Lexi Webster
Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders, offering a diverse range of experiences for visitors. From the rugged and remote Southern Ocean islands of South Australia to the tropical paradise of the Great Barrier Reef, there is an island for every taste. Some of the more popular islands include Rottnest Island, known for its quokkas and white-sand beaches, and K'gari, the world's largest sand island. With so many islands to choose from, Australia is a dream destination for those seeking natural beauty, adventure, and cultural exploration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Tasmania |
| Location | Southern coast of Australia |
| Size | 68,401 km² (26,410 sq mi) |
| Population | 556,000 (2022 estimate) |
| Capital City | Hobart |
| Highest Point | Mount Ossa (1,617 meters) |
| Known for | Rugged wilderness, diverse flora and fauna, and a mild, temperate climate |
| Tourism | Popular for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and wildlife watching |
| Agriculture | Major producer of fruits, vegetables, and wine |
| Industry | Mining, tourism, agriculture, and forestry |
| Culture | Rich history, unique Tasmanian devil mascot, and a growing arts scene |
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What You'll Learn
Little Island's formation and geology
Little Island, located in the Australian state of South Australia, was formed about 8,400 years ago when sea levels rose at the start of the Holocene. The island is predominantly made of granite, which has eroded to the extent that the island is divided into two sections. Each section has a calcarenite capping that reaches a height of 8 m (26 ft) above sea level. The island rises from the seabed at 30 m (98 ft) almost vertically on its southeast face, while the same transition occurs over a distance of almost 200 m (660 ft) on its northwest face.
Little Island is located in Spencer Gulf, off the east coast of the Jussieu Peninsula on Eyre Peninsula, approximately 28 kilometres (17 mi) southeast of Port Lincoln. It was named by Matthew Flinders in memory of John Little, one of eight crew members lost when a cutter capsized on 21 February 1802. The island has been part of the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area since 2004.
The flora on Little Island is a shrubland composed of marsh saltbush, while the fauna consists of sooty oystercatchers, Pacific gulls, and a large colony of Australian sea lions.
Little Island's formation is a result of geological processes that have shaped the Earth over millions of years. The island's granite composition and vertical rise from the seabed indicate a possible volcanic origin, similar to other oceanic islands with basaltic parent lava material. Over time, the island has been subjected to erosion, with the granite gradually wearing away due to the action of waves, wind, and weather conditions.
The geology and formation of Little Island also contribute to its unique characteristics. The island's small size, isolation, and lack of a sheltered coastline make access challenging, and its terrain is not suitable for helicopter landings. Despite these challenges, Little Island offers a pristine and untouched natural environment with a diverse range of flora and fauna.
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Flora and fauna
Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders. One of the islands is Little Island, formed about 8,400 years ago when sea levels rose at the start of the Holocene. The flora of Little Island is reported as being a shrubland composed of marsh saltbush, while the fauna consists of sooty oystercatchers, Pacific gulls, and a large colony of Australian sea lions.
Tasmania, an island state of Australia, has a diverse range of flora and fauna. About 40% of Tasmania is protected as national parks, reserves, and World Heritage wilderness areas, ensuring the conservation of its ecosystems and abundant wildlife and plants. The island has 19 national parks, including Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Maria Island National Park, and Narawntapu National Park, which are home to a variety of animal species. Tasmania is also known for its ancient forests, with some trees reaching heights of up to 100 meters and ages of over 2,000 years.
The wildlife of Tasmania includes endemic bird species, the Tasmanian pygmy possum (the world's smallest possum), migrating whales, frolicking dolphins, sea eagles, albatross, and seals. The island is also home to little penguins, the smallest penguin species in the world, with prime spotting locations in Bicheno, Bruny Island, Devonport (Lillico Beach), Stanley, Burnie, and Penguin.
Tasmania's flora has ancient origins, dating back to the supercontinent of Gondwana. The Antarctic flora, including podocarps and southern beech, once thrived in a warmer and wetter Antarctica. As Australia moved north and became drier, the humid Antarctic flora retreated to the mainland's east coast and Tasmania. The vegetation of Tasmania is characterised by woody plants, conifers, angiosperms, and genera like southern beech and fuchsia.
Rottnest Island, located off the coast of Western Australia, is famous for its population of quokkas, furry marsupials that were once mistaken for rats by early explorers. The island also offers opportunities for whale watching, with humpback and southern right whales migrating along the coastline.
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European discovery
Little Island, South Australia, was one of several islands first sighted by Europeans on 20 February 1802 from HMS Investigator, under the command of Matthew Flinders, as he entered what is now Spencer Gulf. The island was formed around 8,400 years ago when sea levels rose at the start of the Holocene. It is predominantly granite, which has eroded to such an extent that the island is divided into two sections. Each section has a calcarenite capping that reaches a height of 8 metres (26 feet) above sea level.
