Wilson Island (Queensland)

Wilson Island is an island in the Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] It is one of eight vegetated coral cays in the Capricornia Cays National Park.[3] It is located north of the Tropic of Capricorn,[4] approximately 72 kilometres (45 miles) north east off the coast of Gladstone, Queensland and 15 kilometres from nearby Heron Island.[5] It is part of the Capricornia Cays Important Bird Area.[6] It is also part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Wilson Island
Queensland
Wilson Island
Nearest town or cityGladstone
Coordinates23°18′16.07″S 151°54′56.26″E
Area2 ha (4.9 acres)[1]
Managing authoritiesQueensland Parks and Wildlife Service

History

The island is named after Sub-Lieutenant William T.P. Wilson of HMS Waterwitch.[2][7]

Wildlife

Wilson Island is an important turtle and bird rookery fringed by a white coral beach and covered with pisonia forest.[8] The Capricorn silvereye, a small bird endemic to the southern Great Barrier Reef, is present. From November to March, the island is home to wedge-tailed shearwaters and green turtles laying their eggs. The island is closed during the month of February for the bird nesting season.[9] From January to April, baby green turtles hatch and make their way into the sea, while from June to September, humpback whales can be seen going to and from their winter feeding grounds.

Resort

The island's primary land use is as an exclusive resort, which is run by Aldesta Hotel Group. A total of eighteen guests can stay on the island at any given time, with nine tents providing accommodation.[10] Access to Wilson Island is by boat from nearby Heron Island, which is also owned by Aldesta Hotel Group.

See also

References
  1. "Wilson Island fact sheet". Delaware North. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  2. "Wilson Island – island in the Gladstone Region (entry 37610)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  3. "Capricornia Cays National Park". EPA/QPWS. Archived from the original on 24 May 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  4. "Capricornia Cays National Park map" (PDF). Department of Environment and Resource Management. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  5. "Wilson Island Getting There". Delaware North. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  6. "IBA: Capricornia Cays". Birdata. Birds Australia. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  7. "H.M.S. Waterwitch". New Zealand Herald. 9 March 1895. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  8. Gough Henly, Susan (15 September 2007). "Barefoot bliss". The Age. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  9. "Wilson Island, Great Barrier Reef". Delaware North. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  10. MacDermott, Jacqui (1 June 2003). "It's a jungle out there, so order a G&T". The Observer. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
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