Nickname: The Needles | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | South WestTasmania |
| Coordinates | 43°39′45″S146°15′19″E / 43.66250°S 146.25528°E /-43.66250; 146.25528 |
| Archipelago | Maatsuyker Islands Group |
| Adjacent to | Southern Ocean |
| Area | 10.5 ha (26 acres)[1] |
| Administration | |
Australia | |
| State | Tasmania |
| Region | South West |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Unpopulated |
TheNeedle Rocks, also known as the Needles, are a group of five mainrock islets located close to thesouth-western coast ofTasmania, Australia. With a combined area of approximately 10.5 hectares (0.041 sq mi), the islets are part of theMaatsuyker Islands Group, and comprise part of theSouthwest National Park and theTasmanian WildernessWorld Heritage Site.[1][2]
TheMaatsuyker Island Lighthouse is located onMaatsuyker Island and illuminates the Needle Rocks.
The vegetation is dominated by thepig face, asucculent plant.
The islets are part of the Maatsuyker Island GroupImportant Bird Area, identified as such byBirdLife International because of its importance as a breeding site for seabirds.[3] Recorded breedingseabird andwader species are thelittle penguin (40 pairs),short-tailed shearwater (860 pairs),fairy prion (10,600 pairs),Pacific gull,silver gull,sooty oystercatcher andblack-faced cormorant. Themetallic skink is present. Up to 1200Australian fur seals use the rocks as a regularhaul-out site.[2]
