Garden Island (Tamar River) facts for kids
Garden Island is a special kind of island called a tied island. It's located about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Clarence Point in Tasmania, Australia. You can find it near where the Tamar River meets the sea.
Getting to Garden Island is a bit of an adventure! You take a dirt road that branches off Bevic Road. This road connects West Tamar Highway to Kelso and Clarence Point Road.
Contents
What is Garden Island?
Garden Island is a large area of land that is owned by TasPorts. TasPorts is a company that manages ports and shipping in Tasmania. The island is completely surrounded by the Tamar River. This river is actually an estuary, which means it's where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water.
How the Island Was Connected
The Tamar River has been dug out to create a deep channel for large ships to pass through. This digging process is called dredging. The extra dirt and sand from the dredging were moved towards the shore. This created a land bridge, making it easier to reach the island.
What You Can Do There
Even though there are no buildings or shops on Garden Island, it's a great spot for a few things. Many people enjoy seawater fishing there. It's also a flat, open area that offers beautiful views of the river. It's a perfect place for a scenic lookout!
Oysters and Safety
The estuary around Garden Island is home to many oysters. However, scientists have found high levels of certain metals like copper, zinc, and cadmium in these oysters. Because of this, it's not safe to eat the oysters from this area.
A Look Back in Time
Garden Island has a long history. In the early 1800s, it was known by a different name: Green Island.
Early Settlement Use
In 1804, a settlement was started by Colonel William Paterson. He was an important explorer and soldier. His settlement used Green Island as a place to store food. This shows how important the island was for the early settlers in the area.
