NATIONAL WILDERNESS RED INDEX

Published by the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. 30/09/94
Level 2, 332 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
Ph (02) 9261 2400; Fax (02) 9261 2144.

Name:

MACQUARIE ISLAND

Nominated by:

Not recorded

Location:

South of Tasmania at a latitude of about 55 degrees south.

Size

For size and tenure information contact the Colong Foundation.

DESCRIPTION

Macquarie Island is the summit of a large underwater mountain rising
above sea level far to the south of Tasmania at a latitude of about
55 degrees south. The island is 32 kilometres long and averages
5 kilometres in width. Its dominant feature is an undulating plateau
at 300 metres above sea level with steep gullies falling to the
coast [1].

Vegetation on the island consists of herbland dominated by
species such as the Macquarie Cabbage and the Rosette plant.

The coastal areas of the island carry masses of ocean kelp
which is continually washed up on the shore line [2].

The island supports remarkable large numbers of animals, including
what is reputedly the world's larges colongy of penguins, at Hurd
Point; these are Royal Penguins which are endemic to the island.

The island also supports large colonies of Emperor Seals, King
Penguins, Rockhopper Penguins, many species of waterbirds and about
1,000 fur seals [3].

ENDANGERED SPECIES

LAND USE HISTORY

The only development of the island is the research station at
Buckles Bay. The station comprises about 50 buildings and other
research structures [4].

CONSERVATION HISTORY

THREATS

CONTACTS

Fish. No contacts are recorded from that area.

ENDNOTES
1 Prineas, P., Lembit, R., Fisher, N., 1986, "Australia's Wilderness An Inventory".

2 Prineas, 1986.

3 Prineas, 1986.

4 Prineas, 1986.

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