Shanks Islands facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Shanks Islands

Shanks Islands Location in Tasmania Location off the south western coast of Tasmania
Geography
Location	South western Tasmania
Coordinates	43°20′24″S 145°57′00″E / 43.34000°S 145.95000°E / -43.34000; 145.95000
Archipelago	Swainson Islands Group
Adjacent bodies of water	Southern Ocean; Port Davey
Total islands	5
Area	2.72 ha (6.7 acres)
Administration
Australia
State	Tasmania
Region	South West
Demographics
Population	Unpopulated

The Shanks Islands form a group of five small rocky islets located close to the south-western coast of Tasmania, Australia. Situated near where the mouth of Port Davey meets the Southern Ocean, the islets have a combined area of 2.72 hectares (6.7 acres) and are part of the Swainson Islands Group. They comprise part of the Southwest National Park and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site.

Fauna

The islets are part of the Port Davey Islands Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance for breeding seabirds. Recorded breeding seabird and wader species are the little penguin, short-tailed shearwater (8,700 pairs), fairy prion (5,000 pairs), silver gull, sooty oystercatcher and Caspian tern.