Smith Island (South Australia) facts for kids
 Smith Island
Location in South Australia
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Spencer Gulf |
| Coordinates | 34°58′59″S 136°01′44″E / 34.983°S 136.029°E |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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Smith Island is a small island in South Australia. It's found in the Spencer Gulf, off the coast of the Eyre Peninsula. The island is about 32 km (20 mi) south-east of Port Lincoln.
The famous explorer Matthew Flinders named the island in 1802. He named it after William Smith, one of eight crew members who sadly died. They were on a small boat called a cutter that capsized while looking for water. Since 2004, Smith Island has been a special protected place called the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area.
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About Smith Island
Smith Island is located about 32 km (20 mi) south-east of Port Lincoln. It is also 2.8 km (1.7 mi) south of Lewis Island and 1.8 km (1.1 mi) east of Cape Catastrophe.
The island is quite small, covering an area of about 4 ha (9.9 acres). Its highest point is about 22 m (72 ft) above sea level. It can be tricky to land on Smith Island because of the strong waves and currents around its shores.
How Smith Island Was Formed
Smith Island was formed around 9,100 years ago. This happened when sea levels rose at the beginning of the Holocene period.
The island is made mostly of granite rock. On top of the granite, there's a flat layer of calcarenite, which is a type of limestone. This calcarenite is covered by a thick layer of soil. Under the water, the island rises steeply from a depth of 30 m (98 ft) very close to its edges.
Plants and Animals on Smith Island
Island Plants (Flora)
In 1996, scientists found 23 different types of plants on Smith Island. Most of these plants grow in the thinner soil around the edges of the island's flat top. In areas with deeper soil, you can find plants like marsh saltbush and grey saltbush.
Island Animals (Fauna)
Smith Island is home to many interesting animals. In 1936, there were many Australian sea lions living on the island.
Many seabirds also use the island for nesting. Short-tailed shearwaters and white-faced storm petrels dig burrows in the soil to lay their eggs. In 1996, a breeding colony of flesh-footed shearwaters was discovered on the island. By 2013, there were about 150 breeding pairs of flesh-footed shearwaters reported on Smith Island.
History of Smith Island
European explorers first saw Smith Island on February 20, 1802. This was when Matthew Flinders and his ship, HMS Investigator, sailed into what is now Spencer Gulf.
Flinders officially named the island on February 24, 1802. He did this to remember William Smith, who was one of eight crew members who drowned. Their small boat, a cutter, capsized near Cape Catastrophe on February 21, 1802.
Protecting Smith Island
Smith Island has been a protected area for many years. Since September 30, 2004, it has been part of the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area. Before that, it was part of the Lincoln National Park.
The island first became a protected area in 1965 to help conserve its wildlife. As of December 2012, the waters around Smith Island are also protected as part of the Thorny Passage Marine Park. This helps protect the marine life in the ocean around the island.
