South West Island (Northern Territory)

South West Island is an island in the Sir Edward Pellew Group in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory, Australia. Its area is 81.27 square kilometres (31.38 sq mi). All of its population, numbering 10, lives in South West Island (also called Wathanka or Wathunga), a family outstation on the north coast.[1]

The Sir Edward Pellew Group are the traditional lands of the Yanyuwa people, most of whom now live in Borroloola.[2]

It is home to the canefield rat, which are few in number and considered a threatened species in this area, although plentiful in north-eastern Australia.[3]

15°43′26″S 136°39′54″E / 15.724°S 136.665°E / -15.724; 136.665

References

  1. ^ "262: South West Island". BushTel. Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. ^ Kuipers, Ludo (6 October 1987). "South West Island - Gulf of Carpentaria - Northern Territory - Australia". OzOutback. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  3. ^ Woinarski, John; Ward, Simon (December 2012). "Canefield Rat" (PDF). Threatened Species. Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 20 August 2020.


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