Hopkins Island facts for kids

Hopkins Island is a small island found in Spencer Gulf, off the coast of South Australia. It is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) south-east of Port Lincoln.

The island was named by Matthew Flinders in 1802. He named it after John Hopkins, who was one of eight crew members lost when their boat overturned. Since 2004, Hopkins Island has been a protected area. It is now part of the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area.

About Hopkins Island

Hopkins Island is located about 32 kilometers (20 miles) south-east of Port Lincoln. It is also very close to Thistle Island. The island is shaped like a triangle. It is about 1,900 meters (6,200 feet) long and 950 meters (3,100 feet) wide.

The island covers an area of about 162 hectares (400 acres). Its highest point is 69 meters (226 feet) tall. There is a small beach on the north coast. This beach makes it possible to land on the island by boat. In 1910, people described the island as "low-lying and somewhat bare."

How the Island Formed

Hopkins Island was formed around 7,000 years ago. This happened when sea levels rose after the last ice age. The island's edges are made of granite rock. On top of this, there is a flat area of calcarenite rock. This flat area has a thick layer of soil.

The sea floor drops steeply near the island's north-west coast. On the south coast, the seabed slopes more gently. The water between Hopkins Island and Thistle Island is quite shallow. This is because both islands share the same rock base.

Plants and Animals

Hopkins Island is home to many different plants and animals.

Island Plants

In 1996, much of the island's flat top was covered in shrubland. This area had deep soil. The main plant there was marsh saltbush. In places with thinner soil, you could find tussock grass and nitre bush. Along the island's edges, where the soil is thin, heath bluebush grows.

Some weed species are also found on the island. These include African box thorn and common iceplant. Different types of grasses like red brome also grow there. These weeds may have spread because people tried to grow pasture for grazing animals on the island.

Land Animals

In the 1930s, people sometimes called the island "Snake Island." This was because there were many snakes and rats living there. People also saw many little penguins and "thousands" of mutton birds. Mutton birds are also known as short-tailed shearwaters.

The short-tailed shearwater is the most common animal on the island. In 1996, there were an estimated 69,700 adult birds. They lived in about 34,800 burrows. Other animals seen on the island include the bush rat and the black tiger snake. The island is also thought to be a breeding site for flesh-footed shearwaters.

Ocean Animals

Australian sea lions often use the beach on the island's north-west coast. They come ashore there to rest. In 1938, large tuna fish were caught near Hopkins Island. Some of these fish weighed up to 35 pounds (16 kg).

Island History

Hopkins Island was first seen by Europeans on February 20, 1802. This happened when Matthew Flinders sailed into what is now Spencer Gulf. He was on his ship, HMS Investigator.

Flinders officially named the island on February 24, 1802. He named it to remember John Hopkins. John Hopkins and seven other crew members drowned on February 21, 1802. Their small boat, a cutter, overturned near Cape Catastrophe.

What People Use the Island For

Guano Mining

Hopkins Island was one of several islands where guano was mined. Guano is the droppings of seabirds. It was used as a fertilizer. Mining happened under a special permit from the Government of South Australia before 1919.

Tourism

Today, Hopkins Island is a popular place for tourists. Many people visit to see, swim, and snorkel with Australian sea lions. It is a unique experience to interact with these marine animals in their natural home.

Protecting the Island

Hopkins Island has been a protected area since September 30, 2004. It is now part of the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area. Before this, it was part of the Lincoln National Park.

The island first became a protected area in 1965. It was called a fauna reserve. This means it was set aside to protect animals. This protection was made official under different laws over the years.