Smooth Island (South Australia) facts for kids

Smooth Island is a small island in South Australia. It is found off the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula. This island is about 52 kilometers (32 miles) southwest of the town of Ceduna.

Smooth Island is part of two island groups. It belongs to the Isles of St Francis group. It is also part of the larger Nuyts Archipelago. Since the 1960s, Smooth Island has been a protected area. In 2011, it became part of the Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area. This means its nature is kept safe.

What Smooth Island Looks Like

Smooth Island is located within the Isles of St Francis group. This group is part of the Nuyts Archipelago. The island is about 52 kilometers southwest of Ceduna. It sits on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.

Some maps show the island about 200 meters (656 feet) north of St Francis Island. Other sources say it is almost 1 nautical mile (1.85 km) north of St Francis Island's northeast tip.

The island looks like a dome. Its highest point is 35 meters (115 feet) above the water. The sides of the island are steep. Smooth Island has a "teardrop" shape. It is about 500 meters (1,640 feet) long. It is about 300 meters (984 feet) wide.

It can be hard to reach Smooth Island by boat. This is because of its steep sides and the surrounding waters.

How Smooth Island Was Formed

Smooth Island was formed about 7,700 years ago. This happened when sea levels rose. This period was at the start of the Holocene era.

The island's base is made of granite. It has a thin layer of calcarenite rock on top. This rock layer is often broken into jagged pieces. There are also sandy areas in the low spots. These sandy areas are found where storm waves do not reach. The island's steep sides drop into deep water. The water around it is 20 meters (66 feet) deep or more.

History of Smooth Island

European Discovery and Naming

Matthew Flinders named Smooth Island in 1802. He named it because of its smooth, rounded shape. Later in 1802, the Baudin expedition to Australia also visited the island. They gave it a different name: Ile Malesherbes.

Plants and Animals of Smooth Island

Scientists have not done many surveys directly on Smooth Island. However, they have studied nearby Egg Island. They believe Smooth Island has similar plants and animals.

Island Plants (Flora)

Some plants likely found on Smooth Island include saltbush. Nitre-bush might also grow there. These plants would be in soil pockets within the calcarenite rock. The center of the island might have twiggy daisy-bush. This plant forms an open heath.

Underwater Plants

A survey in 2002 looked at plants underwater. It found that kelp from the Ecklonia group was common. This kelp grew on reefs at a depth of 22 meters (72 feet). Closer to the surface, at 5 meters (16 feet) deep, Cystophora and Sargassum species were dominant.

Island Animals (Fauna)

Many animals are likely to live on or visit Smooth Island. These include different types of birds and reptiles.

Seabirds and Land Birds

Seabirds like the sooty oystercatcher might be seen. The crested tern and pacific gull are also likely visitors. Larger birds like the white-bellied sea-eagle might fly over. Land birds such as the rock parrot and the richard's pipit could also visit the island.

Reptiles

Reptiles that might live on Smooth Island include the marbled gecko. The four-toed earless skink and the bull skink are also likely present.

Protecting Smooth Island

Smooth Island has been a protected area for a long time. It first became a fauna reserve in 1964. This meant it was a safe place for animals. In 1967, it became a fauna conservation reserve.

In 1972, Smooth Island became part of the Isles of St Francis Conservation Park. This park was created to protect island animals. It also aimed to save habitats for endangered species. On August 25, 2011, the island's protection changed. It became part of the new Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area.

The waters around Smooth Island are also protected. Since 2012, they are part of a sanctuary zone. This zone is within the Nuyts Archipelago Marine Park. This helps protect the marine life around the island.