The Cervantes Islands are a small group of islands to the south-west of the locality of Cervantes, both within the Shire of Dandaragan in Western Australia. They are 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Thirsty Point at the southern side of the locality, approximately 180 kilometres (110 mi) north-west of Perth.[a]

Cervantes Islands
Map
Cervantes Islands is located in Western Australia
Cervantes Islands
Cervantes Islands
Location of Cervantes Islands in Western Australia
EtymologyAmerican whaling ship named after writer Miguel de Cervantes that was wrecked off north island in June 1844
Geography
LocationIndian Ocean
Coordinates30°31′35″S 115°02′45″E / 30.52646°S 115.045843°E / -30.52646; 115.045843
Total islands3
Area285.16 ha (704.6 acres)
Administration
StateWestern Australia
Local Government AreaShire of Dandaragan
Additional information
Time zone

Island group

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The Cervantes Islands are a group of three individual islands:

  • North Cervantes Island with an area of 284 hectares (701.8 acres) located 1.6 kilometres (1.0 mi) from the mainland with a maximum elevation of 8 metres (26 ft)
  • Middle Cervantes Island with an area of 0.45 hectares (1.1 acres) located 2.6 kilometres (1.6 mi) from the mainland
  • South Cervantes Island with an area of 0.71 hectares (1.8 acres) located 2.7 kilometres (1.7 mi) from the mainland[2]

The group sits within the Jurien Bay Marine Park[3] and the Turquoise Coast islands group, a chain of 40 islands spread over a distance of 150 kilometres (93 mi).[2] Cervantes Islands are located in the Cervantes Islands Nature Reserve, which was declared in 1968.[4] Australian sea lion are known to inhabit the islands.[5]

Cervantes Islands are named for an American whaling ship that was wrecked off the North island in June 1844,[6][1]: 55  which was named after the writer Miguel de Cervantes.[7]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Thirsty Point was earlier known as Wreck Point.[1]: 300 

References

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  1. ^ a b Murray, Ian; Hercock, Marion (2008). Where on the coast is that. Carlisle: Hesperian Press. ISBN 978-0-85905-452-2. OCLC 271860009.
  2. ^ a b "Turquoise Coast islands nature reserves management plan" (PDF). Government of Western Australia. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Nambung National Park, Hangover Bay and Kangaroo Point". Pinnacles Visitor Centre. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Marine CAPAD 2022 WA summary". www.dcceew.gov.au/. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Seal Watching Tours". Lobster Shack. 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  6. ^ "Shipwrecks Audio Transcript - Tilting at whales". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2003. Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  7. ^ Maria Elena Knolle Cano. "The Spanish vs the Australian Cervantes". Spanish Australia Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2015.