Solitary Islands marine park

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Network: Temperate East

Marine park area: 152 kilometres²

Depth range: 15 – 70 metres

Average depth: 44 metres

More info about this marine park

Solitary Islands Marine Park is located 5.5 kilometres off the coast in northern New South Wales. The marine park is a unique region where tropical, subtropical and temperate marine communities thrive in co-existence, inhabiting both subtidal reef and soft sediment habitats in relatively undisturbed waters. Solitary Islands Marine Park is well known for its incredible scuba diving, and populations of species with special conservation interest such as the endangered grey nurse shark.

Video

This footage shows a few of the Threatened Species that are found within the Solitary Islands Marine Park, including marine turtles, grey nurse sharks, southern right whales and a number of migratory seabirds.

Natural values

Our marine parks have a number of different values, including natural, cultural, heritage and socio-economic values. The natural values of our marine parks refer to the habitats, species and ecological communities within them, and the processes that support their connectivity, productivity and function. Below are the key datasets that help inform park managers about the natural values that exist within our network of Australian Marine Parks. For more information on other park values refer to the relevant park Management Plans on the Parks Australia website.

Biologically important areas

See where sea lions, sea birds, whales, dolphins and turtles like to breed, forage and nest.

Bioregions

See which areas of Australia's oceans have similar characteristics.

Key ecological features

See which habitats, features and processes scientists consider particularly important for biodiversity and ecosystem health.

RAMSAR wetlands

See which wetlands of international significance are protected by Australian Marine Parks.

Maps

The information provided by these datasets was integral in the planning and development of our national network of marine parks. Learn in detail about how scientists and marine park planners used these important marine features together to design Australia's network of marine parks, or explore the datasets for the Solitary Islands Marine Park individually through the links below.

Bathomes

See which areas of Marine Parks are of similar depth.

Bathymetry (250 metre resolution)

Compare how deep the waters are within and between the Australian Marine Parks.

Chlorophyll-a and ocean productivity

See where Australian's oceans are (and aren't) rich in phytoplankton.

Geomorphology

Explore the banks, pinnacles, troughs and other features of the seafloor in Australian Marine Parks.

Sea surface temperature

Check out the typical water temperature in Australian Marine Parks.

Species richness

See where species richness is at its highest and lowest across Australian Marine Parks.

World heritage areas

See which areas of Australia's marine environments have been World Heritage listed.

Latest maps

Since the initial planning of the Australian Marine Parks Network in 2012, new mapping data has emerged that allows us to see in finer detail the features that exist within our parks. These datasets help marine managers to understand more about what's under the surface, where there are overlaying management or protection regimes, and/or where pressures on the marine environment may be increasing.

Reef Life Survey site locations

See where Reef Life Survey have gathered important data about Australian reefs.

Where have ships mapped the seafloor with sonar?

Find out where the seafloor has been mapped with sonar across the Marine Parks.

Scientific papers

The following publications contain information relevant to the Solitary Islands marine park and adjacent waters. Click on the links to access to the publications.

