Houtman Abrolhos Islands
A bay in the Houtman Abrolhos
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 Houtman Abrolhos
Houtman Abrolhos
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Indian Ocean |
| Coordinates | 28°43′S 113°47′E / 28.717°S 113.783°ECoordinates: 28°43′S 113°47′E / 28.717°S 113.783°E |
| Archipelago | Houtman Abrolhos |
| Total islands | 122 |
| Area | 16.4 km2 (6.3 sq mi) |
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Australia
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| State | Western Australia |
| Demographics | |
| Population | uninhabited |
| Additional information | |
| Southernmost true coral reef in the Indian Ocean | |
The Houtman Abrolhos (often informally called the Abrolhos Islands) is a chain of 122 islands, and associated coral reefs, in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Australia. Nominally located at 28°43′S 113°47′E / 28.717°S 113.783°E, it lies about eighty kilometres (50 mi) west of Geraldton, Western Australia. It is the southernmost true coral reef in the Indian Ocean, and one of the highest latitude reef systems in the world. It is one of the world's most important seabird breeding sites, and is the centre of Western Australia's largest single-species fishery, the western rock lobster fishery. It has a small seasonal population of fishermen, and a limited number of tourists are permitted for day trips, but most of the land area is off limits as conservation habitat. It is well known as the site of numerous shipwrecks, the most famous being the Dutch ships Batavia, which was wrecked in 1629, and Zeewijk, wrecked in 1727.
The Houtman Abrolhos is made up of three island groups, the Wallabi Group, Easter Group and Pelsaert Group.
The most northerly group, the Wallabi Group, consists of an island clump about 17 kilometres (10 mi) by 10 kilometres (6 mi), and also takes in the outlying North Island, located 14 kilometres to the northwest. The main islands of the Wallabi Group are North Island, West Wallabi Island, East Wallabi Island and Beacon Island. The group is best known for the shipwreck of the Batavia on Morning Reef near Beacon Island in 1629, and the subsequent mutiny and massacre that took place among the marooned survivors.
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