About M ellish R eef

  

Mellish Reef is an external territory of Australia centrally located in the Coral Sea. It's approximately 1150km NNE of Brisbane the capital city of Queensland (VK4), 1080km East of Cairns, and 1100km West of Port Vila the capital of Vanuatu. 

Time zone is the same as VK4 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 600m x120m 

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. 

Birds everywhere !!!

Click on the button below to see this image full-size.

 

The reef is home to thousands of nesting seabirds of all species, a large

population of nocturnal hermit crabs and a myriad of sand flies, ticks and lice.  

 

Nearest point of habitation is the Bureau of Meteorology facility on

Willis Island about 644km away on a bearing of 280°.

 

Mellish Reef Location data:

Latitude:

17° 24' 39" South

Longitude:

155° 53' 25" East

 CQ Zone: 

 30 

 ITU Zone: 

 56 

 IARU Region: 

 3 

 Grid Locator: 

 QH72wo 

 IOTA: 

 OC-072