Craggy Island (Tasmania) facts for kids
 Craggy Island
Location in Tasmania
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Bass Strait |
| Coordinates | 39°41′14″S 147°40′41″E / 39.68722°S 147.67806°E |
| Archipelago | Bass Pyramid Group |
| Area | 39 ha (96 acres) |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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| State | Tasmania |
Craggy Island is a small, rugged island made of granite rock. It covers an area of about 39 hectares in southeastern Australia. To give you an idea, that's roughly the size of 70 football fields! This island is part of the Bass Pyramid Group, which belongs to Tasmania. It sits in the northern part of the Bass Strait, located between Flinders Island and the Kent Group.
Exploring Craggy Island
Craggy Island is known for its rough, rocky landscape. Its location in the Bass Strait makes it an important spot for many types of wildlife. Even though it's small, it plays a big role in the local ecosystem.
Island History
Long ago, people visited Craggy Island. Records show that in 1831, there was a camp on the island. This camp was used by sealers, who were people who hunted seals for their fur and oil. George Augustus Robinson, a well-known figure from that time, reported seeing this sealing camp.
Amazing Wildlife
Craggy Island is a special place for many animals, especially birds. It's a breeding ground for several types of seabirds and waders. These are birds that live near the sea or in shallow waters.
Some of the cool birds that raise their young here include:
- Little penguin: These are the smallest penguins in the world.
- Short-tailed shearwater: These birds travel huge distances across the ocean.
- Fairy prion: Small, blue-grey seabirds that fly over the waves.
- Common diving-petrel: These birds are excellent at diving underwater for food.
- Pacific gull: A large gull often seen along Australia's coasts.
- Sooty oystercatcher: A striking black bird with a bright orange beak.
Besides birds, you can also find reptiles on the island. The metallic skink lives here. This is a type of lizard known for its shiny, metallic-looking scales. Craggy Island provides a safe home for all these creatures.
