Byam Martin Island is an island that lies off the east coast of Tasmania. This island is known as one of Australia’s most isolated unspoiled natural wonders. A place whose beauty you can barely see in photos, let alone capture with your camera.
However, it is a place where you can learn to immerse yourself in its beauty and solitude. It makes a great place to introduce the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts to the ocean, and make them better prepared for adventures in the future.
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Byam Martin Island History
The island was first charted by Matthew Flinders in 1802 and named after the British naval officer Sir Edward Byam Martin. It remained uninhabited until 1863 when a sealer, John Hutchins, established a small settlement on the island.
The settlement grew slowly until 1901 when two brothers from Launceston sailed to the island in their yacht and began farming. Farming continued until 1916 when World War I interrupted trade with Australia and caused poverty and hardship to the settlement.
The settlers tried rafting timber overseas but failed until 1929 when a ship captain named Arthur Roth established car shops on the island and built houses for his employees.
At this point, the population had risen to 16 adults and 12 children in arms after many years of neglect by both Government authorities and private owners who were reluctant to invest resources into what was seen as an outpost without any future prospects because it possessed no port facilities or other conveniences (see “Ships sinking in Tasman浩”).
Despite World War 2 and the loss of employment due to it, the population grew further. On 1 January 1973, a state law was enacted allowing other groups to claim land on Groote Eylandt which allowed others that had leased or bought parts of the island including new settlers from Australia and Germany who worked mainly sheep-farming in the area between Huon River up until 1975 when prospectors arrived.
Within two days of their arrival, 73 copper and gold claims were staked. In 1979 the 1 sq mile area was sold to Australian Television Network (ATN) who in turn had it developed as a holiday resort and tourist facility with new houses built on the island or bought from other settlers.
Climate
Climate is tropical and varies little from season to season. The weather is warm all year round, with occasional showers in winter. In summer, it’s hot and humid with a chance of hurricanes or cyclones (see “Holidays”). Winters are mild but the daytime temperature remains cooler than that at night.
The island has two seasons: dry/windy and wet/rainy”.
Dry Season runs from November to March, with the lightest winds. The average daily temperature is about 20 C (70 F) during this season and sea-breezes may provide some relief from the heat. It’s when there are no trees for shade that local Aborigines make a living nowadays; plastering their bodies almost black in order to ward off the intense sun’s rays as they seek shelter under rocks or clumps of grass (“I’m going north” “gonna get me a drink” “got some meat left”).
Jellyfish are common during January and February, especially in the north of the island where there’s no shade. Between April to October is the wet/rainy season when temperatures average at about 30C (86F). There will be rain anytime between March to November; hot weather is better out of town.
Culture
The people of South Sea Islander descent are the descendants of Polynesian seafarers who settled on these islands 2,000 years ago. There is no one dominant tribe or culture – each community has its own traditions and customs.
The traditional diet, based on coconuts and other fruits, vegetables, and fish, remains largely unchanged although many islanders now also enjoy imported foodstuffs. The majority of the population speaks English as their first language. Those who wish to learn it joins local classes.
Politics
The South Sea Islands are a self-governing territory with their own parliament and government headed by the Administrator. There is no military or police force but there is a Coast Guard to help maintain law and order.
The currency is the Solomon Islands dollar (SBD). Travelers cheques are widely accepted throughout the islands and major hotels will accept travellers cheques or credit cards.
Government services
Most government services are available in English. Medical care is available in most major towns and villages, with some clinics also offering medical tourism.
Telephone service is good throughout the islands although mobile phone coverage can be patchy at best outside of urban areas. International calls are relatively cheap, but local calls can be expensive.
Tourism
South Sea Island tourism is a growing sector and the islands are now popular destinations for both domestic and international travelers. There are many pleasant places to stay in all of the main towns, as well as plenty of opportunities to enjoy island leisure activities such as hiking, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and snorkeling.
Visitors should be aware that some areas on the islands can be remote and there may not always be convenient access to facilities such as eating and accommodation. Travelers should also be aware that some of the practices in local communities have been known to affect outsiders, with visitors being subject to curiosity about their customs or beliefs.
Wherever possible visitors are encouraged to observe customary traditions as much as possible; however, it is imperative for travelers on remote islands not wishing to cause offense by doing so, simply do not engage in certain activities such as mooching around village gatherings uninvited (e .g. Panha).
Transport
There are regular flights to the islands from Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. The main airports are statutorily Papeete Airport on Tahiti’s northern coast, Falealupo Airport near Papeete (on the northwest coast), and Honiara International Airport in Samoa. There are also regularly scheduled ferries linking Auckland, New Zealand; Suva, Fiji; Brisbane, Australia, and Honolulu/Lihue Hawaii with various connections on both sides of the International Date Line, usually once every 2–3 weeks.
Also, there are small boat services from Espírito Santo or Samoa to various islands east and west including Tahiti, So’Ana (one way) Moorea/Huahine, etc.
Wildlife
There is a great variety of flora and fauna on the islands. Species such as frigatebirds, tupehs (a type of feral pig), black rats, and several species of mongoose are endemic to particular islands. The most iconic animal is undoubtedly the bull elephant seal, which can be seen both onshore and in offshore breeding colonies around much of the archipelago during summer months; other animals commonly sighted include whales, dolphins, humpback, blue whales, whale sharks, and dugongs.
Some of the islands have active volcanoes, while others are surrounded by waterfalls cascading downward to turquoise lagoons resembling those found in Hawaii or New Zealand.
Conclusion
The life of a Traveller is hard enough, but what could be more difficult than finding the exact place yourself where you like to make your base? After all, the roads you have to travel go about everywhere, and the nearest thing is always a different place which might even be in a different state! It’s a challenge we’ve all been fought against many times. And, when it comes to finding a place that suits your liking, there are a few ideal places that are known to every traveler.
FAQs
1.Can I Visit Byam Martin Island By Boat Or Plane, And If So, How Do I Get There From My Country’s Port/Airport/Seaport?
Ans: Byam Martin Island is accessible by boat from Espírito Santo or Samoa.
2.Are There Any Remnants Of Old Buildings On The Island Today?
Ans: There are still remnants of old buildings on the island today, but they have been rebuilt or reconstructed with new materials and features.
3.Where Is Byam Martin Island Located?
Ans: Byam Martin Island is located in the central Pacific Ocean, about 2,000 kilometers east of New Zealand.
4.Why Did People Go To This Island In The Past?
Ans: Byam Martin Island was used as a penal colony from 1856 to 1963.
5.What Is Byam Martin Island?
Ans: Byam Martin Island is an island in the central Pacific Ocean that was first inhabited by Polynesian settlers about 1,000 years ago.
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