Middle Island (Western Australia) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Middle Island

Middle Island, Recherche Archipelago Nature Reserve, April 2011
Middle Island Location in Western Australia Location in Western Australia
Geography
Location	Off the south coast of Western Australia
Coordinates	34°06′00″S 123°11′27″E / 34.1001°S 123.1907°E / -34.1001; 123.1907
Archipelago	Recherche Archipelago
Area	1,080 ha (2,700 acres)
Length	6.5 km (4.04 mi)
Highest elevation	185 m (607 ft)
Highest point	Flinders Peak
Administration
Australia

Middle Island (which means Île du Milieu in French) is a fascinating island located off the southern coast of Western Australia. It is part of the beautiful Recherche Archipelago.

This island is the largest in the archipelago. It stretches about 6.5 kilometres (4 mi) long. Middle Island covers an area of 1,080 hectares (2,669 acres). It is located about 9 kilometres (6 mi) from Cape Arid on the mainland. A smaller island called Goose Island is right next to it.

Exploring Middle Island

Middle Island was first named by a French explorer called D'Entrecasteaux. Later, in January 1802, another famous explorer, Matthew Flinders, visited the island. He climbed the highest point, which is 185 metres (607 ft) tall. This peak was later named Flinders Peak in his honor. From the top, he could see all the islands around.

The Pink Lake

One of the most amazing features of Middle Island is its unique pink lake, called Lake Hillier. The water in this lake is a bright bubblegum pink! John Thistle, who was the Master of the ship Investigator with Matthew Flinders, even collected some salt samples from this special lake.

Early Visitors and Activities

Many years after Flinders, in 1818, Philip Parker King anchored his ship near the island. He accidentally lost two anchors, which were found much later in 1973.

During the 1800s, people who hunted seals often used Middle Island as a base. There were also operations to hunt whales in the bay around the island. This happened in the 1870s and possibly even earlier, in the 1840s.

Tales of Pirates and Shipwrecks

Middle Island has a history filled with exciting stories, including pirates and shipwrecks!

The Pirate Black Jack Anderson

In the 1820s and 1830s, a pirate known as Black Jack Anderson used Middle Island as his secret hideout. From here, he would launch raids on ships sailing between Adelaide and Albany.

Ships Lost at Sea

Several ships have been wrecked off the coast of Middle Island over the years:

• The Belinda was wrecked here in 1824.
• In 1826, eight English sailors were left stranded on Middle Island by their ship's captain. Luckily, a French explorer named Dumont d’Urville found them aboard his ship, the Astrolabe.
• The Mary-Jane was lost near the island in 1875.
• The Rodondo was wrecked in 1894.
• The Eclipse met a similar fate in 1898.
• The SS Penguin was wrecked in 1920 while trying to find shelter from a strong storm.

Salt Mining Attempts

In 1889, a man named Edward Andrews thought he could make money by collecting salt from the pink Lake Hillier. He moved to the island with his two sons and worked the salt deposits for about a year. However, they eventually left the island.

Island Wildlife

Middle Island is home to some interesting animals. You can find populations of the tammar wallaby here. The bush rat also lives on the island.

Sketch of view from Middle Island from the Westall collection looking toward Cape Arid