Veteran Isles facts for kids
 Veteran Isles
Location in South Australia
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Great Australian Bight |
| Coordinates | 33°44′34″S 134°17′05″E / 33.742752°S 134.284829°E |
| Area | 14 ha (35 acres) |
| Highest elevation | 82 m (269 ft) |
| Administration | |
The Veteran Isles are two small islands in South Australia, Australia. They are part of a bigger group of islands called the Investigator Group, which includes the Pearson Isles. These islands are about 69 kilometers (43 miles) west of Cape Finniss on the Eyre Peninsula.
Explorer Matthew Flinders found them on February 13, 1802. The islands got their name in 1969 to remember a name used by the Baudin expedition many years ago. The Veteran Isles have been a protected area since 1972. Since 2011, they have been part of the Investigator Group Wilderness Protection Area.
Contents
About the Veteran Isles
The Veteran Isles are two peaks located about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) south of Pearson Island. They are about 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles) apart. The northern island is 82 meters (269 feet) tall. The southern island is between 25 and 26 meters (82-85 feet) tall. Together, the islands cover an area of about 14 hectares (35 acres).
The northern island has some soil that supports small shrubs. The southern island has no soil or plants because ocean waves often wash over it. Getting to the islands by boat can be tricky. This is because the shoreline is steep and the sea can be rough.
How the Islands Were Formed
The Veteran Isles, like the rest of the Pearson Isles, were formed about 10,500 years ago. This happened when sea levels rose at the start of the Holocene period.
Geologically, these islands are the tops of ancient hills. These hills were mostly covered by the rising sea. The waters around the Veteran Isles are very deep. They quickly drop to depths of 50 meters (164 feet) or more right off the islands' shores.
Plants and Animals
Plants on the Islands
In 1996, the northern island had low shrubland plants. These were mostly marsh saltbush and twiggy daisy-bush. The southern island had no soil or plants. This is because strong ocean swells wash over it, taking away any soil or vegetation.
Animals on the Islands
Many animals live on or visit the Veteran Isles. These include mammals, birds, and reptiles.
- Mammals: The northern island is a resting spot for Australian sea lions and New Zealand fur seals. However, a survey in 2014 found no fur seals there. The southern island is also used by New Zealand fur seals. A 2014 survey even suggested it might be a breeding spot for them. Australian sea lions also visit the southern island.
- Birds: Birds that live on the northern island include the sooty oystercatcher, little penguin, and rock parrot. Visitors like Cape Barren geese have also been seen. On the southern island, sooty oystercatchers and Pacific gulls have been observed visiting.
- Reptiles: Reptiles found on the northern island include the marbled gecko, the four-toed earless skink, and the peninsula dragon.
Island History
European Discovery
The Veteran Isles are part of the group of islands that Matthew Flinders saw on February 13, 1802. He later named this group the Pearson Isles.
Naming the Islands
The South Australian government officially named the islands "Veteran Isles" in August 1969. This name is an English version of "Iles du Veteran," which was used by the Baudin expedition.
The name was chosen to keep alive a historical name. Even though it was hard to match the old maps with modern ones, the government wanted to honor the original explorers.
Protected Status
The Veteran Isles first became a protected area in 1972. They were made part of the Investigator Group Conservation Park. This was done to protect the delicate island environment. It also protected the resting areas for Australian sea lions and New Zealand fur seals.
On August 25, 2011, the Veteran Isles became part of the Investigator Group Wilderness Protection Area. Since 2012, the waters around the islands have also been protected. They are now part of a special sanctuary zone within the Investigator Marine Park.
