Nickname:Big Witch | |
|---|---|
 Detailed map of De Witt Island | |
| Etymology | Cornelis Jan Witsen, a Commissioner of theDutch East India Company[1] |
| Geography | |
| Location | South West Tasmania |
| Coordinates | 43°35′24″S146°21′00″E / 43.59000°S 146.35000°E /-43.59000; 146.35000 |
| Archipelago | Maatsuyker Islands Group |
| Adjacent to | Southern Ocean |
| Area | 516 ha (1,280 acres)[2]: 18 |
| Width | 3 km (1.9 mi)[3] |
| Highest elevation | 340 m (1120 ft)[3] |
| Administration | |
Australia | |
| State | Tasmania |
| Region | South West |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Unpopulated |
| Additional information | |
| Register of the National Estate | |
De Witt Island, also known as Big Witch, is anisland located close to thesouth-western coast ofTasmania, Australia. The 516-hectare (1.99 sq mi) island is the largest of theMaatsuyker Islands Group, and comprises part of theSouthwest National Park and theTasmanian WildernessWorld Heritage Site. The island is listed on the AustralianRegister of the National Estate.[2]
De Witt Island lies some 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south of Louisa Bay, on Tasmania's south coast.Abel Tasman discovered it in 1642 and named itWitsen orWits Eijlanden.[1] The island is broadly triangular in shape, some 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) across, with cliffs ranging from 250 to 300 metres (820 to 980 ft) high to the south on all sides except a part of the central north coast. The highest parts of the island are located very close to the south coast, and enclose a north-facing basin. The island's 340-metre (1,120 ft) summit is located very closeto its southernmost point.[3] Although currently uninhabited, it has a long history of human usage, including logging and occasional habitation.[2][4] The island is part of the Maatsuyker Island GroupImportant Bird Area, identified as such byBirdLife International because of its importance as a breeding site for seabirds.[5]
The island is extensivelyforested with the principal species beingEucalyptus nitida,swamp gum andmessmate. Sheltered areas also haveleatherwood andmyrtle beech.[2]
Recorded breedingseabird andwader species are thelittle penguin (500 pairs),short-tailed shearwater (11,000 pairs),fairy prion (50 pairs),silver gull andsooty oystercatcher.Swift parrots have been recorded.Mammals present include theTasmanian pademelon,long-nosed potoroo andswamp rat.Reptiles recorded are themetallic skink andTasmanian tree skink.[2][4]