Andreakis, N, Costello, P, Zanolla, M, Saunders, G. W and Mata, L. (2016). Endemic or introduced? Phylogeography of Asparagopsis (Florideophyceae) in Australia reveals multiple introductions and a new mitochondrial lineage.
Malcolm, H. A. (2016). A moray's many knots: knot tying behaviour around bait in two species of Gymnothorax moray eel.
Mizerek, T. L, Baird, A. H, Beaumont, L. J and Madin, J. S. (2016). Environmental tolerance governs the presence of reef corals at latitudes beyond reef growth.
Schultz, A. L. (2016). Fish assemblages of unconsolidated substrata in the Solitary Islands Marine Park using baited remote underwater video.
Verges, A, Doropoulos, C, Malcolm, H. A, Skye, M, Garcia-Piza, M, Marzinelli, E. M, Campbell, A. H, Ballesteros, E, Hoey, A. S, Vila-Concejo, A and Bozec, Y. M. (2016). Long-term empirical evidence of ocean warming leading to tropicalization of fish communities, increased herbivory, and loss of kelp.
Baird, A. H, Cumbo, V. R, Gudge, S, Keith, S. A, Maynard, J. A, Tan, C. H and Woolsey, E. S. (2015). Coral reproduction on the world's southernmost reef at Lord Howe Island, Australia.
Francis, M. P, Harasti, D and Malcolm, H. A. (2015). Surviving under pressure and protection: a review of the biology, ecology and population status of the highly vulnerable grouper Epinephelus daemelii.
Malcolm, H. A, Schultz, A. L, Sachs, P, Johnstone, N and Jordan, A. (2015). Decadal Changes in the Abundance and Length of Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) in Subtropical Marine Sanctuaries.
Couturier, L. I, Dudgeon, C. L, Pollock, K. H, Jaine, F. R. A, Bennett, M. B, Townsend, K. A, Weeks, S. J and Richardson, A. J. (2014). Population Dynamics of the reef manta ray Manta alfredi in eastern Australia.
Environment, Department of the (2014). Issues paper for the Grey Nurse Shark (Cacharias taurus).
Environment, Department of the (2014). Recovery Plan for the Grey Nurse Shark (Cacharias taurus).
Schultz, A. L, Malcolm, H. A, Bucher, D. J, Linklater, M and Smith, S. D. (2014). Depth and medium-scale spatial processes influence fish assemblage structure of unconsolidated habitats in a subtropical marine park.
Scott, A, Hardefeldt, J. M and Hall, K. C. (2014). Asexual propagation of sea anemones that host anemonefishes: implications for the marine ornamental aquarium trade and restocking programs.
Smith, K. R, Scarpaci, C, Scarr, M. J and Otway, N. M. (2014). Scuba diving tourism with critically endangered grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus) off eastern Australia: tourist demographics, shark behaviour and diver compliance.
Sommer, B, Harrison, P. L, Beger, M and Pandolfi, J. M. (2014). Trait-mediated environmental filtering drives assembly at biogeographic transition zones.
Dalton, S. J and Roff, G. (2013). Spatial and temporal patterns of eastern Australia subtropical coral communities.
Falkner, I, Barbosa, S and Byrne, M. (2013). Reproductive biology of four ophiocomid ophiuroids in tropical and temperate Australia-reproductive cycle and oogenic strategies in species with different modes of development.
Gallen, C , Bruce, B and Harasti, D. (2013). Knowledge review and gap identification for juvenile white sharks in coastal waters of the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority.
Harasti, D. and Malcolm, H. (2013). Distribution, relative abundance and size composition of the threatened serranid Epinephelus daemelii in New South Wales, Australia.
Noreen, A. M, van Oppen, M. J and Harrison, P. L. (2013). Genetic diversity and differentiation among high-latitude broadcast-spawning coral populations disjunct from the core range.
Schmidt-Roach, S, Lundgren, P, Miller, K. J, Gerlach, G, Noreen, A. M. E and Andreakis, N. (2013). Assessing hidden species diversity in the coral Pocillopora damicornis from Eastern Australia.
Schmidt-Roach, S, Miller, K. J and Andreakis, N. (2013). Pocillopora aliciae: a new species of scleractinian coral (Scleractinia, Pocilloporidae) from subtropical Eastern Australia.
Baird, A. H, Sommer, B and Madin, J. S. (2012). Pole-ward range expansion of Acropora spp. along the east coast of Australia.
Hammerton, Z, Dimmock, K, Hahn, C, Dalton, S. J and Smith, S. D. (2012). Scuba diving and marine conservation: collaboration at two Australian subtropical destinations.
Harrison, M. A and Smith, S. D. (2012). Cross-shelf variation in the structure of molluscan assemblages on shallow, rocky reefs in subtropical, eastern Australia.
Hill, R and Scott, A. (2012). The influence of irradiance on the severity of thermal bleaching in sea anemones that host anemonefish.
Malcolm, H.A, Foulsham, E, Pressey, R.L, Jordan, A, Davies, P.L, Ingleton, T, Johnstone, N, Hessey, S and Smith, S.D. (2012). Selecting zones in a marine park: early systematic planning improves cost-efficiency; combining habitat and biotic data improves effectiveness.
