Abrolhos Islands Visitors Guide

Visiting the islands

Access to the Abrolhos

Both commercial and privately owned boats and light aircraft visit the islands. Written notice must be given to the Department of Fisheries' Dongara or Geraldton district offices (phone for further details) of boats intending to visit the islands between 15 July and 20 February the following year.

Private property

The residences, jetties and rainwater tanks designated for the use of commercial fishers on the 22 islands are private property. You may not use the facilities unless you have written permission from the owner. You may not stay in fishers' residences unless the operator responsible for that facility is present.

Preparing for your visit

There is no public accommodation on the islands at present and all recreational visitors need to be well equipped and self-sufficient. Visitors by boat must carry enough food, fresh water and fuel to last the length of the intended visit. Boats must be fitted with communication devices and waste-disposal storage and equipment.

Invitees of commercial fishing licence holders should prepare for their visit by being fully informed of the Visitors' Code of Conduct, minimal impact practices, and general water safety and jetty access rules. Hosts and their guests share a role in ensuring that other fishers' facilities and the island environment are protected and safe for all.

Emergency services and medical assistance

Calls for emergency and medical services and assistance at the Abrolhos can be made by marine radio. Marine radio channels and frequencies are listed in The Official Western Australian Boating Guide, a free publication available from regional and metropolitan offices of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. There is limited CDMA mobile telephone coverage; however, it should not be relied upon in emergency situations.

From 15 March to 30 June only, emergency medical contact can be made with the Abrolhos Silver Chain nurse on VHF channel 16. The Silver Chain nurse is based at Big Rat Island (Easter Group).

Getting about

Unauthorised access to rock lobster fisher camps, jetties and moorings is not permitted. There is a public jetty at East Wallabi Island, and the airstrip is available for private aircraft use. The uninhabited islands can be reached by dinghy and small watercraft, but visitors are reminded that lighting fires, camping and the use of firearms are not permitted.

Under State and federal law, native wildlife is protected on all of the Abrolhos Islands. Please take extra care not to disturb nesting birds when coming ashore. Walk along the shoreline and keep to rocky areas rather than walking across an island or through sandy sections. This way you will avoid destroying nesting bird burrows or scaring birds from their nests at times that may be critical for the survival of chicks or eggs.

Keep to tracks and boardwalks where they exist, particularly in sensitive environments such as sand dunes and mangrove areas, and heed any advice given on signs marking natural and historic features.

Please be considerate

Activities associated with aquaculture and charter tourism occur year-round at the Abrolhos, as does fishing activity and maintenance work at the island camps. Please respect the interests of other users.

Airstrips

There are air strips suitable for light aircraft on each of the following islands: North, East Wallabi and Big Rat. East Wallabi Airstrip is the only airstrip that may be used by general aviators. Geraldton Air charter companies have access to all three strips. A landing and take-off fee will apply to all users of the airstrips. The fee payable is $10 per usage per person.