Warul Kawa Indigenous Protected Area

Warul Kawa is an Indigenous Protected Area on a sand cay located in the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea. The reserve features shallow reef platforms with sandy patches that create diverse marine habitats in this region.

The area received official protected status in February 2001 and was integrated into Australia's National Reserve System. This designation brought traditional Indigenous land management practices into the country's formal conservation framework.

The name Warul Kawa means Island of Turtles in the language of Torres Strait Islanders, reflecting the place's importance as a major breeding ground. Visitors walking the sandy areas can observe how the landscape connects directly to the marine life that thrives in these waters.

Reaching this remote sand cay requires planning since regular transport connections are limited and special arrangements are needed. Visitors should contact local authorities before traveling, as the protected area has strict access guidelines.

A Danish sailor called German Harry lived as a hermit on the island from 1888 to 1928 and later inspired a character in Somerset Maugham's writing. This unusual chapter reveals the long connection between this place and the people drawn to its isolation.