Willis Island Lighthouse

Willis Island Lighthouse is located on Willis Island, the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory, an external territory of Australia. The island is situated approximately 450 kilometers east of Cairns, Queensland, and is the southernmost of the Willis Islets. The lighthouse itself is a metal skeletal tower with a quadrangular shape, and is part of a weather monitoring station established on the island.

The weather monitoring station was established in 1921, equipped with a radio transmitter to provide cyclone early warning services for Queensland. The station is typically staffed by four weather observers who rotate every six months. The island has a significant role in monitoring weather patterns, including cyclones, and has recorded extreme weather conditions such as Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

The Willis Island Lighthouse and weather monitoring station have an interesting history, with the first officer in charge being John King Davis. The station has played a crucial role in providing early warnings for cyclones and other severe weather events, and continues to operate to this day. Despite being a remote outpost, the island has a small population of four staff members who live and work on the island, providing vital weather monitoring services for the region.

Light and tower

The NGA list of lights numbers it 9886. The Admiralty list of lights numbers it K3206.55.

Videos

Willis Island 🏝 Coral Sea, Australia 🇦🇺 #willisisland #australiatravel #coralsea

6th July 2023 - Willis Island - Scenic Cruising

6th July 2023 - Willis Island - Scenic Cruising

The Willis Island [Island in The Coral Sea] - territorial anthem (vocal)