Wilson Island, Coral cay in Queensland, Australia

Wilson Island is one of eight vegetated coral cays in Capricornia Cays National Park, about 72 km north-east of Gladstone and 15 km from Heron Island. It is fringed by a white coral beach and covered with pisonia forest, within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The island was named after Sub-Lieutenant William T.P. Wilson of HMS Waterwitch during surveys of the Great Barrier Reef in the 1800s. These maritime mapping expeditions documented this coral region and its islands for navigation and scientific purposes.

The island serves as a nesting ground for several seabird species that inhabit the dense forest vegetation. Visitors who come here can observe these birds in their natural habitat, though access is carefully managed to protect breeding colonies.

The island is accessible by boat from Heron Island, though visiting requires planning since access closes during specific periods to protect nesting wildlife. Bringing water and shade protection is essential, as the island offers minimal facilities for day visitors.

Wilson Island is one of eight vegetated coral cays in Capricornia Cays National Park, and the Capricorn silvereye, a small bird found only on the southern Great Barrier Reef, lives in its pisonia forest. The island closes for the whole of February for the bird nesting season. Humpback whales pass offshore from June to September, not during the January-April turtle hatching.