Ruqayyah Snyder
Willis Island is a tiny island in the Coral Sea, located about 450km east of Cairns, beyond the Great Barrier Reef. 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 operational since 1921. The island experiences a tropical savanna climate, with a hot and wet season from November to April and a warm and dry season from May to October. The unique location of Willis Island offers a picturesque view of the reef and an abundance of wildlife, making it an interesting destination for those seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia, located beyond the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea |
| Distance from Cairns, Queensland | 450 kilometres (280 miles) |
| Size | 500 metres (1,600 feet) long and 150 metres (490 feet) wide, 7.7 hectares (19 acres) in area |
| Elevation | Rises to about 9 metres (30 feet) above sea level |
| Population | 4 |
| Weather station | Established in 1921 and equipped with a radio transmitter to provide early warnings for cyclones |
| Climate | Tropical savanna climate with a hot and oppressive wet season from November to April and a warm, muggy dry season from May to October |
| Average temperature | 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) |
| Precipitation | 1073.4 mm (42.3 inches) |
| Waste management | All waste is placed in bins and shipped back to the mainland for appropriate disposal |
| Vegetation | Grass or scrub cover |
| Bird and turtle species | Masked Booby, Brown Booby, Noddy tern, Red-Footed Booby, Sacred Kingfisher, Lesser Frigatebird |
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What You'll Learn
- Willis Island is the only inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory
- It is located 450km east of Cairns, beyond the Great Barrier Reef
- The island is 500m long, 150m wide and rises 9m above sea level
- It has been a weather monitoring station since 1921
- The island is home to a range of wildlife, including birds and turtles
Willis Island is the only inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory
Willis Island is approximately 500 metres (1,600 feet) long and 150 metres wide, with an area of 7.7 hectares (19 acres). The island rises to about 9 metres (30 feet) above sea level. It has a tropical savanna climate, with a hot and oppressive wet season from November to April and a warm, muggy dry season from May to October. The average temperature is 26.6°C (79.9°F), and the warm Coral Sea waters moderate temperatures, preventing extreme weather.
The island has been inhabited since 1921 when a weather monitoring station was established. Equipped with a radio transmitter, the station provides early warnings for cyclones. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology staffs the station with four personnel, including weather observers and a technical officer, who are deployed for six-month terms.
Willis Island is a tropical sandy cay featuring diverse wildlife. It is part of a larger territory that includes other islands and reefs, such as Heralds Beacon Island, Osprey Reef, and the Willis Group. The territory covers 780,000 square kilometres (301,160 square miles) and is administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories.
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It is located 450km east of Cairns, beyond the Great Barrier Reef
Willis Island is located 450km east of Cairns, beyond the Great Barrier Reef. It is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia, located in the Coral Sea. The island is about 500 metres long and 150 metres wide, with an area of 7.7 hectares (19 acres) and a highest point of around 9 metres above sea level.
The island is part of the Willis Islets, a group of three islands and sandy cays that stretch for about 12 kilometres. It is the southernmost of these islets and is aligned NW to SE. The Willis Islets are important nesting areas for birds and turtles, but they have few natural resources.
Willis Island has been an operational weather station since 1921. It is home to an Australian Bureau of Meteorology weather station, usually staffed by four weather observers, one of whom is Officer-in-Charge, and one Technical Officer (electronic engineering). The weather station provides early warnings of cyclones for Queensland.
The island experiences a moist tropical savanna climate, with a hot and oppressive wet season from November to April, and a warm, muggy dry season from May to October. The average temperature is 26.6 °C, and the warm Coral Sea moderates temperatures, eliminating extreme weather.
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The island is 500m long, 150m wide and rises 9m above sea level
Willis Island is a small island located in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia. It is the only permanently inhabited island in this territory and is positioned beyond the Great Barrier Reef, approximately 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Cairns, Queensland.
The island is part of the Willis Islets, a group of three islands with sandy cays that stretch for about 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) in a NNE to SSW line. Willis Island itself is aligned NW to SE and is quite narrow, spanning only 500 metres (1,600 feet) in length and 150 metres (490 feet) in width. It covers an area of 7.7 hectares (19 acres) and rises to a height of about 9 metres (30 feet) above sea level.
