Fish Point (Houtman Abrolhos)

Fish Point is a point in the north-eastern corner of East Wallabi Island in the Houtman Abrolhos island chain off the coast of Western Australia. It is located at 28°25′40″S 113°44′34″E / 28.42778°S 113.74278°E / -28.42778; 113.74278.[1][2] It sits at the foot of Flag Hill, the highest peak on East Wallabi Island, and its western edge looks out onto Turtle Bay.[3]

It was discovered in May 1840 by John Clements Wickham, Commander during the third voyage of HMS Beagle:

"Flag Hill... has a long finger-shaped point running out from its foot in a north-east direction, to which we gave the name of Fish Point, from the number of snappers we caught there. They were so voracious that they even allowed themselves to be taken with a small bit of paper for a bait."[4]

It is now one of the most popular locations for tourists in the Wallabi Group.[5] It is a popular dive site, with coral occurring within swimming distance of the shore.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Gazetteer of Australia (1996). Belconnen, ACT: Australian Surveying and Land Information Group.
  2. ^ "Fish Point". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government.
  3. ^ Australia 1:100000 Topographic Survey, Map sheet 1641 (Edition 1): Wallabi
  4. ^ Stokes, John Lort (1846). Discoveries in Australia, Volume 2. London: T. and W. Boone. Retrieved 2007-11-18.
  5. ^ Webster, F. J., Dibden, C. J., Weir, K. E. and Chubb, C. F. "Executive Summary". Towards an assessment of the natural and human use impacts on the marine environment of the Abrolhos Islands. Retrieved 2007-11-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Recreational use". Abrolhos Islands Visitors Guide. Retrieved 2007-11-21.