Wilsons Promontory

Wilsons Promontory is a peninsula that forms the southernmost part of the Australian mainland and is located at coord|39|02|S|146|23|E|. South Point at coord|39|08|06|S|146|22|32|E| is the southernmost tip of Wilsons Promontory and hence of mainland Australia. Located at nearby South East Point, (coord|39|07|S|146|25|E|) is the Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse.

Human History

The first European to see the promontory was George Bass in Jan 1798. [gutenberg|no=12929|name=A Voyage to Terra Australis by Matthew Flinders] He initially referred to it as "Furneaux's Land" in his diary, believing it to be what Captain Furneaux had previously seen. But on returning to Port Jackson and consulting with Matthew Flinders he was convinced that the location was so different it could not be that land. Bass and Flinders recommended the name Wilson's Promontory to Governor Hunter, honouring Flinders' friend from London Thomas Wilson. Little is known of Wilson except that he was a merchant engaged in trade with Australia. [gutenberg|no=7304|name=The Life of Captain Matthew Flinders by Ernest Scott]

The promontory has been a National Park, to one degree or another, since 1898. Wilsons Promontory National Park, also known locally as "the Prom", contains the largest coastal wilderness area in Victoria. The site was closed to the public during World War II, as it was used as a commando training ground. The only settlement within Wilsons Promontory is Tidal River which lies 30 km south of the park boundary and is the focus for tourism and recreation. This park is managed by Parks Victoria [http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au]

In 2005 a burn started by staff got out of control and burnt 13% of the park, causing the evacuation of campers. [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2005/s1337684.htm]

Geography

Coastal features include expansive intertidal mudflats, sandy beaches and sheltered coves interrupted by prominent headlands and plunging granite cliffs in the south, backed by coastal dunes and swamps.

Rivers

Tidal River is the main river in Wilson Promontory. It runs into Norman Bay and swells with the tide (hence the name 'Tidal River'). The river is a very interesting colour, a purple-yellow. This is due to the large amount of tea trees in the area, which stain the water with tannin, giving it a tea-like appearance.

Wildlife

Wilsons Promontory is home to many marsupials, native birds and other creatures. One of the most common marsupials found in the prom is the wombat, which can be found in much of the park (especially around camp-sites where it has been known to invade tents searching for food). The peninsula is also home to kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and emus. Some of the most common birds found on the promontory include crimson rosellas, yellow-tailed black cockatoos and superb fairy-wrens.

References

* Wilsons Promontory Resources, Parks Victoria [http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=217]