Woody Island and Low Island form the Low Isles, located 15 km north-east of Port Douglas. Visitors are advised that there is a seasonal closure is in place at Woody Island from 29 September 2025 to 31 March 2026 – no public access is permitted. This closure is to protect bird nesting and roosting areas.
Woody Island is vital for pied imperial pigeons, hosting a globally significant population. From September to March, these pigeons fly daily between the mainland and the island. They eat rainforest fruits on the mainland and nest on the island. Additionally, Woody Island is home to other seabirds and shorebirds. This includes sooty oystercatchers, bridled, roseate and black-naped terns, as well as the vulnerable beach stone-curlew.
This closure is part of broader site arrangements. It aims to protect sensitive habitats and bird nesting and roosting grounds at Low Isles. During this time, Low Island at Low Isles remains open to visitors.
The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area has over 1,050 islands. This includes 70 Commonwealth and 980 Queensland islands. Woody Island is a Queensland island, and Low Island is a Commonwealth island. The Low Isles are managed together by the Reef Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service through the Reef Joint Field Management Program.
For more information:
- Check our News and Events for Commonwealth island alerts.
- Visit Queensland National Parks Alerts for related updates., including:
- See our Responsible Reef Practices 'Bird Watching' section for visitation tips.
- For location-specific information, visit our Cairns/Cooktown Site Management page.
Thank you for helping us protect vital habitats and wildlife.
