Tumby Island facts for kids

Tumby Island is a small island located in Spencer Gulf, a large bay in South Australia. It's about 500 meters (that's half a kilometer!) east of a place called Tumby Point. This island is a special place because it's a conservation park, covering 35 hectares. That's like protecting a big piece of nature! You can sometimes walk to the island at low tide across shallow water and sand. But remember, it's important to ask for permission from the government (DEWNR) before you visit. Also, be careful because there are Death adders (a type of snake) on the island.

Discovering Tumby Island: A Look Back

How Tumby Island Got Its Name

The island was first named in 1802 by an explorer named Matthew Flinders. He named it after his home parish in England.

A Big Shark Story

Imagine this: On April 20, 1909, a huge great white shark was caught near Tumby Island! It was caught by Captain Simms and his crew on their fishing boat, the Minnie Simms. This shark was enormous, measuring about 15 to 16 feet long. That's longer than a car! Its jaws were 2 feet wide, and some of its teeth were even bought by people in Tumby Bay as souvenirs.

A Sad Boating Accident

On December 26, 1914, a sad event happened near Tumby Island. A boat named Dolphin was on its way to the island from Tumby Bay when it overturned. While six people on board survived, one person, Mr. W. A. L. Williams, sadly passed away. This was the first boating accident of its kind recorded in the area.

Protecting Tumby Island

In 1969, Tumby Island was officially made a Conservation Park. This means it's a protected area managed under a special law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. The main goal is to keep the island's nature safe. The island is considered a very important conservation area. This means it's strictly protected to keep its plants, animals, and natural features safe, with very limited human visits.

What You'll Find on Tumby Island

Beaches and Fishing Spots

On the northern side of Tumby Island, there's a sandy beach that's about 350 meters long. In front of the beach, there are wide areas of rock and sand flats. The rest of the island has low rocky cliffs, which are steeper on the southern side. The waters around Tumby Island are well-known for fishing. People often catch fish like snapper and tommy ruff here. It's usually best to fish from the mainland or from a boat.

Wildlife and Important Birds

As mentioned earlier, Tumby Island is home to Death adders. These snakes are venomous, so visitors need to be very careful and aware of their surroundings. The island is also a very important place for many different types of seabirds. They use the island to rest and to build their nests and raise their young. Some special and rare birds have been seen near Tumby Island, including the endangered fairy tern and the vulnerable eastern curlew and banded stilt. These birds need safe places like Tumby Island to survive.