View source for Neptune Islands

{{Short description|Two groups of islands in South Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

{{Infobox islands
|name = Neptune Islands
|map = South Australia
|image = File:Dive sites of the Neptune Islands.png
|image_caption = Dive sites of the Neptune Islands
|location         = [[Great Australian Bight]]
|country          = Australia
|coordinates = {{coord|-35.23893|136.0697|type:isle_region:AU-SA|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
}}
The '''Neptune Islands''' consist of two groups of islands located close to the entrance to [[Spencer Gulf]] in [[South Australia]]. They are well known as a venue for great white [[shark tourism]].

==Description==
The Neptune Islands consists of two groups of islands, the North Neptune Islands and the South Neptune Islands.  These both sit on the southern aspect of the Australasian continental shelf separated by a distance of {{convert|9|km|mi|abbr=on}}.
The North Neptune Islands which are {{convert|27.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} south south-east from the mainland at [[Cape Catastrophe]], consist of a large island of {{convert|49|m|ft|abbr=on}} height and a small islet of {{convert|29|m|ft|abbr=on}} height located {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}} from the main island's north-east point with a combined area of {{convert|2.43|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.
The South Neptune Islands which are {{convert|38.9|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-south-east from the mainland at Cape Catastrophe are more evenly portioned in height with the northern island being {{convert|35|m|ft|abbr=on}} high and the southern island (also known as Lighthouse Island) rising to {{convert|37|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The Southern group has an area of {{convert|2.02|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.
A third feature associated with the overall island group is an outcrop of rocks known as Low Rocks located about {{convert|6.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-north-east of the northern group of islands.<ref name= pages223-226>{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=AC |title=South Australia's offshore islands |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/5a7dbb25-70b9-4ceb-bbfd-a25800961994/offshore-islands-gen.pdf |publisher=Australian Heritage Commission |access-date=13 December 2013 |author2=Canty, P |author3=Mooney, T |author4=Rudduck, P |pages=223–22 |year=1996}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|publisher=Hydrographic Department, Ministry of Defence (reproduced by the Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Service)|title=Gulf of St Vincent and approaches (chart no. 1762)|date=1983}}</ref>

==Formation, geology and oceanography==
The Neptune Islands were formed between 10,800 and 12,000 years ago when sea levels rose at the start of the [[Holocene]].<ref name= page11>{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=AC |title=South Australia's offshore islands |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/5a7dbb25-70b9-4ceb-bbfd-a25800961994/offshore-islands-gen.pdf |publisher=Australian Heritage Commission |access-date=13 December 2013 |author2=Canty, P |author3=Mooney, T |author4=Rudduck, P |pages=11 |year=1996}}</ref>

The islands are remnant [[Igneous rock|igneous]] [[inselberg]]s which have survived the [[Erosion|erosive process]] associated with [[sea level]] rise. The remnant [[Rock (geology)|rock]] is described as being "a [[porphyritic]] [[granite]] [[gneiss]] and pink granite intruded with [[dolerite]] [[Dike (geology)|dykes]]". Remnants of the once-overlying [[calcarenite]] layers are also present on the upper platforms of the island. The soil is mainly derived from the weathering of the granite with a minor contribution from the weathering of calcarenite strata.<ref name="pages223-226"/>

The seabed falls steeply away from the coast of both island groups. Water depths of {{convert|80|m|ft|abbr=on}} are reached within a distance of {{convert|1.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the Northern group and within 1.5&nbsp;km to {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the Southern group.<ref name=Baker98-104>{{cite book|last=Baker|first=J.L|title=Towards a System of Ecologically Representative Marine Protected Areas in South Australian Marine Bioregions - Technical Report. Part 3|year=2004|publisher=Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia.|pages=98–104|url=http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/ab376805-cc82-4e69-8ed5-9e2500c89d63/part_4.pdf}}</ref>

==Flora and fauna==

===Plants===
While the low profile of the islands do limit what can grow due to wind exposure and salt spray, surveys have shown that the Northern island group (excluding the "small satellite islet") has 35 plant species while the Southern group has 28 species on its north island while Lighthouse Island has 13 species. The latter is attributed to combination of the disturbance caused by activity associated with the formerly staffed lighthouse, [[airstrip]], an introduced [[goat]] population that was eradicated in 1968, and burrows made by the large numbers of [[short-tailed shearwater]]s. Plant species include [[Apium prostratum|sea celery]], [[Bulbine semibarbata|leek lily]], [[Dianella (plant)|flax lily]], [[Poa poiformis|coast tussock grass]], [[Sporobolus virginicus|salt couch]], [[billy button]] daisies, variable groundsel and an introduced Northern Hemisphere grass, [[Vulpia myuros|rat's-tail fescue]].<ref name="pages223-226"/>

===Terrestrial animals===
The only mammals present are [[bush rat]]s which are found on North Neptune Island.