Despite its small size, the island is home to a weather monitoring station operated by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. This station was established in 1921 and is equipped with a radio transmitter to provide early warnings for cyclones. Typically, four weather observers reside on the island, including one Officer-in-Charge and one Technical Officer for electronic engineering.
Willis Island's small parcel of land accommodates eight buildings, including a main building for recreation, kitchen, dining, sleeping, office, and equipment storage. The island's infrastructure has undergone maintenance and refurbishment over the years, and it serves as an important nesting area for birds and turtles.
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It has been a weather monitoring station since 1921
Willis Island, located in the Coral Sea about 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Cairns, Queensland, has been a weather monitoring station since 1921. It is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia, located beyond the Great Barrier Reef. The island is small, measuring about 500 metres (1,600 feet) long and 150 metres (490 feet) wide, with a total area of 7.7 hectares (19 acres). It rises to an elevation of about 9 metres (30 feet) above sea level.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology operates a weather station on the island, which has been providing continuous weather observations since the 1920s. The station typically has a staff of four, including weather observers and a Technical Officer (electronic engineering). These staff members are deployed to the island for a six-month term and rotate every six months. All supplies, including technical, medical, and edible items, are brought over by boat during the changeover.
The weather station on Willis Island plays a crucial role in early warning for cyclones and storms. Cyclone Yasi in 2011 caused extensive damage to the station's equipment and the island's flora and fauna. In December 2023, the staff closely monitored Cyclone Jasper, which passed through the area without causing significant damage. The staff were evacuated by a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) warship as a precautionary measure.
In addition to its meteorological significance, Willis Island offers a unique lifestyle for those stationed there. The isolation and lack of interaction with others can be challenging, but the natural surroundings and vibrant bird life provide a captivating environment. The island features a recreation room with amenities like a pool table, darts, and table tennis, as well as opportunities for fishing and snorkelling. Staff can also stay connected to the outside world through satellite television and internet access.
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The island is home to a range of wildlife, including birds and turtles
Willis Island is a tiny island in the Coral Sea, located about 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Cairns, Queensland. It is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia, located beyond the Great Barrier Reef. The island is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including birds and turtles, which I will discuss in more detail below.
The island's wildlife is varied and abundant, with many bird species calling the island home. Birdwatchers have spotted itinerant Great Egrets, Sacred Kingfishers, and a variety of boobies, including the Brown Booby, the Red-Footed Booby, and the Masked Booby. The island is also a breeding ground for Sooty Terns, which return in great numbers each year. Other bird species include the Noddy Tern, the Crested Tern, and the Lesser Frigatebird.
In addition to the rich bird life, the island is also visited by turtles, which leave their tracks on the southern end of the beach. The warm waters of the Coral Sea provide an ideal habitat for these marine reptiles.
The island's location in the Coral Sea also means that it is surrounded by coral reefs, which provide a habitat for fish and other marine life. The reefs also provide a breeding ground for some bird species, such as the Sooty Terns, which nest on the small islands and cays that dot the reef.
The island's climate is tropical savanna, with a hot and oppressive wet season from November to April, and a warm, muggy dry season from May to October. The warm and humid weather, moderated by the Coral Sea, provides an ideal environment for the island's wildlife to thrive.
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Frequently asked questions
Willis Island is located in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia, about 450km (280 miles) east of Cairns, Queensland.
Willis Island experiences a moist tropical savanna climate, with a hot and oppressive wet season from November to April, and a warm, muggy dry season from May to October. The average temperature is 26.6 °C (79.9 °F).
Yes, you can take a cruise ship that sails around the island, or join the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
Willis Island is about 500 meters long and 150 meters wide, with an area of 7.7 hectares (19 acres). It is the southernmost of the Willis Islets, which stretch for about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles).
Willis Island is home to an Australian Bureau of Meteorology weather station, which has been operational since 1921. The island also has a bistro and cultural sites that can be visited.
