Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area South Australia
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area Location in South Australia
Nearest town or city	Ceduna
Established	25 August 2011
Area	24.62 km2 (9.5 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Department for Environment and Water
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

The Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area is a special place in South Australia. It's a protected area located on islands off the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula. These islands are between 10 and 75 kilometers southwest of Ceduna.

This protection area includes land on many islands. Some of these are Blefuscu Island, Dog Island, Egg Island, and parts of Evans Island. It also covers the Franklin Islands, Freeling Island, Fenelon Island, Goat Island, Hart Island, and Lacy Islands. Other islands are Lilliput Island, Lound Island, Masillon Island, Purdie Islands, Smooth Island, St Francis Island, and West Island.

Protecting Nuyts Archipelago

This wilderness protection area was created on August 25, 2011. It was set up under the Wilderness Protection Act 1992. The main goal is to protect important island homes for many animals.

The area helps animals like the stick-nest rat and brush-tailed bettong. These animals are part of special programs to bring them back to the area. It also protects creatures like the carpet python and short-nosed bandicoot. Other important animals found here include the Australian sea lion and mutton birds.

How the Area Was Formed

The Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area was made from existing protected lands. It took land from the Isles of St Francis Conservation Park and part of the Nuyts Archipelago Conservation Park. Some land on Evans Island that was owned by the government was also included.

A small part of Evans Island is still used by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. This part is for a lighthouse. Since 2012, the waters around all these islands have also been protected. They are part of the Nuyts Archipelago Marine Park.

Wilderness Category

The Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area is known as an IUCN Category Ib protected area. This means it's a "Wilderness Area." These areas are usually large and untouched by humans. They are kept in their natural state to protect ecosystems and wildlife.