Fitzroy Island is a small uninhabited island in the Tasman Sea, about 160 kilometres northeast of Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. The island is part of the Australian National Park, and is designated as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it supports breeding seabirds. It is also home to the only mainland population of reptiles in Tasmania.
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History
The island was first sighted by Dutch explorers in 1642, but it wasn’t settled until 1814 when two Englishmen, Edward Wakefield and Humphrey Waldron, built a hut on the south-east coast. They named their island after Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), who had fled to France to try to regain the thrones of England and Scotland. The island became part of Tasmania in 1825. Fitzroy Island lies in the southern part of Oyster Cove, visible from Hobart. The island is roughly circular and rises between 40-70 metres above sea level.
Climate
The climate is temperate, with an average temperature of around 18 degrees Celsius. The weather is changeable and can be very windy, which makes it difficult to operate a vehicle on the island.
Ecology
The island supports a variety of endemic plants and animals, including two mainland populations of reptiles – the eastern Whip-poor-will and the common carpet python. There are also several types of birds that live on the island, such as the endangered Tasmanian endemic over-wintering finch and the widespread bufflehead duck.
Fauna
There are numerous species of birds on Fitzroy Island, especially seabirds (sea eagles and sooty oyster catchers). Other permanent residents include penguins and several varieties of land bird including magpies, ravens, thrushes, currawongs etc.
Culture
The island is home to a small population of people who live traditional lifestyles, mainly hunting and gathering. Traditional tools and weapons used by islanders include boomerangs, spears and stone hatchets. There are still speakers of the Tasmanian Aboriginal language here.
In 1973, a 52-year old couple from France arrived on the island looking for somewhere peaceful to live and died together in 2010 after some health problems occurred leading to depression, which ultimately claimed their lives.
Politics
Since the French couple’s deaths, the island has been subject to a number of discussions about its future. Some people want it to be turned into a tourist destination, while others maintain that its unique cultural heritage should be preserved.
Government Services
The island is not serviced by regular mail or phone services. Activists have been trying to make the island accessible through satellite phone, however this service is only tested and has limited availability.
Captivity
Hugo Dillon’s skeleton was removed from the rather remote island in 1870 and taken via steamship to Sydney for presentation at a scientific meeting (the parsonage now bears his name). The skeletal remains were repatriated together with a human skull on 26 November 1999 when it was decided no further examination of the skull was needed.
Tourism
The island is open to tourists who can stay in traditional Aboriginal-style campsites. As well as the Tasmanian aboriginal community, birds are key species that attract tourists and their campsites.
Recreation
The island is home to a number of small Aboriginal communities (called Nalani) with access to limited amenities including electricity provided by solar power systems. Road building and jetty construction have been undertaken over recent years leading tot he expansion of private tourism opportunities available here..
Transport
The only transport to the island is by boat and it is only accessible during daylight hours. Some attempts to build a boat ramp have been undertaken but are only in the preliminary stages.
Tasmania’s economic crisis and increasing costs of fuel led to sales being suspended as part of a $20 million government/Indigenous community program by October 2009, with funding available for Aboriginal owners including permanent disability support – also known as “survivor” payments.
Cuisine
The staple food on the island is traditional aboriginal tucker comprised of fish, eels, crabs and birds. There are also a range of vegetables grown by the local communities. Sweetened condensed milk is used as a major source of nutrition for the islanders and desserts often include bilberry jelly or sticky white syrup made from sugar cane while flour forms an important part of their diet baked into breads or used in biscuits and cakes. Orders of the day
Despite being a private community and not the traditional owner as defined by Australian common law, Aboriginal Tasmanians receive from $205 to more than $2,500 per month in “survivor” payments.
Wildlife
The island is home to a number of endangered species, including the Tasmanian devil and the hooded plover. It also contains significant areas of pristine forest which support a wide range of feral animals. Current risks
There is little threat of a major event (earthquake or volcanic eruption) that would be catastrophic to the island’s community.
Historical background Regarding the affairs of these people and their dealings with government – see The history Award-winning documentary Current Situation Air tight: Sexuality, legal status and survival Tasmanian Aboriginal communities are recognised as an indigenous group in Tasmania but not as land owners Hence they make no income from a managed area on the mainland.
The nature of this money was described as “survivor” or social security payments (mainly now referred to in Australia as compensatory benefits) administered by the Tasmanian state government and resulting from various court decisions made between 1976-89 which determined that their status had not been sufficiently protected since 1969.
Conclusion
Fitzroy Island is a small, uninhabited island located in the Bass Strait near Port Philip, Victoria, Australia. It is a popular spot for recreational fishing and birdwatching. The island has a few beaches and is home to many seabirds, including the endangered Torres Strait Islander honeyeater.
FAQ
Where Is It Located?
Fitzroy Island is located in the Bass Strait near Port Philip, Victoria
What Countries Are Close By?
Port Phillip and Melbourne are both close by.
How Big Is It?
Fitzroy Island is very small, only about 8 km2 in size.
How To Get To It?
You can reach Fitzroy Island by boat, or via a small airstrip.
Is The Island Dangerous?
No, Fitzroy Island is not dangerous.
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