Map by Peter Rigozzi - FoTI
The island was recorded as "Petite I. de Tasman" by the French expedition of 1792 led by Rear Admiral Bruny-D'Entrecasteaux in reference to Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, the first European to sight Tasmania
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Map by Peter Rigozzi - FoTI |
The island was recorded as "Petite I. de Tasman" by the French expedition of 1792 led by Rear Admiral Bruny-D'Entrecasteaux in reference to Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, the first European to sight Tasmania |
Tasman Island is part of the Tasman National Park, located off the south east tip of the Tasman Peninsula. The island is 120 hectares in size rising up to 220 metres above sea level and surrounded by vertical dolerite cliffs and a plateau about 1.6 kms long and 1.0 km wide. The light station was opened in 1906 and de-manned in 1977. The light is now operated by solar energy, still in the existing lighthouse. The Friends of Tasman Island (FoTI) formed several years ago. It is a part of Wildcare Tasmania with about 70 members and has a focus on restoring the buildings and weed control measures (domestic weeds from the house gardens) which will enhance the historical and natural values of the island. In partnership with the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service and Tasman Rotary, work programs on the island are undertaken about 3 times a year by volunteers. Through fundraising, a series of lighthouse calendars are produced every year which helps pay for helicopter trips and materials required. (Access to the island is by using a helicopter, landing on a helipad near the lighthouse. The lighthouse and helipad are maintained by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.) The heritage and historical values consist of 4 existing brick buildings and the remains of several smaller buildings. On the north eastern side of the island the remains of the double tramway running down the cliff face to the landing platform, 20 metres above the sea can be seen. The tramway and the Zig Zag track were the original means of accessing the island with supplies and people prior to the de-manning of the lighthouse in 1977. The three light keepers quarters are still functional with Quarters 3 (nearest to the lighthouse) the building used when volunteers and PWS (Parks and Wildlife Service) visit the island. On the plateau are the ruins of other smaller buildings, which have collapsed during windy weather conditions, such as the winch shed, generator shed, and relief keepers house. During the period of the light keepers residence, much of the island was grazed and in the early days timber was cut for firewood. Flocks of up to 500 sheep, cattle, pigs and goats grazed the plateau. Over the last 30 years about 50% of the plateau has revegetated with thick stands of Banksia and Allocasuarina species. Large areas have thick grassland up to a metre high.
Seven Threatened Species are present on or visit the island. Endangered flora includes the Masked Cliff Eyebright and the Peninsula Eyebright, and the locally endemic Allocasuarina crassa and Poa poiformis. About 120 specimens of plants have been recorded and collected and each visit to the island produces further specimens for the collection at the Tasmanian Herbarium in Hobart. Visiting birdlife includes Fairy Prion, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Wandering Albatross, Shy Albatross and Wedge-tailed Eagle. An Envirofund Grant from the Commonwealth Govt. and sponsorship from the Australian Geographic Society have helped in the control of weeds and ongoing works on the island. PHOTO GALLERY |
