Published on Australian Maritime Safety Authority (https://www.amsa.gov.au)
The Goose Islands, comprised of Little Goose Island and Goose Island, form part of the Badger Group Islands located within the Furneaux Group Islands. Situated within Bass Strait, the Goose Islands are found to the north of the Australian state of Tasmania. Goose Island Lighthouse is located on the southern tip of the main Goose Island, an unpopulated granite landmass approximately 109 Ha in size.
Lighthouse coordinates: 40º 18.7032’S, 147º 48.0810’E
Goose Island, a low-lying elongated island, is approximately 2.5km in length and, at its widest point, approximately 1km in width. Owing to its granite foundation, Goose Island possesses limited vegetation. A large sheep population was kept on the island during the period the lighthouse was manned, which may have contributed to the limited vegetation growth.
Apart from the lighthouse tower, oil storeroom and helipad, the Island bears no other structure – with exception to some structural remains of the demolished lightkeepers’ cottages, tramway and small lighthouse graveyard.
Goose Island contains a select abundance of fauna and flora owing to its isolated position in Bass Strait. Coastal birds colonies, particularly little penguin and short-tailed shearwater, have been recorded on the island.5
Within the larger setting of the Furneaux Group Islands, white-bellied sea-eagles, terns, and hooded plover ‘hot spots’ have been identified.6 The Furneaux Group Islands have also been identified as containing a small number of rare faunal species:
At the time this plan was written, a Biosecurity Plan for the Furneaux Group Islands was being developed. Their findings will be included in an updated version of this plan.
AMSA leases the Goose Island Lighthouse from the Minister administering the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970 (TAS), and this lease is managed by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service (TPWS).
The AMSA lease consists of one parcel of land:
The current lease commenced on 1 May 1998 and includes the option to renew for an additional 25 years.
Goose Island can be accessed by helicopter and boat – boat landing is enabled on the sandy beaches of its north eastern coastline. Visitors are required to walk the distance to the lighthouse (minimal path visibility). Access inside the lighthouse is restricted to authorised personnel only.
The table below details the various heritage listings of the Goose Island Lightstation.
Register | ID |
Commonwealth Heritage List | 1055647 |
Register for the National Estate | 1028698 |
Tasmanian Heritage Register | 106849 |
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9 Tasmanian heritage register, Goose Island Historic Precinct, Heritage Tasmania