Omari Gates
Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders, ranging from small rocks that are not covered by water at high tide to islands that are more than twice the size of the Australian Capital Territory. The islands of Australia are spread across its six federated states and ten federal territories. The federated states are New South Wales (including Lord Howe Island), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania (including Macquarie Island), Victoria, and Western Australia. The ten federal territories are divided into three internal territories and seven external territories. Some of the islands that are part of Australian territory include Tasmania, Melville Island, Kangaroo Island, Groote Eylandt, K'gari, Flinders Island, and many more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of islands within maritime borders | 8,222 |
| Number of islands in the state of Tasmania | 334 |
| Islands larger than 1,000 square kilometres | 10 |
| Largest islands | Tasmania, Melville Island, Kangaroo Island, Groote Eylandt, Bathurst Island, K'gari, Flinders Island, King Island, Mornington Island |
| External territories | Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island, Jervis Bay Territory |
| World Heritage Sites | K'gari, Macquarie Island |
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What You'll Learn
Lord Howe Island
The Lord Howe Island Group comprises 28 islands, islets, and rocks. Apart from Lord Howe Island itself, the most notable of these is the volcanic and uninhabited Ball's Pyramid, about 23 km (14 mi; 12 nmi) to the southeast of Howe. The underwater world around Ball's Pyramid is home to a unique coral community with giant fan corals, as well as rare Spanish dancers and the rare and protected Ballina angelfish. The first reported sighting of Lord Howe Island took place on 17 February 1788, when Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball, commander of the Armed Tender HMS Supply, was en route from Botany Bay to found a penal settlement on Norfolk Island.
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Norfolk Island
The first European known to have sighted and landed on the island was Captain James Cook on 10 October 1774, during his second voyage to the South Pacific on HMS Resolution. He named the island after Mary Howard, Duchess of Norfolk. Norfolk Island served as a convict penal settlement from 6 March 1788 until 5 May 1855, with a brief 11-year hiatus from 1814 to 1825 when it was uninhabited. During this period, the island was used to detain hardcore recidivists or 'doubly-convicted capital respites'. On 8 June 1856, permanent civilian residence on the island began when descendants of the Bounty mutineers were relocated from Pitcairn Island.
Today, Norfolk Island is a popular tourist destination, attracting about 30,000 visitors annually. It is known for its natural beauty, rich history, and community spirit. The island offers a unique blend of South Pacific charm and eco-friendly tourism. Visitors can explore hidden beaches, rugged cliffs, dramatic headlands, and the towering Norfolk Pines. The island's natural sanctuaries are home to some of the world's rarest birds. Norfolk Island also has a growing forestry program and exports the seed of the Norfolk Island pine, a popular ornamental tree in Australia and worldwide.
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Christmas Island
The population of Christmas Island is culturally diverse, with many descended from Chinese, Malay, and Sikh labourers brought to the island by the British in the late 19th century to work in the phosphate mines. The harsh conditions and history of the phosphate mines are remembered at the Tai Jin House Museum. Today, a large portion of the island and its surrounding waters are protected by the Christmas Island National Park. The park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare and endemic avian species, and is a popular destination for wildlife and nature enthusiasts.
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Macquarie Island
The island was discovered by Frederick Hasselborough, an Australian, on 11 July 1810, while he was looking for new sealing grounds. He claimed the island for Britain and annexed it to the colony of New South Wales in 1810. The island was named after Colonel Lachlan Macquarie, Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821. In 1890, the Colony of New Zealand requested permission to annex the island from Tasmania, but this was refused.
In 1948, the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) established its expedition headquarters on Macquarie Island, and it has been used as a base for Antarctic research and support ever since.
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K'gari
The island boasts a diverse range of landscapes, including freshwater lakes, sand dunes, wetlands, crystal-clear lakes, and dense rainforests. K'gari is famous for its coloured sands, which have been stained by decayed vegetation over thousands of years. Some of the sand deposits on the island are up to eight million years old. One notable example of these coloured sands can be found on the eastern beach, known as The Cathedrals.
The island is easily accessible from the mainland, with regular ferry services and flights available. It is a popular tourist destination, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural significance. Visitors can explore the diverse landscapes, enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming, and learn about the island's ecological and cultural importance.
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Frequently asked questions
K'gari, also known as Fraser Island, is the largest sand island in the world.
Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean, is home to the world's largest population of endangered hooded vultures.
Macquarie Island is the only place on Earth where rocks from the Earth's mantle are exposed above sea level.
Flinders Island, part of the state of Tasmania, is the sixth-largest island in Australia.
Groote Eylandt is Australia's fourth-largest island.
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