Penguin Island Conservation Park South Australia |
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IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
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View of Penguin Island from Cape Martin, South Australia
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Nearest town or city | Beachport |
Coordinates | 37°29′48″S 140°0′48″E / 37.49667°S 140.01333°ECoordinates: 37°29′48″S 140°0′48″E / 37.49667°S 140.01333°E |
Established | 1 August 1963 |
Area | 6 ha (15 acres) |
Managing authorities | Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources |
See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Penguin Island Conservation Park is a protected area occupying Penguin Island and part of Cape Martin on the mainland in Rivoli Bay on the south east coast of South Australia about 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) south of Beachport. The land on Penguin Island became subject to protection after the decommissioning of the Penguin Island Lighthouse in 1960 due to recognition by the South Australian government of ‘the importance of Penguin Island as a seabird haven’. Initially, the island was resumed under the Crown Lands Act 1929-57 and then it was declared as a Closed Area under the Animals and Birds Protection Act 1919-1953. In 1961, the island was established as a wildlife reserve. Land associated with Cape Martin was added to the protected area in 1970 and 1976 respectively. The conservation park is classified as an IUCN Category IA protected area.