Schultz, A. L, Malcolm, H. A, Bucher, D. J and Smith, S. D. (2012). Effects of reef proximity on the structure of fish assemblages of unconsolidated substrata.
Malcolm, H. A and Authority, N. M. P. (2011). Cross-shelf patterns of black cod Epinephelus daemelii at three important locations in Northern Rivers marine waters.
Malcolm, H. A, Jordan, A and Smith, S. D. (2011). Testing a depth-based Habitat Classification System against reef fish assemblage patterns in a subtropical marine park.
Figueira, W. F and Booth, D. J. (2010). Increasing ocean temperatures allow tropical fishes to survive overwinter in temperate waters.
Malcolm, H. A, Jordan, A and Smith, S. D. (2010). Biogeographical and cross-shelf patterns of reef fish assemblages in a transition zone.
Malcolm, H. A, Smith, S. D and Jordan, A. (2010). Using patterns of reef fish assemblages to refine a Habitat Classification System for marine parks in NSW, Australia.
Noreen, A. M. (2010). Ecological and evolutionary connectivity of reef corals in subtropical eastern Australia: implications for the persistence of high-latitude coral populations.
Smith, S. D and Simpson, R. D. (2010). Nearshore corals of the Coffs Harbour region, mid north coast, New South Wales.
Edgar, G. J and Stuart-Smith, R. D. (2009). Ecological effects of marine protected areas on rocky reef communities--a continental-scale analysis.
Noreen, A. M, Harrison, P. L and Van Oppen, M. J. (2009). Genetic diversity and connectivity in a brooding reef coral at the limit of its distribution.
Scott, A and Harrison, P. L. (2009). Gametogenic and reproductive cycles of the sea anemone, Entacmaea quadricolor.
Keene, J, Baker, C, Tran, M and Potter, A. (2008). Sedimentology and Geomorphology of the East Marine region of Australia.
Scott, A and Harrison, P. L. (2008). Larval settlement and juvenile development of sea anemones that provide habitat for anemonefish.
Smith, S. D, Rule, M. J, Harrison, M and Dalton, S. J. (2008). Monitoring the sea change: preliminary assessment of the conservation value of nearshore reefs, and existing impacts, in a high-growth, coastal region of subtropical eastern Australia.
Malcolm, H. A, Gladstone, W, Lindfield, S, Wraith, J and Lynch, T. P. (2007). Spatial and temporal variation in reef fish assemblages of marine parks in New South Wales, Australia--baited video observations.
Rule, M. J and Smith, S. D. (2007). Depth-associated patterns in the development of benthic assemblages on artificial substrata deployed on shallow, subtropical reefs.
Dalton, S. J and Smith, S. D. (2006). Coral disease dynamics at a subtropical location, Solitary Islands Marine Park, eastern Australia.
Hughes, L. E and Lowry, J. K. (2006). New species of Amphipoda (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the Solitary Islands, New South Wales, Australia.
Rule, M. J and Smith, S. D. (2005). Spatial variation in the recruitment of benthic assemblages to artificial substrata.
Smith, S. D. (2005). Rapid assessment of invertebrate biodiversity on rocky shores: where there'sa whelk there'sa way.
Wilson, J and Harrison, P. (2005). Post-settlement mortality and growth of newly settled reef corals in a subtropical environment.
Wilson, J. R and Harrison, P. L. (2003). Spawning patterns of scleractinian corals at the Solitary Islands a high latitude coral community in eastern Australia.
Harriott, V and Banks, S. (2002). Latitudinal variation in coral communities in eastern Australia: a qualitative biophysical model of factors regulating coral reefs.
Harriott, V. J and Smith, S. D. A. (2002). Coral population dynamics in a subtropical coral community, Solitary Islands Marine Park, Australia.
Australia, Commonwealth of (2001). Solitary Islands Marine Reserve (Commonwealth Waters) Management Plan..
Smith, S. D and Rule, M. J. (2001). The effects of dredge-spoil dumping on a shallow water soft-sediment community in the Solitary Islands Marine Park, NSW, Australia.
Fairfull, S. J. L and Harriott, V. J. (1999). Succession, space and coral recruitment in a subtropical fouling community.
Harriott, V. J. (1999). Coral growth in subtropical eastern Australia.
Smith, S. D and Harriot, V. J. (1998). Tube-building polychaete worms smother corals in the Solitary Islands Marine Park, northern NSW, Australia.
Harriott, V. J. and Banks, S. A. (1995). Recruitment of scleractinian corals in the Solitary Islands Marine Reserve, a high latitude coral-dominated community in Eastern Australia.
Harriott, V. J, Smith, S. D. A and Harrison, P. L. (1994). Patterns of coral community structure of subtropical reefs in the Solitary-Islands Marine Reserve, Eastern Australia.
Millar, A. J. (1990). Marine red algae of the Coffs Harbour region, northern New South Wales.
Veron, J. E. N, How, R. A, Done, T. J, Zell, L. D, Dodkin, M. J and O'Farrell, A. F. (1974). Corals of the Solitary Islands, New South Wales.

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