Cliffy Island facts for kids
 Cliffy Island
Location in Victoria
|
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Bass Strait |
| Coordinates | 38°57′02″S 146°42′16″E / 38.95056°S 146.70444°E |
| Area | 8 ha (20 acres) |
| Length | 370 m (1,210 ft) |
| Width | 260 km (162 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 43 m (141 ft) |
| Administration | |
|
Australia
|
|
| State | Victoria |
Cliffy Island is a small, rocky island off the coast of Victoria, Australia. It's like the very top of a big underwater mountain! This island is famous for its lighthouse, which helps ships navigate the waters of Bass Strait. Because it's a safe and quiet place, many amazing seabirds come here to have their babies.
Contents
What is Cliffy Island?
Cliffy Island is a tiny piece of land in the ocean. It is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the coast of Victoria, Australia. The island is actually the very top of a huge granite mountain. Most of this mountain is hidden underwater.
The island is quite small, covering an area of about 8 hectares (20 acres). That's roughly the size of 15 football fields! At its highest point, Cliffy Island reaches about 43 meters (141 feet) above sea level.
Where is Cliffy Island located?
This special island is found in a busy stretch of water called the Bass Strait. The Bass Strait separates mainland Australia from the island state of Tasmania. Cliffy Island is part of the state of Victoria.
The Cliffy Island Lighthouse
One of the most important things on Cliffy Island is its lighthouse. The Cliffy Island Lighthouse was built to help guide ships safely through the Bass Strait. It warns them about the rocky coastline and helps them stay on course.
Lighthouses are very important for sailors, especially at night or in bad weather. The light from Cliffy Island Lighthouse shines far out into the ocean. It acts like a beacon, showing ships where they are and where to go.
Getting to the Lighthouse
Because Cliffy Island is small and rocky, it's not easy to get to. The lighthouse is only accessible by helicopter. This means that people who work at the lighthouse, or who need to visit it, must fly there. This makes it a very remote and special place.
Home to Amazing Wildlife
Cliffy Island and the islands around it are a safe home for many animals. It is especially important for different kinds of seabirds. These birds come to the island to build their nests and raise their young.
You can also see many seals around Cliffy Island. They love to rest on the rocks and swim in the waters nearby. The island provides a perfect habitat for these marine animals.
Why is it an Important Bird Area?
Cliffy Island is part of something called the Wilsons Promontory Islands Important Bird Area. This area has been identified by a group called BirdLife International. They recognized it because it's a crucial place for seabirds to breed.
Breeding means that birds come here to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. The island offers a safe place away from predators and human disturbances. This helps to protect many different species of seabirds.
Clues from the Past
If you travel around Cliffy Island by boat, you can see some interesting old things. There are remnants of what looks like an old jetty. A jetty is a pier where boats can dock. You can also see old train tracks and a large engine.
These old structures were likely used a long time ago. They probably helped lighthouse keepers bring supplies up the steep island to their living area. Imagine how hard it must have been to move food and equipment without modern machines! These clues tell us about the history of the island and the people who lived and worked there.
