Eddystone is a tower-shaped rock or small island, located in the Southern Ocean, off the southern coast of Tasmania, Australia.[2] The island is situated approximately 27 km (17 mi) from the South East Cape on a bearing of 149° and is contained within the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site. An erosional remnant of the Tasmanian mainland with an elevation of 30 m (98 ft) above sea level, the island is estimated to have separated from the Tasmanian mainland at least 15,000 years ago.[3]
Native name: no known native connection | |
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Etymology | Eddystone Lighthouse in Devon, England.[1] |
Geography | |
Location | Southern Ocean |
Coordinates | 43°51′18″S 147°00′00″E |
Highest elevation | 30 m (100 ft) |
Administration | |
Australia | |
State | Tasmania |
Region | Southern |
Demographics | |
Population | 0 |
Eddystone is known for its inaccessibility and distinctive shape, described by Abel Tasman in 1642 as "a tall, obtuse, square tower".[4] A painting[5] from 1823 bears this out, and also shows its proximity to Pedra Branca, 2.2 km (1.4 mi) to the west.
Approximately 50 m (160 ft) off Eddystone there is a recently[when?] publicised surf break named Eddystone Rock. Surfers were shown the location by local fishermen, who have known about the break for many years.[citation needed]
The island has negligible plant life. Seabirds recorded as nesting there include Australasian gannets, black-faced cormorants and fairy prions.[6] Australian and New Zealand fur seals haul-out on the lower ledges when seas are not too rough.[1]
Together with the nearby Pedra Branca and Sidmouth Rock the island constitutes the 2 ha (4.9-acre) Pedra Branca Important Bird Area (IBA), identified as such by BirdLife International because it supports over 1% of the world populations of shy albatrosses and Australasian gannets.[7]
Eddystone was named by Captain James Cook in 1777 because of its resemblance to Eddystone Lighthouse in Devon, England.[1]
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