Birds of prey include [[white-bellied sea-eagle]]s, [[peregrine falcon]] and [[swamp harrier]] with [[Nankeen kestrel|Australian kestrels]] mainly concentrated on the northern island in the South group. Breeding colonies of [[Cape Barren goose|Cape Barren geese]] are present on the Northern group while short-tailed shearwaters, [[silver gull]] and [[Crested tern|greater crested tern]] are present on the South group island.

Other landbirds include [[white-fronted chat]]s, [[Masked lapwing|masked plover]]s, [[rock parrot]]s, [[welcome swallow]]s, [[silvereye]]s and [[stubble quail]]s. [[Old World sparrow|Sparrow]]s, an introduced species, have established themselves on Lighthouse island.

Reptiles identified during surveys include [[Christinus marmoratus|marbled geckos]] on both island groups while the following are limited to the main island in the Northern group - [[four-toed earless skink]], [[Egernia|bull skinks]] and [[Pseudonaja nuchalis|western brown snakes]]. The latter are believed to prey on bush rat and bull shinks.<ref name="pages223-226"/>

===Marine animals===
[[Arctocephalus forsteri|New Zealand fur-seals]] and [[Australian sea lion]]s are common on all islands, using the island group for breeding.

Australian sea lions were already present in 1876<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 December 1876 |title=EGGING EXPEDITION. |pages=11 |newspaper=Adelaide Observer |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159492422 |access-date=22 June 2020}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=29 November 1876 |title=SPORTING EXCURSION TO THE NEPTUNE ISLANDS. |pages=6 |work=South Australian Advertiser |place=Adelaide |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article33742578 |access-date=22 June 2020}}</ref> Australian sea lions were shot at the Neptune Islands for their hides and for "sport" during the 19th century.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=4 April 1877 |title=Latest News. |pages=2 |newspaper=Evening Journal |location=Adelaide |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197699344 |access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> Large-scale hunting ceased in the 1920s,<ref name="environment.gov.au">{{Cite web |title=''Neophoca cinerea'' — Australian Sea-lion, Australian Sea Lion |url= http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=22 |work=Species Profile and Threats Database}}</ref> No baseline population data exists, but the species population and range have both decreased.

The introduction of the South Australian ''[[National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972]]'' prohibited the killing of Australian sea lions statewide.
The Australian sea lion was listed as vulnerable under the [[Australia|Commonwealth]] ''[[Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999]]'' in 2005 and is also listed as a threatened species in each state in its range (South Australia and Western Australia).

Nevertheless the presence of these pinniped colonies supports a migratory population of great white sharks.

====Little penguin colony====
[[Little penguin]]s were present on the Neptune Islands in 1840,<ref name="Frances">{{cite web |title=Latest from Port Lincoln |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71620282 |publisher=Southern Australian |access-date=12 February 2014 |pages=3 |date=3 November 1840}}</ref> 1876,<ref name=":0">Wiebken, Annelise [http://www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au/Portals/2/Coast/Reports/FINAL%20for%20web%20-%20penguin%20report%2013-9-11.pdf "Conservation management priorities for little penguin populations in Gulf St Vincent"] {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222182949/http://www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au/Portals/2/Coast/Reports/FINAL%20for%20web%20-%20penguin%20report%2013-9-11.pdf|date=22 February 2014}} ''SARDI'', South Australia (2011-06). Retrieved 2014-02-12.</ref><ref>[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43007247 "Egging Expedition"] ''South Australian Register'', South Australia (29 November 1876). Retrieved 15 February 2014.</ref><ref name=":3"/> 1877,<ref name=":5"/> 1899,<ref name=":1">{{cite news |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54578020 |title=Lighthouses - Light for the South Neptune Island |newspaper=South Australian Register |location=South Australia |date=28 July 1899 |access-date=15 February 2014}}</ref> 1901,<ref name=":2">{{cite news |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56506236 |title=SOUTH NEPTUNE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE. A VISIT IN THE GOVERNOR MUSGRAVE. |newspaper=The Register |place=South Australia |date=23 October 1901 |accessdate=15 February 2014}}</ref> 1907,<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=18 May 1907 |title=GULF BIRDS. |pages=7 |newspaper=Evening Journal |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208614591 |access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> 1925<ref>{{cite news |last=Muirhead |first=CM |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60646571 |title=A Yachting Cruise. Old-time memories. |newspaper=The Register |place=South Australia |date=23 May 1925 |access-date=2 March 2014}}</ref> and 1934.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47541948 |title=MOST ISOLATED LIGHTHOUSE - Once had reputation of being haunted - Neptune's rugged coast |newspaper=The Advertiser |place=South Australia |date=8 March 1934 |access-date=12 February 2014}}</ref>

