Bourke Isles

The Bourke Isles are a group of islands in the Torres Strait Islands archipelago, located west of the Cumberland Passage in the Torres Strait in Queensland, Australia.[1] The isles are situated approximately 130 kilometres (81 mi) northeast of Thursday Island and 54 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of Darnley Island.[2] The Bourke Isles are located within the Torres Strait Island Region local government area.

Bourke Isles
A Landsat image of Yam Island, one of the Bourke Isles
A map of the Torres Strait Islands showing Yam Island as Iama in central waters of the Torres Strait
EtymologyRichard Bourke[1]
Geography
LocationCumberland Passage, Northern Australia
Coordinates9°54′00″S 143°23′41″E
ArchipelagoTorres Strait Islands
Adjacent bodies of waterTorres Strait
Total islands7
Major islandsYam Island
Administration
StateQueensland
Local government areaTorres Strait Island Region
Demographics
Ethnic groupsTorres Strait Islanders

The islands were named in 1836 by Charles Lewis, the Commander of colonial schooner Isabella, in honour of Richard Bourke, at the time, the Governor of New South Wales.[1]

The Bourke Isles includes:

  • Aukane Islet
  • Aureed Island
  • Kabbikane Islet
  • Layoak Islet
  • Mimi Islet
  • Roberts Islet
  • Yam Island[3]

See also

References
  1. "Bourke Isles (entry 4080)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  2. "Map of Bourke Isles, QLD". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  3. "Iama (Yam Island)". Torres Strait Island Region. 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.


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