Quail Island (Northern Territory)

Quail Island is an island in the Northern Territory of Australia in the Beagle Gulf about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the territory capital of Darwin.

Quail Island
LANDSAT true color image of
Quail Island Group, Northern Territory, Australia
Geography
Coordinates12.519°S 130.435°E / -12.519; 130.435
ArchipelagoQuail Island Group
Total islands3
Administration
Australia
TerritoryNorthern Territory
RegionTop End
BayBeagle Gulf
LocalityBynoe Harbour[1]

Quail Island belongs to the Quail Island Group. The other two islands in the archipelago are Bare Sand Island (southwest of Quail Island) and Djadjalbit Island (south).[2]

The islands are known for being a breeding ground for flatback turtles.[3]

History

On 9 October 1881 when SS Brisbane, an 85.8 metres long passenger, cargo and mail ship, built by A & J Inglis, Pointhouse, Glasgow, struck the nearby Fish Reef, while heading there with cargo from Hong Kong.[4]

Quail Island Air Weapons Range

The Quail Island Air Weapons Range was used a training ground for defense forces from 1945 to 1979.[3] There are large munitions scattered around the island as a result. A three-year clean-up began in 2011 to remove hazards such as unexploded ordnance.[5] Visitors such as tourists and recreational anglers have been banned from the islands during the clean-up process.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Localities within Un-Incorporated area (map)" (PDF). Northern Territory Government. 29 October 1997. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  2. "Northern Territory islands off-limits while ADF clears bombs". The Australian. News Limited. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  3. "Quail Island Group". 7:30 NT. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  4. "WRECK OF THE BRISBANE". Illustrated Australian News. No. 311. Victoria, Australia. 5 November 1881. p. 206. Retrieved 30 September 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Islands closed for unexploded bomb disposal". ntnews.com.au. News Limited. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2012.


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