The Low Isles Preservation Society (LIPS) is a conservation group dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Low Isles, and the marine, coastal and historic values of the surrounding areas.

In 1992, the Australian Maritime Authority announced it was removing the lighthouse keepers from Low Isles and automating the lighthouse. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), to whom the title was to be transferred, was uncertain of the future of Low Isles, and at a community meeting expressed concerns of under-resourcing. Local Douglas Shire community members stepped up to the challenge, creating a working group to organise a public meeting to rally support for saving Low Isles from being exploited by unsustainable visitation and use.

Over 200 local residents attended the meeting, voting to form an incorporated organisation to protect and protoe Low Isles, and to further education. A steering committee was elected, and they spent hundreds of volunteer hours creating a draft proposal for the protection of Low Isles through community participation and involvement in caretaking. Thus LIPs was born, with the proposal well received by all stakeholders, including GBRMPA and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). Confidence in the model of voluntary community engagement was demonstrated by the grant of $1.5 million in Federal government funding.

The community became involved in the co-management of low isles, and in developing programmes designed for research, interpretation and protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

At present, a voluntary executive committee runs LIPS. Full time caretakers are employed by GBRMPA, and reside on the island. LiPS volunteers continue their involvement by acting as relief caretakers , being involved in maintenance and restoration projects on the island, and conducting pied imperial pigeon counts.

LIPS Committee for 2024-2025

President Carmel Pasma

Vice President Deb Eastop

Secretary Jayne Miller

Treasurer Col Musson

Non Committee General Members

Projects Renata Musson

Fundraising Lili Jansen

Newsletter Leanne Kruger

PIP Count Coordinator Dusty Howman

About Low Isles

Low Isles is an inner patch reef 15 km north-east of Port Douglas. It is composed of a small coral cay ( Low Island) and a larger mangrove island (Woody Island), growing on top of senile coral reef. It has ecological importance due to the co-existence of a number of fully developed marine and terrestrial ecosystems.The combination of coral cay and mangrove island type is unique to the Great Barrier Reef. The hook-like shape, which provides a sheltered lagoon, is also an excellent refuge and an ideal feeding ground for a large population of adolescent turtles.

At Low Isles is an important Indigenous cultural site for both the KuKu Yalanji and Yirraganydji people. The sea country of both groups overlaps at Low Isles, and the islands are known as ‘Wungkun’ to the local Indigenous people.

English explorer, Captain James Cook, recorded the existence of the islands in 1770 during his voyage to Australia. He described Low Island as “a small low island”. It was officially named Low Isles in 1819.

A lighthouse was built on the coral cay in 1878. It was the tenth commissioned by the Queensland Government to help create the longest shipping lane in the world. There was a continuous presence of lighthouse keepers on Low isles up until 1993, when the lighthouse became automated.

Between 1928 – 1929, Low Isles was the site of the first detailed scientific study of a coral reef anywhere in the world. The expedition, led by Dr C.M. Yonge aimed to study the life processes of coral and of the formation and maintenance of the reef. More than 20 renowned natural scientists spent up to 13 months at Low Isles. Results from the expedition were published by the British Natural History Museum in six large volumes. The expedition created a set of base line data, which is invaluable today for comparison with modern research, in order to study change on the Great Barrier Reef.

Access and Management

The island can only be accessed via vessel (e.g. private vessel, or commercial tour operator). Wherever possible, tour operators run daily operations to/from Low Isles at specified times. However, during periods of extreme weather and/or low tourism, tour vessels may cancel operations and access to/from Low Isles may be limited. 

Low Island is owned by the Reef Authority and managed through the RJFMP. The island contains a Commonwealth Heritage listed lightstation, including an operational lighthouse (managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority under a lease arrangement with the Reef Authority), and associated cottages and ancillary buildings including:

• Head Lightkeepers Residence

• Assistant Lightkeepers Residence (includes ‘Yonge Room’ education/research facility) 

• Relief Lightkeepers Residence (includes workshop)

• New Power House (includes Remote Area Power System)

• Old Power House (includes interpretive museum)

• Old Fuel Store (fuel/chemical/equipment storage)

• Boat House (tour operator equipment storage)

• Wastewater treatment plant

• Public toilets

Low Island is also Commonwealth Heritage listed for its significance to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji and Yirrganydji people as part of their dreamings.

Low Island is powered by an off-grid remote area power system. The island has its own rainwater supply and filtration system, and waste-water treatment plant. The public toilets are a composting toilet design. 

Low Isles has very high visitation (average 50,000 people/year). Day visitors access Low Isles through regular commercial tourism operators (including four operators with daily access, some conduct multiple tours each day), or recreational vessels to conduct in-water, beach and island walk activities. Standard hours of visitation are sunrise to sunset, with peak visitation occurring between 8am and 5pm. Occasionally, researchers, contractors, volunteers and Rangers are permitted to stay in the facilities overnight for management purposes.

From September through to March, Low Isles provides important nesting habitat for pied imperial pigeons and bridled terns. During this period, the island is loudly abuzz with birds, eggs and hatchlings, and can require an adaptive approach to management and maintenance activities. 

Community volunteers conduct monthly bird surveys in the bird nesting season, and provide assistance with relief caretaking and other volunteer activities. 

The special values of Low Isles and the adjacent waters are protected through marine park zoning, and site-specific management arrangements regulated by the Cairns Area Plan of Management.