One Tree Island is part of the Great Barrier Reef. With over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching over 2,300 Kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. One Tree Island is one of only two “no-entry” scientific zones on the Great Barrier Reef. Unauthorised boats entering this area can receive heavy penalties.
There is no resort or private housing on One Tree Island, only the research station which is run by the University of Sydney, and managed by our wonderful friends Heinrich and Ruby (and their baby, Lukas).
Our Visit
The most exciting part of coming back to One Tree Island is spending time with Ruby, Heinrich and Lukas, friends who are more like family. To spend time with them on their island home is absolutely magical.
Tim Ruby Lukas Heinrich Helen (Tim didn’t get the blue memo)
The Reef
OTI reefDamselfishGreen Sea turtleRabbitfishHumpback Groper School of parrotfishWhite spotted groperSquid swim blunt end first, seems backwards.MulletAnemonefishClam inside skeleton of boulder coralHelenTurtle taking a breathGreen sea turtleCowtail rayEagle rayBlue spotted ribbontail rayPorcupine rayBoulder star coral (up close)Sea starWhite tipped reef sharkSpotted boxfishTimMushroom CoralMessmate PipefishTim at OTI reef entranceStriped Surgeonfish Moray Eel Longfin GroperDiadematidae sea urchin. We have only seen them glow at night under UV light, but this one was during the dayDiadematidae Sea urchin Moorish Idoldouble saddle butterflyfishGold-barred butterflyfish LionfishSpotnape butterflyfishPennant BannerfishYellow BoxfishCopper band butterflyfishWhite scroll algeaBlue spotted coral troutXinea Soft CoralXinea soft coralVarious reef fishFanwormBranch coralBlack tailed GrubfishResearch cageStinging Hydroid Tim Giant ClamGiant ClamGiant ClamGiant ClamGiant ClamGiant ClamGiant Clam amazing insideGiant ClamGiant ClamGiant ClamGreen turtleCombtooth BlennyBurrowing Sea UrchinHelen Looking back at OTIMoon snail egg mass. About 20cm diameter Sea carpet anemone Green turtleBlack spotted Puffer fishRabbitfishSpaghetti wormPerhaps a Rockcod or Groper. Very well camouflaged Snake sea cucumberParrotfishSunset snorkling
Octopus, masters of disguise. Can you spot them?
OctopusOctopusTim watching an OctopusOctopus Hiding OctopusOctopusOctopusTim very close to the OctopusOctopusOctopus
Spur & groovesResearcher in a Spur & grooveDiving into a Spur & grooveSpur & grooves
Around the island
One Tree Island is a coral cay and part of the Capricorn and Bunker Group of islands. The island has no sand or soil, it is made of coral rubble, thus shoes are essential.
Coral rubble makes up the islandOTIOTIOTIOTI lagoonHelen sorting and labeling ChitonWet labWet labWet labLagoonHelicopters can only land at low tideTim making bird boxs for Bridled TernsTim making bird boxs for Bridled TernsMaster chef in the makingOTIWet labHelen helping with cleaningTim helping outResearcher heading out for samplesHelen & LukasOTIOTIMarine biologist in the makingTIm and LukasUnusual cloud formation over lagoonBeautiful sunsetsBeautiful sunsetsNo light pollution so the stars are bright. Taken on my phoneNo light pollution so the stars are bright. Taken on my phone
Birds
A big part of a coral cay is the bird life. They supply nutrients for the trees to grow. Being spring, there were lots of nests and hatchlings.
Bridled Terns lay their eggs amongst the leaf litter and coral rubble. Eggs and chicks are stolen by seagulls and other birds. Thus the need for bird houses. Seagulls are not native and are difficult to control.
Bridled Tern eggBridled Tern NestBridled Tern NestBird houseBridled Tern Nest on tarpBridled Tern Nesting boxsBridled Tern And chickBridled Tern EggBridled Terns fightingBridled Tern And chick
White-Capped Noddies build flat nests in the trees, they lay one egg. The eggs and chicks are at risk of falling out during high winds or being taken by seagulls while in the nest.
Trees are crowded with white-capped noddy nestsNests are flatToilet has a great view of the noddies on their nestsWhite-capped noddyWhite-capped noddyWhite-capped noddIesWhite-capped noddy and chickWhite-capped noddy and chickWhite-capped noddy and chickWhite-capped noddy and chick
Buff-banded Rails make their nests in the undergrowth. They lay two or three eggs. We didn’t see any eggs or nests, but lots of chicks when they hatched.
Buff -banded RailsBuff -banded Rail and chickBuff -banded Rail and two chicksBuff -banded Rail and chickBuff -banded Rail and chick
Egrets are common on OTI but we only saw adults at the waters edge.
EgretEgretEgret
Heading home
After two wonderful weeks it was time to say our sad goodbye. From One Tree Island we headed to Heron Island to meet the ferry back to Gladstone.
Heron Island, waiting for the ferryOTI boat, Linckia Sharks in the harbour at Heron Island. A wonderful place to snorkel.