In April 1877, the south island reportedly "swarmed with mutton-birds and penguin". A Mr Boucaut collected a pair of live penguins on this occasion to provide to the Botanical Garden.<ref name=":5"/>

In 1899, it was reported that South Neptune Island "abounded with penguin, and the sandy beach was a favourite resort of the hair seal."<ref name=":1"/> In 1901, a visiting party on the ''Governor Musgrave'' described the island thus: "Penguins are fairly numerous; but excepting an occasional seal or two the mutton birds monopolize the island."<ref name=":2"/> Another account of the visit said of the [[Short-tailed shearwater|muttonbirds]]: "At night these birds create an indescribable din, in company with the penguins, of which also there is a large number about the various rocks of its coastline."<ref>[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4903888 "Neptune Island Lighthouse - Ready for service - A valuable guiding light."] ''The Advertiser'', South Australia (26 October 1901). Retrieved 2014-02-15.</ref> In 1907, visitors landed in May and found a few penguins in burrows along with evidence of recent occupation.<ref name=":4"/>

Little penguin breeding sites were noted on North Neptune Island in a 1996 survey of South Australia's offshore islands.<ref name=":03">{{Cite book |last1=Robinson |first1=Tony |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/5a7dbb25-70b9-4ceb-bbfd-a25800961994/offshore-islands-gen.pdf |title=South Australia's Offshore Islands |last2=Canty |first2=Peter |last3=Mooney |first3=Trish |last4=Rudduck |first4=Penny |publisher=Resource Management Branch, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia |year=1996 |isbn=0-644-35011-3 |place=South Australia}}</ref>

None were found in 2006 and the colony is now believed to be extinct.<ref name=":0"/>

==History==
The islands were first sighted by Europeans on Sunday 21 February 1802 from [[HMS Investigator (1798)|HMS ''Investigator'']] whilst under the command of [[Matthew Flinders]]. The islands were named Neptune's Isles, "for they seemed to be inaccessible to men".<ref>
{{cite book |last= Flinders |first= Matthew |author-link= Matthew Flinders |title= A Voyage to Terra Australis : undertaken for the purpose of completing the discovery of that vast country, and prosecuted in the years 1801, 1802, and 1803 in His Majesty's ship the ''Investigator'', and subsequently in the armed vessel ''Porpoise'' and ''Cumberland'' Schooner; with an account of the shipwreck of the ''Porpoise'', arrival of the ''Cumberland'' at Mauritius, and imprisonment of the commander during six years and a half in that island. |url= http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?pageno=229&fk_files=1486723 |access-date= 9 March 2013 |edition= Facsimile |year= 1966 |orig-year= 1814 |publisher= Libraries Board of South Australia |location= Adelaide |page= 229}}</ref>
The islands were subsequently visited by [[John Lort Stokes]] in 1840 and later in 1873-74 by Captain F. Howard, RN as part of an ongoing [[Government of South Australia|South Australian Government]] program to map the colony’s waters, identify shipping hazards and assess the suitability of the coastline for settlement.<ref name= page126>{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=AC |title=South Australia's offshore islands |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/5a7dbb25-70b9-4ceb-bbfd-a25800961994/offshore-islands-gen.pdf |publisher=Australian Heritage Commission |access-date=13 December 2013 |author2=Canty, P |author3=Mooney, T |author4=Rudduck, P |pages=126 |year=1996}}</ref>

