Refuge Island (Tasmania)

Refuge Island is a flat granite island, with an area of about 6 ha, in south-eastern Australia. It is part of the Schouten Island Group, lying close to the eastern coast of Tasmania near the Freycinet Peninsula and is part of the Freycinet National Park.^[1]

Refuge Island, Freycinet National Park, in December 2021

History

Shore-based whaling activities were conducted on the island in the 1820s. George Meredity and William Maycock had rival whaling stations in 1829. The activity continued during the 1830 season.^[2]

Fauna

Recorded breeding seabird species are little penguin and short-tailed shearwater. The spotted skink is present.^[1]

References

1. Brothers, Nigel; Pemberton, David; Pryor, Helen; & Halley, Vanessa. (2001). Tasmania’s Offshore Islands: seabirds and other natural features. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: Hobart. ISBN 0-7246-4816-X
2. Nash, Michael (2003). The bay whalers; Tasmania's shore-based whaling industry (First ed.). Canberra: Navarine. p. 155. ISBN 978-0958656191.

42°10′S 148°15′E