Wolf Rock (Queensland) facts for kids
Wolf Rock is a special place in the ocean off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It's made up of four tall, pointy rocks that were formed by volcanoes a long, long time ago. These rocks are found about two kilometers (a little over a mile) north of a place called Double Island Point. This area is part of Cooloola in the Gympie Region.
Wolf Rock is very popular for scuba diving. People love to explore the amazing underwater world around these rocks.
How Did Wolf Rock Get Its Name?
Some people say that Wolf Rock was named after one of Captain Cook's crew members. They believe this person, whose name was Archibald Wolfe, might have been the first to see the rocks. This happened when Captain Cook's ship was sailing around Double Island Point.
However, Captain Cook's own records don't mention these rocks. He also didn't write about anyone in particular seeing them first. So, while the story is interesting, we don't know for sure if it's true!
Why Is Wolf Rock Important for Sharks?
Wolf Rock is a super important home for a special kind of shark called the grey nurse shark. The government of Queensland thinks it's the most important place for these sharks in the whole state.
Grey nurse sharks are an endangered species. This means there are not many of them left in the world. Wolf Rock is a key area where these sharks come to mate and have their babies. Many female sharks, including pregnant ones, have been seen here.
Protecting the Sharks at Wolf Rock
Because Wolf Rock is so important for grey nurse sharks, it became a protected area on December 19, 2003. This means that no one is allowed to fish there at all. This rule helps keep the sharks safe and lets them live and reproduce without being disturbed.
While fishing is not allowed, people can still go scuba diving at Wolf Rock. This way, divers can enjoy seeing the sharks and other marine life without harming them. Protecting places like Wolf Rock helps make sure that amazing creatures like the grey nurse shark can survive for many years to come.
