Coral Sea Islands
The Coral Sea Islands Territory was established as a Territory of the Commonwealth in 1969 under the Coral Sea Islands Act 1969.- Map - Coral Sea Islands (GIF: 365 KB)
The Coral Sea Islands Territory is made up of the islands situated in an area of approximately 780,000 sq km of the Coral Sea extending from the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The coral and sand islands are quite small with some grass and low vegetation cover. There is no fresh water.
Only Willis Island is inhabited with four Meteorological Bureau staff. Unmanned weather stations beacons and a lighthouse are located on several other islands and reefs.
The Coral Sea Islands Act 1969 was amended in 1997 to extend the boundaries of the Coral Sea Islands Territory around Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs. Elizabeth and Middleton are 150 km north of Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea.
- Governance & Administration
Read about the application of law and justice in the Coral Sea Islands on this page. - Environment & Heritage
Much of the Coral Sea Islands is a national Nature Reserve and is administered by both the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia. - History
Read a timeline of historical events that have occurred since the 19th century.