Hibbs Pyramid facts for kids
 Hibbs Pyramid
Location in Tasmania
Location off the south western coast of Tasmania
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| Etymology | In honour of Peter Hibbs, an English mariner. |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Indian Ocean |
| Coordinates | 42°36′00″S 145°16′12″E / 42.60000°S 145.27000°E |
| Area | 4.65 ha (11.5 acres) |
| Highest elevation | 73 m (240 ft) |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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| State | Tasmania |
| Region | South West |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Hibbs Pyramid is a unique, pyramid-shaped island located in the Indian Ocean. It sits off the southwestern coast of Tasmania, a state in Australia. This special island is made of a tough rock called dolerite.
The island is part of the Southwest National Park. This park is also a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness, which is a World Heritage Site. This means it is a very important natural area, recognized globally for its beauty and wildlife.
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About Hibbs Pyramid
Hibbs Pyramid is a small island, covering about 4.65 hectares (which is about 11.5 acres). It is found in Hibbs Bay, right next to a place called Point Hibbs. The island rises 73 meters (about 240 feet) above sea level.
This island is part of a group of islands known as the Hibbs Pyramid Group. They are all located close to the central western coast of Tasmania. The closest town is Strahan, which is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) to the north.
Long ago, when explorers were mapping this region, Hibbs Pyramid was seen as a good place for ships to find shelter. It also helped ships unload materials safely along the coast.
Islands in the Hibbs Pyramid Group
The Hibbs Pyramid group includes several islands and rocks. These are:
- Hibbs Pyramid
- Leelinger Island
- Hays Reef
- Black Island
- Montgomery Rocks
Wildlife on Hibbs Pyramid
Hibbs Pyramid is home to many interesting animals. It is especially important for seabirds and shorebirds that come here to nest and raise their young.
Seabirds and Shorebirds
Some of the birds that breed on the island include:
- The little penguin, with about 820 pairs.
- The short-tailed shearwater, with a large colony of about 9,000 pairs.
- The sooty oystercatcher, a type of shorebird.
Marine Animals
Fur seals also visit a nearby rock to rest on the shore.
Reptiles
You can find different kinds of reptiles on the island too. These include:
- The metallic skink
- The Tasmanian tree skink
Whale and Dolphin Stranding
In 2003, a sad event happened near Hibbs Pyramid. A large group of 110 long-finned pilot whales and 20 bottle-nosed dolphins became stranded. Sadly, all of the animals died.
Why is it called Hibbs Pyramid?
The island, along with nearby places like Hibbs Bay, Hibbs Lagoon, Hibbs River, and Point Hibbs, are all named after Peter Hibbs. He was an English sailor who arrived in Australia in 1788. He came on a ship called HMS Sirius, which was part of the First Fleet that brought the first European settlers to Australia.
Later, in 1798-99, Peter Hibbs was in charge of a ship called the Norfolk. On this voyage around Tasmania, he sailed with famous explorers Matthew Flinders and George Bass. Flinders decided to name several features on Tasmania's west coast after Hibbs to honor him.
