Seal Island, also known as Seal Rock, is an
island
An island (or isle) is an isolated piece of habitat that is surrounded by a dramatically different habitat, such as water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An island ...
in the Australian state of
South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
located in
Encounter Bay
Encounter Bay is a bay in the Australian state of South Australia located on the state's south central coast about south of the state capital of Adelaide. It was named by Matthew Flinders after his encounter on 8 April 1802 with Nicolas Baudi ...
off the south coast of
Fleurieu Peninsula
The Fleurieu Peninsula () is a peninsula in the Australian state of South Australia located south of the state capital of Adelaide.
History
Before British colonisation of South Australia, the western side of the peninsula was occupied by the ...
approximately south-east of
Victor Harbor. It is located with the boundaries of the following
protected areas
Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...
- the
West Island Conservation Park and the
Encounter Marine Park
Encounter Marine Park is a marine park in South Australia. It is in the Fleurieu Peninsula in state of South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part ...
.
Description
Seal Island is located about south-east of Victor Harbor and east-north east of
Rosetta Head
Rosetta Head, known as Kongkengguwar by the Ramindjeri people but more commonly known as The Bluff, is a headland located on the south coast of Fleurieu Peninsula in Encounter Bay, South Australia, within the local government area of the City ...
(also known as The Bluff). The island is described as being "a mound of tumbled granite bounders scoured of soil" that "reaches above sea level".
[ The island is also known as Seal Rock.]
Flora and fauna
As of 1996, Seal Island was observed as having no vegetation while the only vertebrate animals observed was a breeding colony of silver gulls.[
]
History
The island's name is reported as suggesting the presence of an Australian sea lion or a New Zealand fur-seal colony on the island during the early 19th century.
Protected areas status
Since 7 June 1979, Seal Island has been located with the boundaries of the West Island Conservation Park.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Seal Island (Encounter Bay)
Islands of South Australia
Uninhabited islands of Australia
Encounter Bay