The Low Rocky Point is a location on the south west coast of Tasmania and Australia, that is used as a location for weather forecasting. It is almost due west of Hobart, it is south of Point Hibbs and north of South West Cape.[1]

Low Rocky Point
Low Rocky Point is located in Tasmania
Low Rocky Point
Low Rocky Point
Location of Low Rocky Point in Tasmania
Coordinates: 42°59′24″S 145°29′24″E / 42.99000°S 145.49000°E / -42.99000; 145.49000
LocationSouth West Tasmania
Official nameTasmanian Wilderness
LocationOceania
Criteriaiii, iv, vi, vii, viii, ix, x
Reference181
Inscription1982 (6th Session)

Location and features

edit

An application was made to establish a shore-based bay whaling station in the area in the 19th century.[2] It is not clear if any whaling actually took place there.

Wrecks and other events in the region use the location as a reference point.[3][4][5]

In the early twentieth century, the need for a light was canvassed.[6][7][8]

It is also an important reference point for nautical maps.[9][10]

To the south east and east of the point is Elliott Bay. North of the point is the Lewis River, and the next headland south is Elliot Point approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) south east. High Rocky Point lies less than 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the north.[11][12][13]

It is also a location on the west coast walking track between Cape Sorell and Port Davey.[11]

Climate

edit
Climate data for Low Rocky Point, 1994–2022
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average rainfall mm (inches) 76.1
(3.00)
73.6
(2.90)
90.8
(3.57)
106.5
(4.19)
142.3
(5.60)
128.7
(5.07)
150.5
(5.93)
150.1
(5.91)
127.6
(5.02)
113.4
(4.46)
81.4
(3.20)
88.9
(3.50)
1,340.4
(52.77)
Source: Bureau of Meteorology (Climate Data Online);[14]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "WEST PASSAGE". The Mercury. Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 15 December 1938. p. 2. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  2. ^ Kathryn Evans, Shore-based whaling in Tasmania; historical research project; Volume 2; site histories, Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart, 1993, p.37.
  3. ^ "TASMANIA". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 16 January 1905. p. 8. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Divers find fishermen's bodies". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 23 December 1993. p. 5. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  5. ^ "THE WRECK OF THE BRIARHOLME". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 16 January 1905. p. 7. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  6. ^ "THE WEST COAST". Zeehan and Dundas Herald. Tas.: National Library of Australia. 12 July 1909. p. 4. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  7. ^ "WEST PASSAGE". The Mercury. Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 15 December 1938. p. 2. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  8. ^ ""FAULTY CHARTING AND TOO FEW LIGHTS"". The Mercury. Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 14 December 1938. p. 5. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  9. ^ Australian Government; Royal Australian Navy (2008). Trial Harbour to Low Rocky Point, Tasmania [cartographic material] (Map) (No. 1 ed.). 1:150,000. Hydrographic charts of Australian, Papua New Guinean and Antarctic waters; AUS 792. Wollongong, NSW: Australian Hydrographic Service. Mercator proj. (E 144°34'30"--E 145°33'54"/S 41°49'12"--S 43°04'24"). World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84)
  10. ^ Australian Government; Royal Australian Navy (2008). Hunter island to Low Rocky Point, Tasmania [cartographic material] (Map) (No. 1 ed.). 1:300,000. Hydrographic charts of Australian, Papua New Guinean and Antarctic waters; AUS 353. Wollongong, NSW: Australian Hydrographic Service.
  11. ^ a b Chapman, John (2008). South west Tasmania (5th ed.). John Chapman. pp. 180–191. ISBN 978-1-920995-03-4. Low Rocky Point is a potential helicopter 'supply dump' for walkers.
  12. ^ Moore, Thomas. The Last Explorer. pp. 219–232.
  13. ^ Binks, C. J. (1980). Explorers of Western Tasmania. Launceston: Mary Fisher Bookshop. ISBN 0-908291-16-7.
  14. ^ "Monthly rainfall Low Rocky Point, 1994-2022 averages". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 6 December 2022.