Woody Island (Western Australia) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Woody Island Nature Reserve Western Australia
IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
Skinny Dip Bay on Woody Island Nature Reserve in August 2012
Woody Island Nature Reserve Location in Western Australia
Nearest town or city	Esperance
Area	2.4 km2 (0.9 sq mi)
Visitation	16,000 (in 2003-04)
Managing authorities	Department of Parks and Wildlife
See also	List of protected areas of Western Australia

Woody Island is a special island located off the south coast of Western Australia. It is part of the Goldfields-Esperance region. This island is a protected area, meaning its nature is kept safe.

Discovering Woody Island: Location and Size

Woody Island is quite close to the town of Esperance, Western Australia. It is only about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) away. This island is one of many islands in the Recherche Archipelago. It is officially known as a nature reserve, which helps protect its plants and animals.

The island is not very big. It is about 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) long. Its total area is around 240 hectares (590 acres).

A Look Back: History of Woody Island

People have used Woody Island for a long time. Even before 1896, settlers brought sheep to graze there. They also collected wood from the island. These goods were then taken to Esperance to be sold.

Sheep continued to graze on the island until 1954. That year, the entire Recherche Archipelago was made a Nature Reserve. This decision helped protect the natural environment.

Woody Island: A Place for Visitors

Woody Island is special because it is the only island in the archipelago that people can visit. You can get there by taking daily boat cruises. There are also places to stay overnight if you want to explore more.

In 1973, a tour operator named Dan MacKenzie was allowed to bring visitors to the island. His family built the jetty that visitors still use today to get off the boats. In 1985, the MacKenzie family also received permission to offer overnight stays.

A new visitor center was opened on the island in 1999. It cost 500,000 Australian dollars. Many people enjoy visiting Woody Island. Over 16,000 tourists came to the island each year around 2003-2004.

What You Can Do: Facilities and Activities

Woody Island has several things for visitors to enjoy. There is an interpretive center where you can learn about the island's nature. You can also grab a bite to eat at the cafe.

For fun in the water, there is a swimming platform with a slide. You can also follow a special snorkeling trail to see underwater life.

Amazing Plants: Flora of Woody Island

The island's name, Woody Island, comes from all the trees that grow there. Even though it's a small island, it has many different kinds of plants.

For example, you can find:

• 7 types of carnations and sedges
• 20 types of daisies
• 12 types of grass
• 11 types of myrtle
• 9 types of peas and wattles
• 4 types of trigger plants
• 3 types of saltbush
• 2 types of hakeas

Trees and Shrubs on Woody Island

Some of the larger shrubs and trees on the island are:

• Five types of Acacia trees, including Acacia conniana and Acacia acuminata.
• Callitris preissii
• Calothamnus quadrifidus
• Eucalyptus conferruminata
• Eucalyptus cornuta
• Hakea clavata
• Melaleuca elliptica
• Paraserianthes lophantha
• Taxandria marginata

Flowers Among the Rocks

You can also find beautiful flowers growing among the granite rocks. These include:

• The Sticky Tailflower Anthocercis viscosa subsp caudata
• Astartea fascicularis
• Centaurium spicatum
• Billardiera fusiformis