| Lawrence Rocks | |
| Etymology: | Captain Effingham Lawrence |
| Image Alt: | Australasian gannet in flight |
| Map: | Australia Victoria Shire of Glenelg |
| Location: | Bass Strait |
| Coordinates: | -38.4083°N 141.6694°W |
| Area Ha: | 7 |
| Length M: | 800 |
| Width M: | 50 |
| Elevation M: | 90 |
| Country: | Australia |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | State |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Victoria |
The Lawrence Rocks are a group of two rocky islets, 6.8 ha and 1.5 ha in area, with an associated reef, 2.4 km south-east of Point Danger in western Victoria, Australia, and about 6 km south-east of the city of Portland.[1] Geologically, the group is formed from the remnants of an extinct volcano, with the islets composed of basalt and tuff.
The islets were sighted by Lieutenant James Grant on 5 December 1800 from the survey brig HMS Lady Nelson and named[2] for Captain Effingham Lawrence, one of the Elder Brethren of Trinity House.
The rocks are protected as a nature reserve and are the site of a breeding colony of Australasian gannets, the overspill from which led to the establishment of a sister colony at Point Danger.[3] The group has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA), because it supports over 10% of the world population of Australasian gannets, being used by over 6000 birds.[4] [5] Other birds recorded on the rocks, and likely to breed there, include little penguins, black-faced cormorants, crested terns, silver gulls, sooty oystercatchers and small numbers of Cape gannets. The rocks are also used as a haul-out site by Australian fur seals.[6] Seal hunting was conducted on the island in the 19th century.[7]
There are several named sites:[8]
. James Grant (navigator). The narrative of a voyage of discovery, performed in His Majesty's vessel the Lady Nelson, of sixty tons burthen: with sliding keels, in the years 1800, 1801, and 1802, to New South Wales. 25 January 2012. 1803. 71 - 72. Printed by C. Roworth for T. Egerton. 978-0-7243-0036-5.