Lexi Webster
Australia is surrounded by thousands of islands, ranging from small rocks that are uncovered at high tide to islands larger than 1,000 square kilometres. Rottnest Island, affectionately called Rotto by locals, is located on Australia's west coast just south of Perth. The island, which got its name from the Dutch word for rat's nest, is a popular destination for hiking, surfing, and fishing. Another island off the west coast of Australia is Thistle Island, the third-biggest island in South Australia, known for its wonderful wildlife and views.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of islands in Australia | 8,222 |
| Islands larger than 1,000 square kilometres | Tasmania, Melville Island, Kangaroo Island, Groote Eylandt, Bathurst Island, K'gari, Flinders Island, King Island, Mornington Island |
| World's largest sand island | K'gari |
| Island with unique animal Quokka | Rottnest Island |
| Third largest island | Kangaroo Island |
| Island with unique wildlife | Thistle Island |
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What You'll Learn
Rottnest Island, Western Australia
Rottnest Island, often colloquially referred to as "Rotto" by locals, is a 19-square-kilometre island off the coast of Western Australia, located 18 kilometres west of Fremantle and 19 kilometres off the coast of Perth. Rottnest Island is a tranquil setting that boasts an abundance of unique flora and fauna, incredible coastal scenes, and wildlife populations found nowhere else in the world. The island is well known for its population of quokkas, and is also home to colonies of Australian sea lions and southern fur seals, various birds, and three native tree species, notably the Rottnest Island pine.
Rottnest Island is a remnant of Pleistocene dune ridges, having been separated from the mainland when sea levels rose around 7,000 years ago. The traditional Noongar name for the island is Wadjemup, which means "place across the water where the spirits are". Human artefacts have been found on the island dating back at least 30,000 years, but visitation and habitation by the Noongar people appear to have ceased following its separation from the mainland. The Whadjuk Noongar people recognise Wadjemup as a spiritual paradise where spirits journey before the afterlife.
Historically, Rottnest Island has been used as a military site and for internment camps housing enemy aliens. Many of the island's buildings date back to the colonial period and are constructed from locally quarried limestone. The island is now a popular recreational and tourist destination, with daily ferry services from Perth, and is an unincorporated area with no local government, subject to direct administration by the government of Western Australia.
Rottnest Island is a car-free nature reserve, so the best way to get around is by bike, bus tour, shuttle service, or walking tour. The island offers a range of accessible facilities and services, including ramps at key facilities, wide pathways, and accessible bathrooms, ensuring that all travellers can experience the island and its famous smiling quokkas.
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Fraser Island, Australia's east coast
Australia is surrounded by thousands of islands, including the world's largest sand island, K'gari, also known as Fraser Island. Fraser Island is located in the Wide Bay-Burnett region of Queensland, Australia, along the southeastern coast. It is about 250 km (160 mi) north of Brisbane, the state capital, and is part of the Fraser Coast Region local council area. The island is approximately 123 km (76 mi) long and 22 km (14 mi) wide, covering an area of 184,000 hectares (710 sq mi) and making it the largest island on Australia's east coast.
Fraser Island is a World Heritage-listed site, recognised for its natural and cultural significance. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including soaring satinay trees, kauri pines, giant king ferns, and a variety of bird species. The island is visited by migratory wader birds from as far away as Siberia, and provides habitat for gulls, terns, falcons, and kingfishers. It is also known for its marine life, with frequent visitors including humpback whales, dolphins, dugongs, and sea turtles.
A notable feature of Fraser Island is the shipwreck of the SS Maheno. Built in Scotland in 1905 as a luxury passenger ship, the Maheno served as a hospital ship during World War I and was later sold to a ship-breaker in Japan. In 1935, while being towed to Osaka, the ship was caught in a cyclone and became beached on the east coast of Fraser Island. During World War II, the wreck was used for target bombing practice and explosives demolition. Today, the remains of the ship lie rusted and partially buried under the sand.
Fraser Island holds cultural significance for the Butchulla people, the traditional custodians of the land. The island's original name, K'gari, is derived from the Butchulla language and means 'paradise'. In June 2023, the Queensland Government officially announced the return to this traditional name, recognising and honouring the island's indigenous heritage.
