Needle Rocks

Map of the Maatsuyker Islands

Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse and Needle Rocks

The Needle Rocks, also known as the Needles, are a group of five main rocks with a combined area of about 10.5 ha, in south-eastern Australia. They are part of the Maatsuyker Island Group, lying close to the southern end of the south-western coast of Tasmania. They are part of the Southwest National Park, and thus within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site.^[1] They are also part of the Maatsuyker Island Group Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance as a breeding site for seabirds.^[2]

Fauna

The vegetation is dominated by the succulent plant Pig Face. Recorded breeding seabird and wader species are the Little Penguin (40 pairs), Short-tailed Shearwater (860 pairs), Fairy Prion (10,600 pairs), Pacific Gull, Silver Gull, Sooty Oystercatcher and Black-faced Cormorant. The Metallic Skink is present. Up to 1200 Australian Fur Seals use the rocks as a regular haul-out site.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Brothers, Nigel; Pemberton, David; Pryor, Helen; & Halley, Vanessa. (2001). Tasmania’s Offshore Islands: seabirds and other natural features. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: Hobart. ISBN 0-7246-4816-X
2. ^ BirdLife International. (2011). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Maatsuyker Island Group. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 09/08/2011.

Coordinates: 43°39′45″S 146°15′19″E / 43.6625°S 146.25528°E / -43.6625; 146.25528