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West Wallabi Island is the largest of the islands in the Wallabi Group, being four kilometres long, and 1.6 kilometres wide. It is built up from a stable limestone platform that underlies the entire Wallabi Group, which was connected to the Australian mainland before rising sea levels cut it off between 8,000 and
10,000 years ago. This pavement limestone contains natural rockholes and caverns that trap fresh rainwater, interspersed with soil and vegetation. Some areas of the island are covered by dune systems. Fringing shallow reef surrounds the island except for the western side, making boat access difficult.
Maritime industries
The island’s natural resources were further exploited through guano mining operations in the nineteenth century. Remains of a timber jetty and some tramway components are still present on the island. In the 1950s, a rock lobster cannery was established with the aim of exporting to national and international
markets. While this venture failed, other canneries on the mainland succeeded. Commercial rock lobster fishers’ camps are present on the western side of the island. The uninhabited areas of the island are part of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park.
HMS Beagle
In 1840, when Commander John Clements Wickham and Lieutenant John Lort Stokes visited the Houtman Abrolhos Islands in HMS Beagle, a shore party landed on West Wallabi Island to search for water and game. They discovered tammar wallabies there in abundance, shooting many for food, naming Slaughter Point on the east side of the island.
The tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii), inhabits three islands in the Wallabi group.
Credit: WA Museum
Left: Aerial view of West Wallabi Island, showing the inland structure.
Credit: WA Museum
Right: West Wallabi Island at sunrise. Slaughter Point is top right.
Credit: I. Brodie
WEST WALLABI ISLAND