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Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders. One of these islands is Kangaroo Island, which is located in the state of South Australia. It is Australia's third-largest island, covering an area of 4,405 square kilometres (1,701 square miles). The island is 145 kilometres long from west to east and its coastline is 540 kilometres long. Its highest point, at 307 metres (1007 feet) above sea level, is located in Flinders Chase National Park.
Kangaroo Island is known for its spectacular nature and wildlife, food and wine, and unique events. It is one of the world's best nature-based destinations, where you can get up close to iconic Kangaroo Island wildlife, including kangaroos. The island has a lot to offer, from seaside holidays to premium luxury accommodation. The biggest town on the island is Kingscote, which is also South Australia's first colonial settlement. It is located on the Dudley Peninsula, on the eastern end of the island. Penneshaw, the second-largest town, is also located on the Dudley Peninsula and has a population of around 300.
There are various ways to plan your visit to Kangaroo Island, including by ferry or flight. There are many attractions to see and things to do on the island. For instance, you can visit the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery, go on a tour with SeaLink Kangaroo Island, or indulge in the exquisite flavours of Kangaroo Island's rare honey.
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Thistle Island, South Australia
Australia is surrounded by thousands of islands, ranging from small rocks that are uncovered at high tide to islands larger than the Australian Capital Territory. Thistle Island, also known as Noondala, is one such island located in the Spencer Gulf, South Australia, about 200 kilometres west of Adelaide. The island is approximately 28 nautical miles southeast of Port Lincoln, at the foot of Spencer Gulf, and is about 17 kilometres long and 1 to 4 kilometres wide.
Thistle Island was named by British explorer Matthew Flinders in 1802 after a tragic accident in which a cutter captained by John Thistle and carrying seven other men capsized in rough seas. Despite the crew's frantic search, the bodies of the men were never found. Flinders also named several smaller islands in the area after the lost crew.
Thistle Island has a rich history, with evidence of early settlement attempts and human occupation dating back to the early 19th century. By 1832, a small community of sealers, their Aboriginal "wives", and children were living on the island. The island also has a significant whaling and sealing past, with the historic Whalers Bay Whaling Site and Thistle Island Sealing Site listed on the South Australian Heritage Register.
The island is known for its diverse wildlife, including little penguins, Australian sea lions, and paper nautilus shells. It also offers a unique geological landscape, with steep cliffs of calcareous aeolianite along the shore and recent beach sands on the eastern side. Visitors can enjoy activities such as paddling, camping, and observing the abundant marine life, including dolphins and birds.
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Australia's Pacific islands
Australia is surrounded by thousands of islands, including the world's largest sand island, K'gari. Australia has a number of large islands in the Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans and the Coral and Timor Seas, which form Australia's External Territories.
Since the 19th century, Australia and the islands of the Pacific have been grouped by geographers into a region called Oceania. This region is often used as a quasi-continent, with the Pacific Ocean being the defining characteristic. The Pacific Islands are a collection of diverse countries and territories located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. These islands are known for their natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and unique ecosystems.
The Pacific Islands include thousands of islands, each with their own unique traditions, languages, and customs, many of which are home to indigenous communities. The islands are often divided into three ethnogeographic groupings: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Melanesia includes the islands of New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji. Micronesia includes the islands of Guam, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati, and Palau. Polynesia includes the islands of Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Niue, Tokelau, and Tuvalu.
Australia is sometimes considered part of the Pacific Islands, and at other times it is considered separate. Some sources specifically include Australia as one of the Pacific Islands, while others exclude it as a neighbouring island continent.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Rottnest Island is located on Australia's west coast just south of Perth.
Rottnest Island is a popular place for people from Perth to take a weekend break and enjoy hiking, surfing, and fishing. There are no cars permitted on the island, so most people explore by bicycle, on foot, or by using the island bus service.
There are 300 islands in South Australia, including Thistle Island, the third-largest island in the region.
Thistle Island has wonderful wildlife and views. Many of the islands in South Australia are uninhabited or undeveloped, so there is a wild character to the whole region. Some have restricted access to protect the wildlife and habitats.
Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders.
