Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Understand

These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983 it became a national reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve. This is a difficult travel destination due to restrictions on access and being in the area of illegal boat movements. Understanding its location is a useful reference point for understanding boats and their passage between Indonesia and Australia. Monitoring of, or patrolling of the location is, in all probability, a part of the Australian government's policies of controlling illegal immigration.

Commonwealth Marine Reserves Branch, toll-free: 1800 069 352, [email protected].

History According to Australian literature, Cartier Island was discovered by Captain Nash in 1800, and named after his ship Cartier. Ashmore Island was discovered by Captain Samuel Ashmore in 1811 from his ship HMS Hibernia and named after him. Ashmore Island was annexed by the United Kingdom in 1878, as was Cartier Island in 1909. A British order-in-council dated 23 July 1931 stated that Ashmore and Cartier Islands would be placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia when Australia passed legislation to accept them, and formal administration began two years later. The Commonwealth's resulting Ashmore and Cartier Islands Acceptance Act 1933 came into operation on 10 May 1934, when the islands formally became a territory. The act authorised the Governor of Western Australia to make ordinances for the territory. In July 1938 the territory was annexed to the Northern Territory, then also administered by the Commonwealth, whose laws, ordinances and regulations applied to the Northern Territory. When self-government was granted to the Northern Territory on 1 July 1978, administration of Ashmore and Cartier Islands was retained by the Commonwealth. In 1983, the territory was declared

Getting there

It is a protected area. Only the east beach and west corridor of the West Island Lagoon of Ashmore Island are open to the public. Cartier Island is off limits due to unexploded ordnance. For most of the year, the Australian Border Force ship Thaiyak is in the vicinity. For access to any other part of the Ashmore Islands or any part of Cartier Island, a permit from the Australian government is required. For the accessible West Island Lagoon, there is no landing strip. Visitors must arrive by boat, and those visiting must use visitor-designated moorings (buoys in the lagoon). If none are available, you can only anchor in sand, taking care to keep clear of the corals. Anchoring in or near the coral is not permitted. There are separate moorings for the authorities, which may not be used. Most visitors arrive by own yacht, but there have been one or two commercial tours a year. The moorings are designed for different vessels. The heavy duty ones are suitable for a typical 20-m yacht in winds up to 15 m/s, for a typical 12-m yacht in winds up to 25 m/s.

Buy

There are no shops. You must bring everything you need.

Eat

Subsistence fishing in the area accessible to the public, for immediate consumption and for one day of sailing, is allowed, but restricted to some species and specific methods, and might require a general permit. Any other food has to be brought. Campfires are not permitted.

Drink & nightlife

There is a well at the beach, and after rain there may be water elsewhere. These may be infected with cholera, bring your own or check with the administration.

Sleep

Your boat is the only option, unless you have permits for other arrangements. No camping.

Go next

If due to an accident you find yourself in the area of these islands and their reefs - the Indonesian island of Roti is 144 km north, and Australia's north west coast is over 300 km to the south. Mind the Timor Current driving you to the southwest.

Indonesia Australian mainland