Useful information
Mornington Island is the largest of the North Wellesley Islands located in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The town of Gunana (a Lardil word) was founded in 1914 and is the primary residence of the majority of the Shire’s population.
Mornington Island is located about 125kms north-west of Burketown, 200kms west of Karumba, and 444kms from Mt Isa. Mornington Shire incorporates twenty-one of the twenty-two islands and has an area of 1,248.4 square kilometres.
The Wellesley Islands are remnants of the mainland now submerged by the syncline that formed the Gulf of Carpentaria and are essentially flat platforms with little relief. There are substantial areas of intertidal flats and fringing reefs associated with most Islands. After the end of the Ice Age, approximately 6,500 years ago, rising sea levels reached their current height. Before this change, the Wellesley Islands formed a peninsula that was part of the Carpentaria mainland.
Before traveling / relocating to Mornington Isand, take the time to read the below information which will help make your stay more enjoyable. Please remember that Mornington Island is a designated ‘Restricted Area’ under an Alcohol Management Plan. Learn more about what this means and how to ensure you understand your responsibilities when visiting our island here.
Photo courtesy of Des Milican
Getting here & Getting around
REX Airlines fly five days a week to Mornington Island from Cairns and Mt Isa.
Car hire
You can now book your island rental through Miyala Car Hire, a locally owned and operated service.
Phone: 0487 714 615
Email: bookings@morningtonislandcarhire.com.au
Website: www.morningtonislandcarhire.com.au
Services
The island has a number of businesses servicing residents, including a supermarket, variety store, kiosk, butcher, and bakery (supplying direct to the supermarket). The Australia Post service is currently operating from the Gununamanda Supermarket.
Mornington Island does not have a banking service. It is recommended you arrange to have internet banking and direct debits for bills etc set up before you arrive. The general store, kiosk, and butchers all have EFTPOS facilities to purchase goods. There are ATM’s located at the Council Office and General Store to withdraw cash. Please note, these ATMs can empty very quickly. Council can also do third-party banking and EFTs for a fee.
The island is serviced by the Telstra Network. Free Wi-Fi is available through the Council’s Community Wi-Fi service in public areas.
Freight
Carpentaria Freight offers a weekly barge service to Mornington Island, Sweers Island and Bentinck Island via Kurumba (with a fleet of trucks travelling directly between Cairns and Kurumba). Many of the islands residents receive goods, including large grocery orders, via the barge. They have a depot in Cairns to assist with customers freight which can be coordinated from Cairns, Brisbane and Mt Isa to the island. This is NOT a passenger barge. For more information contact them directly.
BYO Vehicle
If you are considering bringing a private or work vehicle to Mornington, you will need to contact Carpentaria Freight to arrange barge transport from Karumba.
Email: contact@carpentariafreight.com.au
Phone: (07) 4745 9331
Website: www.carpentariafreight.com.au
Cultural awareness training
Are you visiting Mornington Island, or relocating there for work?
The Mornington Island Cultural Awareness Program was developed in 2007 as an interactive information session for visitors to Mornington Island.
Mornington Shire Council subsequently endorsed this program as mandatory for all visitors working or providing a service on Mornington Island and for Mirndiyan Gununa (Mornington Island Arts and Culture Centre) to deliver the program.
As it is an interactive program it is an opportunity for visitors to ask questions regarding cultural protocols, current services delivered on the Island and any general information you would like to know. Get in touch with Mirndiyan Gununa on 0418 224 953, email miart@morningtonisland.com.au or visit their facebook page for more information.
Gym
The gym is located behind the Kiosk. Users are responsible for keeping it in a clean and tidy state and are asked to report any problems to Council.
Organise your membership and key deposit with Council once you arrive.
Weather & Cyclones
Mornington Island has two seasons, Wet and Dry.
Wet Season
The Wet season (Dec-May) can start early in November and can bring heavy rains and cyclones throughout the season. During this time, conditions can be very humid and hot, with beautiful electrical storms common.
Dry Season
The Dry season (May-Nov) is considered ideal weather by most. It can bring high wind gusts up to 40km/hr lowering the temperatures, so it is advisable to bring some warm clothes as there asre days and weeks when the temperatures fall below 20°C (brrrrr).
Cyclones
Cyclones can occur anytime through the Wet Season and into the early months of the Dry. It is imperative that you listen to all cyclone watches and warnings, and adhere to any requests to prepare. This includes having a cyclone kit up to date and packed.
Familiarise yourself with the Bureau of Meteorology website and social media pages to keep track of any storms which may be building in our region. Visit www.bom.gov.au for more information.
Water safety - be croc wise
The waters surrounding Mornington Island are habited by saltwater crocodiles and swimming is not advised. This includes allowing your dogs to enter the water.
Fishing from the jetty is allowed however caution is recommended as shark, crocodile and sea snakes have been sighted.