In the 19th century, the islands were visited by "sporting" parties who shot and killed Australian sea-lions and other wildlife.<ref name=":5"/>

During [[World War II]], the Neptune Islands became a strategic military site due to its lighthouse’s location at the approaches to both Spencer Gulf and [[Investigator Strait]]. This is evident in the act of the placement of a [[Naval mine|mine field]] approximately {{convert|25|mi|km|abbr=on}} west-south west of the Neptune Islands by the German auxiliary cruiser [[German auxiliary cruiser Pinguin|''Pinguin'']] during November 1940.<ref>{{cite book |last=Waters |first=Sidney D |title=German Raiders in the Pacific |year=1949 |publisher=War History Branch, Department of Internal Affairs |place=Wellington, NZ |page=25 |url= http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-1Epi-c5-WH2-1Epi-j.html |access-date=1 November 2013}}</ref>
A naval depot including huts and observation towers was established on South Neptune Island along with a [[Artillery|gun]] which was regularly fired.<ref name="page126"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Naval Huts For Sale: Neptune Depot Now Surplus |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96765043 |access-date=13 December 2013 |newspaper=Port Lincoln Times |date=4 July 1946 |pages=5}}</ref>

The [[South Neptune Island Lighthouse|South Neptune Island Lighthouse Complex]] is listed on the [[South Australian Heritage Register]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=22 | title=South Neptune Island Lighthouse Complex (including Keepers' Cottages, Store, Outbuildings, the Island Reserve, Stone Fences, Stone Rainwater Tanks, Grave Sites & Foundations of the removed Lighthouse), Neptune Islands Conservation Park | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=12 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103164254/http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=22 | archive-date=3 November 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the 1970s, the Neptune Islands were a filming location where live-action shark sequences of the ground-breaking blockbuster ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'' were filmed.

In 2012, the [[Neptune Islands Conservation Park]] was designated as a marine park. To this day, it endures a popular location for cage diving with [[great white shark]]s.

==Navigation aids==
[[File:South Neptune Island Lighthouse(GN00145).jpg|thumb|South Neptune Island Lighthouse 1901-1985]]
{{further|South Neptune Island Lighthouse}}
[[Navigation aid]]s have been located on islands within the Neptune Islands Group since the early 20th century.

The need for a lighthouse in the Neptune Islands was considered for many years during the 19th century due to the islands' relatively low elevation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marine Board |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40777115 |publisher=South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA) |access-date=13 March 2013 |pages=7 |date=4 May 1877}}</ref> In 1901, the light tower from the [[Port Adelaide Lighthouse|Port Adelaide Entrance light]] was relocated to South Neptune Island. That was eventually replaced by a small brick tower in 1985, and the old tower was transported to [[Port Adelaide]] on {{MV|Cape Don}} to become part of the collection of the [[South Australian Maritime Museum]], which opened in 1986.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shipwrecks and sea rescue: Lighthouses - increasing the coverage |url=https://www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=706#e1603 |website=Woden walls and iron sides: South Australia's maritime history | date=4 May 2007 |publisher=State Library South Australia |access-date=2019-12-30}}</ref> The new lighthouse was converted to automatic operation in 1990 resulting in the departure of the lighthouse keepers and their families.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Harry |first=Bruce |title=Conservation of the former Neptune Islands Lighthouse at Port Adelaide |journal=ICCM Bulletin |year=1987 |volume=13 |issue=1 & 2 |page=83 |url= http://www.aiccm.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=662:conservation-of-the-former-neptune-island-lighthouse-at-port-adelaide&catid=58:1987-iccm-bulletin-volume-13-no-1-a-2&Itemid=44 |access-date=21 March 2013 |publisher=Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material}}</ref>

