Rodondo Island
There is something about Rodondo Island that inspires feelings of mystery and awe. This solitary island rises 365 metres from Bass Strait, some 16 km's from the south end of Wilsons Prom. Yet sometimes it seems you could almost swim out to it
From somewhere above South Point.
It's sheer granite cliffs make landing on the island from the water a perilous task, though landings have been made. The first of these, in the Christmas holidays of 1946, was reported by Wild Life magazine in the April 1947 edition. As the waters are to deep to anchor in, and no craft could be moored at the island, the expedition had to land in a small craft which was then taken back to the waiting larger vessel which would return for them in eight days. Apart from stands of tall eucalypt, they discovered huge ti tree, up to three feet in diameter and with broad twisted branches. The particular species, Maleluca Pubescens, is not found on the Prom or on any othe Bass Strait islands. Even stranger, the Cape Leeuwin Wattle, which does not grow wild east of the Great Australian Bight, let alone anywhere near to Rodondo, is a feature of the islands flora. Many other species of plant on the island do not occur anywhere else nearby.
From Kersops peak.
There are no animals on the island, only lizards and scorpions! Birdlife is plentiful, but dominated by the Mutton bird, once hunted almost out of existence on other islands. They were described as being in their millions, and as being difficult to avoid stepping on. Other sea birds were the Little Penguin, Sooty Oystercatcher, and Cape Barren Geese.
From Enclave Point, Wattle Island in foreground.