Why Visit Upolu Cay?
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Think of its beginnings!
Upolu Cay is a small island of sand formed on top of coral reefs. The “sand” of the cay is actually reef animal skeletons and other debris! The Cay takes shape as waves curve around the reefs and deposit sediment at the calm point on the leeward end of the reef.
Upolu Cay started “life” as no more than an exposed sand bank which grew larger and became more stable as more sediment was accumulated. However it is still a dynamic sand pile constantly changing its shape with weather conditions. So the Upolu Cay of yesteryear is quite different to its present form!
Upolu Cay has no vegetation on it at present. However this may change in the future. See our other destination Green Island to see how a cay can continue to transform into a tropical Island. Both quite different destinations but with the same humble beginnings!
Where did Upolu Cay gets its name?
Upolu Cay and Reef are named after the schooner Upolu owned by William Pitts of Sydney, which struck reef on Easter Sunday 25th April 1886. The crew salvaged stores picked up the day before in Townsville and ferried them to a sand cay 3 miles away, where they spent the night. The crew set sail for Port Douglas in a lifeboat on 27th March and was eventually picked up by the Bulimba off Cape Grafton on May 4th.
What is the connection with the Aborigines?
Upolu Cay and reef are part of the traditional sea country of the Yirranydji, Mandingalbay Yidinji and Gungandji people.
Upolu’s Involvement with Research and Monitoring
Upolu Reef is one of the reefs surveyed every 3 years as part of the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences Long Term Monitoring Programme.
