| Mellish Reef |
|
Mellish Reef
Mellish Reef is an external territory of Australia centrally located in the Coral Sea approximately 1,080km East of Cairns (Queensland), 1,150km NNE of Brisbane (capital of the "Sunshine State" Queensland) and 1,100km West of Port Vila (Vanuatu). Time zone is the same as Queensland ie; UTC +10 hours.
The reef itself is approximately 10km long by 3km wide but is totally submerged when the sea is above half tide. The only land mass is Herald's Beacon, a 300m x 60m sand cay which stands two metres above the high water line. There are no lights or beacons as such and can be difficult to approach. The reef is sparsely vegetated which is home to tens of thousands of nesting seabirds of all species, a large population of nocturnal hermit crabs and a myriad of sand flies and lice. The nearest point of habitation is the Bureau of Meteorology facility on Willis Island about 644km away on a bearing of 280�. Appealing, isn't it!
Above - Base camp from the 1984 DXpedition. Picture by Jan Wakulicz
The co-ordinates of Herald's Beacon are;
17� 24' 39" South 155� 53' 25" East