Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
Troubridge Island lies 7 km east of Sultana Point in the south-west of Gulf St Vincent. It is a low sand island reaching about 5 m above sea level. It has a land area of approximately 3 ha at high tide but much larger areas of sand flats are exposed at low tide. All land on the island, except for an automated lighthouse and two associated cottages now used for tourist accommodation, is designated as a conservation park, and the IBA also includes the adjacent intertidal sand flats. The vegetation consists of low shrubland dominated by Nitre Bush. Grey Saltbush and introduced African Boxthorn, Tree Mallow, Sea Rocket, Marram Grass and Hairy Spinifex are also prominent. Most of the 31 plant species on the island are introduced.
The IBA supports breeding colonies of the Little Penguin (3000-6000 birds in 1966-1992), Caspian Tern (10-100 pairs in 1970-1990s), Crested Tern (2500 pairs in 1989; Copley 1996) and Pied Cormorant (180 pairs; Robinson et al. 1996). Additionally, two breeding pairs of the Pacific Gull frequented the island between 1966 and 1975 (Copley 1996). The IBA also provides foraging habitat for locally significant numbers of migratory shorebirds such as the Red-necked Stint (930 birds in 1981; Wilson 2000). The biome-restricted Rock Parrot has been recorded on the island (Atlas of Australian Birds database).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Maintain and enforce strict access regulations. Investigate potential impact of climate change, sea-level rise and increased storms.
Troubridge Island Conservation Park.
South Australian Government; managed by the Department for Environment and Heritage with lighthouse cottages leased to a commercial operator.
Site access / Land-owner requests
Access to Troubridge Island is only by permit or with an approved commercial tour operator.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Troubridge Island (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/troubridge-island-iba-australia on 23/12/2024.
