Elizabeth Island lies just south of French Island in

Western Port Western Port, ( Boonwurrung: ''Warn Marin'') commonly but unofficially known as Western Port Bay, is a large tidal bay in southern Victoria, Australia, opening into Bass Strait. It is the second largest bay in the state. Geographically, it is ...

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

, south-eastern Australia, and just north of

Phillip Island Phillip Island ( Boonwurrung: ''Corriong'', ''Worne'' or ''Millowl'') is an Australian island about south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. The island is named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by explore ...

. It is over in area and is an

unincorporated area An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...

of Victoria, one of the few privately owned, freehold islands in Victoria. Once used for farming, it has been converted into a holiday retreat, with the establishment of a

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and housing facilities. Access is via boat, barge or helicopter.

Environment

The island rises to about above sea level, and comprises fertile soil on volcanic rock and sandstone. It is covered mostly in native grass, with areas of native trees and shrubs, and a few large pine trees. There are a variety of bird species on and around the island. The area off the north eastern coast provides a feeding ground for native birds, including swans, when the tide is very low. The

white-bellied sea eagle The white-bellied sea eagle (''Haliaeetus leucogaster''), also known as the white-breasted sea eagle, is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Originally described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788, it is closely related t ...

can be seen on the island at times, and nests on nearby French Island. The shoreline consists of pebblestone beach, with small areas of

mangroves A mangrove is a shrub or tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water. The term is also used for tropical coastal vegetation consisting of such species. Mangroves are taxonomically diverse, as a result of convergent evolution in severa ...

, sandstone, larger rocks, and some small areas of sand. There are a number of rock pools. The southern part of the island provides constant deep-water access and is close to a deep-water channel where various sea life is found. The island has direct access to Westernport Bay. There is a small rocky peninsula on the south eastern corner of the island, with mangroves and grasses. This area becomes separated at high tide.

History

The island bears the remnants of a shipwreck on its western beach, believed to be the rescue boat off a German ship. A former owner crashed his aeroplane on French Island attempting to view Elizabeth Island, having recently purchased it in a bar.

References

External links

Department Of Primary Industries - Victorian Resources OnlineOfficial Website
{{Authority control Unincorporated areas of Victoria (state) Islands of Victoria (state) Western Port Islands of Australia (tenure: freehold) Private islands of Australia