The island rises from the seabed at 30 metres (98 feet) almost vertically on its southeast face, while the same transition occurs over a distance of almost 200 metres (660 feet) on its northwest face. As of 1996, the flora of Little Island was reported to be a shrubland composed of marsh saltbush, while its fauna consisted of sooty oystercatchers and Pacific gulls, as well as a large colony of Australian sea lions.
Other islands in the region were visited by Europeans before Little Island was discovered. For example, the Dutch visited Nuyts Archipelago in the 1600s, long before Matthew Flinders. Rottnest Island, off the coast of Western Australia, was discovered by Dutch sea captain Willem de Vlamingh in 1696.
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Other Australian islands
Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders, so there are plenty of options for island exploration. Here are some of the notable Australian islands other than Tasmania:
Melville Island, Northern Territory
Melville Island is Australia's second-largest island, covering an area of 5,786 square kilometres (2,234 square miles).
Kangaroo Island, South Australia
With an area of 4,416 square kilometres (1,705 square miles), Kangaroo Island offers unforgettable wildlife experiences, natural attractions, gourmet dining, and fine Australian spirits. Visitors can marvel at the Remarkable Rocks in the Flinders Chase National Park and walk among endangered Australian sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park.
Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory
Groote Eylandt, meaning "Big Island" in archaic Dutch, is Australia's fourth-largest island, spanning 2,285 square kilometres (882 square miles).
K'gari, Queensland
Located off the coast of southern Queensland, K'gari is the largest sand island in the world, covering 165,280 hectares (1,653 square kilometres or 638 square miles). The island boasts diverse landscapes, including freshwater lakes, sand dunes, wetlands, crystal-clear lakes, and dense rainforests. K'gari is also known for its coloured sands, stained by decayed vegetation over thousands of years.
Mornington Island, Queensland
Mornington Island is one of the larger Australian islands, with an area of 1,002 square kilometres (387 square miles).
Rottnest Island, Western Australia
Just 11 miles off the coast of Western Australia, Rottnest Island is a popular destination known for its 63 white-sand beaches, translucent swimming waters, coral reefs, and friendly quokkas, a type of furry marsupial.
Fitzroy Island, Queensland
Fitzroy Island is a pocket-size paradise nestled within the Great Barrier Reef. It offers pristine rainforests and beaches and is accessible via a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns.
The Whitsundays, Queensland
The Whitsundays comprise 74 islands scattered in the Coral Sea off the east coast of Queensland. They are known for their white-sand beaches, national parks, and excellent sailing opportunities.
Lord Howe Island, Tasman Sea
Lord Howe Island is a small oceanic island located 600 kilometres (370 miles) east of the Australian mainland in the Tasman Sea. It is one of Australia's most remote islands.
Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island, once a notorious penal colony, is now known for its gorgeous scenery and proud residents, many of whom are descendants of convicts.
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Travel and tourism
Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders, and Tasmania is the 26th-largest island in the world. Tasmania is known for its breathtaking, scenic views and natural parks, with about 42% of the island consisting of protected land. It is also the most mountainous area in Australia and offers visitors four distinct seasons to enjoy throughout the year.
Tasmania's capital, Hobart, is a great base to explore the island's natural beauty, with its white sand beaches and calm blue waters. The city also has a fascinating art gallery, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Tasmania is a haven for wildlife, and wherever you travel, you're likely to spot wombats, pademelons, and wallabies.
For those seeking adventure, Tasmania offers challenging MTB trails and some of the best walking tracks in the state. You can also take a gentle stroll or an epic hike in a city gorge or a rainforest. The island has over 120 beaches, and it's easy to find an empty one to snorkel in the clear waters. Tasmania also boasts sweeping beaches, dramatic coastlines, and abundant wildlife.
Tasmania has a vibrant food and drink scene, with its cool-climate wines, fresh apple cider, cheeses, and oysters. The island also produces beers and whiskies, and you can follow a tasting trail or a wine trail to meet the makers of northern Tasmania.
To get to Tasmania, you can take a direct flight to Hobart or Launceston from Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane. Alternatively, you can travel by sea using the car ferry, Spirit of Tasmania, which crosses between mainland Australia (from Geelong) and the Tasmanian city of Devonport daily. Driving is a great way to get around Tasmania, with incredible road trips like the Great Eastern Drive.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders.
Some notable islands near Australia include Lizard Island, Rottnest Island, K'gari, Lord Howe Island, and the Tiwi Islands.
Each island offers a variety of activities, including snorkelling, scuba diving, hiking, wildlife spotting, and cultural experiences.
Little Island, located in South Australia, was formed about 8,400 years ago when sea levels rose at the start of the Holocene. The island is known for its granite composition and is home to various animal and plant species.
