Beagle Islands
Location of Beagle Islands in Western Australia
The Beagle Islands are a small group of islands in Western Australia, found approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi) north west of Leeman.
The Beagle Islands are a small group of islands in Western Australia, found approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi) north west of Leeman.
The Beagle Islands are a group of three individual islands:
The group is at the northern end of the Turquoise Coast islands nature reserve group, a chain of 40 islands spread over a distance of 150 kilometres (93 mi). [1]
The islands were formed approximately 10,000 years ago after large fluctuations in sea levels caused erosion on large areas of the continental shelf during periods of glaciation. Large parallel sand dunes then formed and hardened into limestone, forming islands, most of which have been separated from the mainland for 6,500 years. [1] [2]
Well preserved Tamala limestone geological features can be found on all of the Turquoise Coast islands, with supra-tidal hard coral fossils being found on the Beagle Islands. [1]
The islands are home to the largest population of Australian sea lions in Western Australia, The breeding colony is estimated to be between 150 and 250 animals depending on the breeding cycle. [3] East Beagle island is also home to the tree-like form of the Nitre Bush, an important habitat for sea lions when pupping. [1]
In 1905 a boat was reported as being wrecked near the islands [4] and in 1934 a fisherman drowned after being swept overboard. [5]
The Houtman Abrolhos is a chain of 122 islands, and associated coral reefs, in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Australia, 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.
Rottnest Island is a 19-square-kilometre (7.3 sq mi) island off the coast of Western Australia, located 18 kilometres (11 mi) west of Fremantle. A sandy, low-lying island formed on a base of aeolianite limestone, Rottnest is an A-class reserve, the highest level of protection afforded to public land. Together with Garden Island, Rottnest Island is a remnant of Pleistocene dune ridges.
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Lancelin Island is an island in Western Australia near Lancelin.
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Favorite Island is an island in Western Australia.
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Phillip Elliott Playford was an Australian geologist who made important contributions to sedimentary geology, oil exploration in Western Australia and maritime history. He has made contributions to the recording of aboriginal art and culture from the north of Western Australia.
Coordinates: 29°48′30″S114°52′31″E / 29.80833°S 114.87528°E