Clark Island, New South Wales facts for kids
Clark Island is a small island located in Sydney Harbour, near the coast of New South Wales, Australia. This little island is part of the beautiful Sydney Harbour National Park. You can find it just off the shore of Darling Point, a suburb in eastern Sydney. It sits between the famous Harbour Bridge and the entrance to the harbour.
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Discover Clark Island
What's on the Island?
Clark Island is quite small, covering an area of 0.9 hectares. No one lives on the island, but it's a great spot for visitors! You'll find picnic tables, toilets, and even drinking water available. However, there are no regular ferry services to the island, so you'll need to arrange your own boat trip to visit.
How Clark Island Got Its Name
The island is named after Lieutenant Ralph Clark. He was an officer who arrived with the First Fleet in Australia. In the early days of the colony, naval officers were allowed to grow their own vegetables. Convicts helped tend these gardens.
Lieutenant Clark tried to start a vegetable garden on this island. Unfortunately, his efforts weren't very successful. People were very hungry back then due to limited food supplies. Any vegetables he grew were quickly taken. In February 1790, Clark wrote that "some Boat had landed... and taken away the greatest part." He realized it was impossible to grow anything without it being taken.
Fun Facts and Events
Clark Island has also been a stage for special events! In January 1979, a play based on Robert Louis Stevenson's famous book, Treasure Island, was performed right on the island. The Nimrod Theatre Company put on this show as part of the exciting Sydney Festival. Imagine watching a pirate adventure on a real island!
