Waterhouse Island (Tasmania) facts for kids
Waterhouse Island is on the right side of Waterhouse Point.
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 Waterhouse Island
Location in Tasmania
Location of Swan Island off the coast of Tasmania
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| Etymology | Captain Henry Waterhouse |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Banks Strait, Bass Strait |
| Coordinates | 40°48′S 147°37′E / 40.800°S 147.617°E |
| Archipelago | Waterhouse Island Group |
| Total islands | 12 |
| Area | 287 ha (710 acres) |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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| State | Tasmania |
Waterhouse Island is a beautiful island off the coast of Tasmania, Australia. It's part of a group of islands called the Waterhouse Island Group. This island is made of granite and covers about 287-hectare (710-acre) (which is like 700 football fields!). It sits in a narrow sea passage called Banks Strait, which is part of the larger Bass Strait.
The Waterhouse Island Group includes Waterhouse Island itself, along with Little Waterhouse, Swan, Little Swan, Cygnet, Foster, St Helens, Ninth, Tenth, Paddys, Maclean, and Baynes islands. There are also smaller rocky islets like Bird Rock and George Rocks.
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Exploring Waterhouse Island's Location
Most of Waterhouse Island is privately owned. However, a large part of it, about 107 hectares (260 acres), was made into the Waterhouse Island Conservation Area in 2011. This special area helps protect the island's natural environment. It covers almost all the land from the low-water mark (where the ocean meets the land at its lowest point) up to about 45 metres (148 ft) inland. There's also a 35-hectare (86-acre) protected area at the northern tip of the island.
A lighthouse stands on the northern point of the island. It helps guide ships safely through the waters.
Waterhouse Island's Climate and Landscape
Waterhouse Island has a mild climate, similar to the Mediterranean. This means it has warm summers and cooler winters. It gets about 600 millimetres (24 in) of rain each year, spread out fairly evenly, but with a bit more rain in the late winter.
The island has lovely white sand beaches on its eastern and southeastern sides. The western and northern coasts are mostly rocky. The calm waters around the island make it a safe place for yachts and small boats to stop when they are traveling through Bass Strait. People also enjoy fishing in the surrounding waters for both fish and shellfish.
Waterhouse Island's Past and Present Use
People have used Waterhouse Island for a long time. As early as 1802, people came here for sealing.
For the last 150 years, the island has mainly been used for farming, especially raising sheep. The island has a house, a cottage, a shed for shearing wool, and other buildings for farm equipment. The homes are built on the eastern side, protected from the strong westerly winds, and are close to the sandy beaches.
The island has a working wharf where boats can dock, and two airstrips for small planes. Large freight boats can also pull up onto the protected sandy beaches on the east and southeast sides.
Caring for Waterhouse Island's Environment
Before the 1970s, too much sheep grazing caused some damage to the island's plants. However, the current owners, who have been there since the 1970s, have worked hard to protect the island. They have fenced off sensitive areas and planted many new trees and plants. The grazing areas now mostly have grasses that were brought to the island.
In the past, grazing also caused erosion (when soil washes away), which affected the homes of seabirds like short-tailed shearwaters. Now, these areas are stable, and the homes of both little penguins and shearwaters are doing very well.
How Waterhouse Island Got Its Name
The island is named after Captain Henry Waterhouse. He was the captain of a ship called the Reliance. In 1802, a French explorer named Nicolas Baudin visited the island. He mistakenly thought the name "Waterhouse" meant there would be fresh water there, but he was wrong!
Animals of Waterhouse Island
Waterhouse Island is home to several interesting animals.
Seabirds and Their Life Cycle
Two types of seabirds are known to breed on the island:
- The little penguin, which is the smallest type of penguin.
- The short-tailed shearwater, a seabird that travels long distances.
Other Animals on the Island
Some mammals have been brought to the island by people over time. These include sheep, cats, fallow deer, and house mice.
The island also has several types of Reptiles:
- metallic skink
- spotted skink
- three-lined skink
- Bougainville's skink
- White's skink
- tiger snake
