Beagle Islands (Western Australia) facts for kids
The Beagle Islands are a small group of islands. They are located in Western Australia. You can find them about 15 kilometers (9 miles) north west of Leeman.
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What are the Beagle Islands?
The Beagle Islands are made up of three separate islands:
- North West Beagle Island: This island is about 0.5 hectares (1.2 acres) big. It is located 8.6 kilometers (5.3 miles) from the mainland.
- East Beagle Island: This island is larger, about 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres). It is 8.3 kilometers (5.2 miles) from the mainland.
- South West Beagle Island: This island is also about 0.5 hectares (1.2 acres) big. It is 8.6 kilometers (5.3 miles) from the mainland.
These islands are at the northern end of the Turquoise Coast islands. This area is a nature reserve. It has a chain of 40 islands. They stretch over 150 kilometers (93 miles).
How the Islands Were Formed
The Beagle Islands were formed around 10,000 years ago. At that time, sea levels changed a lot. This caused erosion on large parts of the continental shelf. Big sand dunes then formed. These dunes hardened into limestone. This is how the islands were created. Most of them have been separated from the mainland for about 6,500 years.
You can find well-preserved Tamala limestone features on all the Turquoise Coast islands. On the Beagle Islands, you can even find fossils of hard coral.
Home to Sea Lions
The Beagle Islands are very important for Australian sea lions. They are home to the largest group of these sea lions in Western Australia. This breeding colony has between 150 and 250 animals. The number changes depending on their breeding cycle.
East Beagle Island is also home to the Nitre Bush. This plant grows like a tree. It provides an important habitat for sea lions. They use it when they are having their pups.
Historical Events Near the Islands
Over the years, there have been some interesting events near the islands. In 1905, a boat was reported as being wrecked close to the islands.
