with the comfort and convenience of a cruise holiday.
For those seeking a more active adventure, Willis Island and the surrounding area offer excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities. Osprey Reef, part of the Coral Sea Islands Territory, is one of Australia's best dive sites, renowned for its reef shark feeding spectacles. With its natural amphitheatre and daily shark-feeding action, it has become a highly sought-after diving destination.
Willis Island's isolation and unique environment offer a captivating and memorable cruise experience. Its remote location, diverse wildlife, and proximity to exceptional diving sites make it a popular choice for those seeking a combination of relaxation and exploration in a less-travelled destination.
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The island has a unique marine climate
Willis Island is a tiny island in the Coral Sea, located about 450 kilometres (280 miles) from Cairns, Queensland. It is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia. The island is home to an Australian Bureau of Meteorology weather station, which has been continuously inhabited since it was established in the 1920s, except for about 10 months in 2011-12 when Cyclone Yasi forced meteorologists to evacuate.
The Willis Island team has little contact with the outside world during their six-month posting. They launch two balloons a day to record the weather and grow fresh herbs and vegetables to supplement their food stocks. They also have a desalination plant to provide them with fresh water.
The island is quite isolated, and until recently, it was one of the only BOM weather stations that had not moved to automation. The staff on the island usually consist of four weather observers, one of whom is the Officer-in-Charge, and one Technical Officer (electronic engineering).
In addition to its unique marine climate, Willis Island also faces the challenge of waste management. Old asbestos cement sheets occasionally wash up on the island, requiring collection and disposal in accordance with Queensland Government EPA legislative requirements. The Bureau of Meteorology has also implemented several environmental improvements, including increasing energy efficiency, minimizing waste generation, and improving the island's grey water recycling system.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Willis Island is an external territory of Australia.
Willis Island is located in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, beyond the Great Barrier Reef, about 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Cairns, Queensland.
Willis Island is a tiny island, measuring about 500 metres (1,600 feet) long and 150 metres (490 feet) wide, with an area of 7.7 hectares (19 acres) and rising to about 9 metres (30 feet) above sea level.
Willis Island is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory. It is home to an Australian Bureau of Meteorology weather station, usually staffed by four weather observers, one of whom is the Officer-in-Charge.
Yes, you can visit Willis Island by taking a cruise or joining the Australian Bureau of Meteorology team. However, it is a very remote and isolated location, and access may be limited to protect the sensitive environment.
