Hidden Island Explained

Hidden
Map:Western Australia
Coordinates:-16.2431°N 123.4824°W
Area Ha:1901
Length Km:8
Width Km:5
Elevation M:135
Country:Australia
Population:0

Hidden Island, known to the traditional owners as Banggoon, is an uninhabited island located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

It is situated in the western group of the Buccaneer Archipelago,[1] of which it is the largest island. Found approximately 45km (28miles) east of Bardi, it covers an area of about 1901ha. It has an irregular shape with a length of about 5miles running from north to south and is 3.25miles at its widest point.[2]

The highest point of the island has an elevation of 135m (443feet), at the southern end. Another hill with a height of 97m (318feet) is located at the northern end. The island is covered in low scrub and stunted gum trees.[2]

Hidden Island is separated from nearby Chambers Island by Whirlpool Passage. The passage is dangerous during peak tidal movement with a flow rate of over 10kn and numerous 1m (03feet) deep whirlpools.[3] It is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel.

Priority flora found on the area include Solanum leopoldense Symon.[1] [4] [5]

The Aboriginal Australian traditional owners of the area are the Mayala (the Yawijibaya and Unggarranggu[6]) peoples of the Worrorran languages group, whose name for the island is Banggoon.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Status Performance Assessment: Biodiversity conservation of Western Australian Islands. 1 April 2010. 10 August 2014. Government of Western Australia. https://web.archive.org/web/20180314234512/https://www.conservation.wa.gov.au/media/8919/final%20version_14april2010.pdf. 14 March 2018. dead.
  2. Book: North, West and South Coasts of Australia. United States. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2004. ProStar Publications. 9781577856559.
  3. Web site: Kimberley Coast Beach Camping Cruises. 2010. 11 August 2014. One Tide Charters.
  4. Web site: Solanum leopoldense Symon . FloraBase: Western Australian Flora . 1 July 2003 . 10 November 2020.
  5. Web site: Species: Solanum leopoldense . Atlas of Living Australia . 10 November 2020.
  6. Book: Aboriginal Placenames: Naming and Re-naming the Australian Landscape. Luise Anna. Hercus. Harold James . Koch. Luise Hercus. Harold Koch. 337. 2009. 9781921666087. ANU Press.
  7. Web site: Biodiversity values on selected Kimberley Islands, Australia. T. Vigilante. 2013. 11 August 2014. Western Australian Museum. etal.