Chipping Norton Islands facts for kids
One of the islets on the lake
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Chipping Norton, Lansvale, Cabramatta |
| Coordinates | 33°54′04″S 150°57′41″E / 33.901221°S 150.961327°E |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Chipping Norton Lake Georges River |
| Total islands | 4 |
| Highest elevation | 13 m (43 ft) |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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| State | New South Wales |
| Largest settlement | Sydney |
| Demographics | |
| Population | unpopulated |
The Chipping Norton Islands are a group of four small islands. You can find them in Chipping Norton Lake. This lake is located in western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. These islands are a special home for many animals and plants.
Contents
Exploring the Islands
There are four main islands in Chipping Norton Lake. Each one is unique and located in a different part of the lake.
- Bass Island - This island is in the western part of the lake. It is close to the suburb of Cabramatta.
- Bulba-Gong (Wildlife Reserve Island) - This is the largest island. It is in the eastern part of the lake, near Chipping Norton. It is a special place for wildlife.
- Crescent Island - This island has a long, thin shape, like a crescent moon. It is in the northwest part of the lake, near Lansvale.
- Daruk Island - You can find this island in the middle of the lake, towards the east. It is the furthest from the land but still within the Chipping Norton area.
What Makes Them Special?
These islands are important for nature. They are located along the Georges River. They provide a safe place for many native animals, especially birds.
You can reach the islands by boat. However, visitors are not allowed to go onto the islands. This rule helps protect the wildlife that lives there.
Island Names and Their Meanings
The names of the islands have interesting meanings:
- Daruk Island is named after the Darug people. They are an Aboriginal tribe who originally lived in the Sydney area.
- The name Bulba-gong comes from the Eora language. "Bulba" means 'island' and "gong" means 'bird'. So, it means 'bird island'.
Wildlife on the Islands
The Chipping Norton Islands and the surrounding lake are full of life! Over fifty different kinds of birds visit or live here.
Birds You Might See
Some of the birds you might spot include:
- Australian pelicans, with their big pouches.
- Australasian swamphens, which are bright blue and purple.
- Egrets, tall white birds that wade in the water.
- Maned ducks and pacific black ducks.
- Sacred ibis, with their long, curved beaks.
- Small, colorful pardalotes.
Other Animals
Sometimes, even dolphins and sharks are seen in the waters around the islands!
Plants and Trees
The islands and lake area also have many different plants. You can find sedgelands, reeds, and mangroves.
Native trees that grow here include:
The special alluvial woodland found around the lake is very important. It is an endangered ecological community, meaning it needs to be protected.
