Houghton Island facts for kids
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Northern Australia |
Coordinates | 14°31′30″S 144°58′23″E / 14.525°S 144.973°E |
Area | 0.73 km2 (0.28 sq mi) |
Administration | |
State | Queensland |
Houghton Island is a small, beautiful island located in Northern Australia. It's a special part of the famous Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This island is also the easternmost island in a group called the Cole Islands National Park.
Discovering Houghton Island
Houghton Island is found about 100 kilometers (that's about 62 miles) south-east of a place called Cape Melville in Queensland, Australia. It is a small island, measuring about 0.73 square kilometers (or 73 hectares). That's roughly the size of 100 football fields!
Island Life: Plants and Animals
Houghton Island is a sand cay, which means it's a small, low-lying island made of sand. It's located about 25 kilometers (about 15 miles) from the mainland coast. Even though it's small, it has lots of plants. You can find many coconut palms and sisal plants growing there.
These plants create a perfect home for many different animals. The island is a popular spot for birds to rest and roost. It's also an important place for two types of sea turtles: green turtles and hawksbill turtles. They often visit the island.