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Shark Island is an island located withinSydney Harbour, inNew South Wales, Australia. The island is 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres) in area,[1] measuring some 250 metres by 100 metres, and lies off theSydney suburbs ofPoint Piper,Rose Bay andVaucluse, in the eastern section of the harbour between theHarbour Bridge and the harbour entrance. The island was known by the localAboriginal people asBoambilly,[2] and the current name comes from its shape, which is claimed to resemble ashark.[3]Shark Island Light is an activepile lighthouse located just north of Shark Island. Its light is only visible from within the harbour’s fairway between Shark Point and Point Piper.[4]
The island has been the site of drownings, shipwrecks, and at least one shark attack. In 1877,Australian rules footballer andcricketerGeorge Coulthard, while sitting in a boat anchored offshore, was pulled overboard by a large shark. Coulthard managed to return to the boat, and his attack and escape were widely reported.
Parts of the island were set aside as a recreation reserve as early as 1879. It was also used as an animalquarantine station and naval depot until 1975. At that time it became exclusively a recreation reserve and part of theSydney Harbour National Park. Approved operators and a scheduled ferry service can take people to the island.[5][6][7]
ArchaeologistMary Harfield was born on the island.[8]
33°51′30.08″S151°15′27.50″E / 33.8583556°S 151.2576389°E /-33.8583556; 151.2576389
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