Located on the largest island in the southern group, a light mounted on a {{convert|12|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} tower commenced operation in 1983. It was removed in 2002-2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Listed by State (i.e. lighthouses & navigation aids) |url= http://vk2ce.com/lighthouses/state1.htm |publisher=Australian Lighthouses |access-date=16 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140126132056/http://vk2ce.com/lighthouses/state1.htm|archive-date=26 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Thirteenth Annual Report 2002 - 2003 |url= http://www.amsa.gov.au/forms-and-publications/about-amsa/publications/Annual-Reports/2002_2003/Anrep02-03.pdf |publisher=Australian Maritime Safety Authority |access-date=16 March 2014 |pages=33 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140212144943/https://www.amsa.gov.au/forms-and-publications/about-amsa/publications/Annual-Reports/2002_2003/Anrep02-03.pdf |archive-date=12 February 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Climate==
Neptune Island has a [[Mediterranean Climate]] (''[[Köppen climate classification|Csb]]'') with mild summers and cool winters. The island gets only 45.6 clear days annually. Coastal weather observations have been obtained by the [[Government of Australia|Australian]] [[Bureau of Meteorology]] at the South Neptune Islands since 1957. Initially, observations were made by the lighthouse keepers residing on the Island at three hourly intervals.<ref name= pages131-132>{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=AC |title=South Australia's offshore islands |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/5a7dbb25-70b9-4ceb-bbfd-a25800961994/offshore-islands-gen.pdf |publisher=Australian Heritage Commission|access-date=13 December 2013 |author2=Canty, P |author3=Mooney, T |author4=Rudduck, P |pages=131–132 |year=1996}}</ref> As of 2014, observations are made via an [[automatic weather station]] (AWS).<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate Data Sites (Site information for Neptune Island (sic)) |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_018115_SiteMap.shtml |publisher=Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology |access-date=23 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=South Australian Coastal Weather Station Details |url= http://www.bom.gov.au/catalogue/observations/sa-coastal-stations.shtml |publisher=Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology |access-date=23 March 2014}}</ref>

<div style="width:75%;">
{{Weather box
|location = Neptune Island
|collapsed    = yes
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 36.9
|Feb record high C = 36.8
|Mar record high C = 34.6
|Apr record high C = 29.4
|May record high C = 24.0
|Jun record high C = 21.7
|Jul record high C = 22.5
|Aug record high C = 25.9
|Sep record high C = 27.6
|Oct record high C = 28.8
|Nov record high C = 34.4
|Dec record high C = 35.1
|year record high C = 36.9
|Jan high C = 22.1
|Feb high C = 22.3
|Mar high C = 21.1
|Apr high C = 19.5
|May high C = 17.8
|Jun high C = 16.0
|Jul high C = 15.3
|Aug high C = 15.4
|Sep high C = 16.2
|Oct high C = 17.5
|Nov high C = 19.2
|Dec high C = 20.5
|year high C = 18.6
|Jan low C = 16.2
|Feb low C = 16.6
|Mar low C = 16.0
|Apr low C = 15.0
|May low C = 13.7
|Jun low C = 12.3
|Jul low C = 11.3
|Aug low C = 11.1
|Sep low C = 11.6
|Oct low C = 12.3
|Nov low C = 13.6
|Dec low C = 14.9
|year low C = 13.7
|Jan record low C = 9.4
|Feb record low C = 8.9
|Mar record low C = 9.0
|Apr record low C = 6.1
|May record low C = 6.7
|Jun record low C = 6.4
|Jul record low C = 5.0
|Aug record low C = 4.4
|Sep record low C = 4.5
|Oct record low C = 6.1
|Nov record low C = 7.2
|Dec record low C = 8.2
|year record low C = 4.4
|Jan rain mm = 12.6
|Feb rain mm = 14.0
|Mar rain mm = 19.6
|Apr rain mm = 31.2
|May rain mm = 54.3
|Jun rain mm = 67.9
|Jul rain mm = 76.2
|Aug rain mm = 62.3
|Sep rain mm = 45.8
|Oct rain mm = 26.7
|Nov rain mm = 18.3
|Dec rain mm = 17.1
|Jan rain days = 4.5
|Feb rain days = 4.2
|Mar rain days = 6.8
|Apr rain days = 10.0
|May rain days = 15.2
|Jun rain days = 16.9
|Jul rain days = 18.1
|Aug rain days = 17.8
|Sep rain days = 13.9
|Oct rain days = 9.9
|Nov rain days = 7.2
|Dec rain days = 6.8
|unit rain days = 
|source 1 = [[Bureau of Meteorology (Australia)|Bureau of Meteorology]]<ref name=BoM>{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref= cw_018115 |site_name= Neptune Island |access-date=26 November 2015|date= November 2015}}</ref>
|date= November 2015}}
</div>

==Economic activity==

===Guano===
The Neptune Islands were one of the island sites from which [[guano]] was mined under licence from the South Australian Government prior to 1919.<ref name= page134>{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=AC |title=South Australia's offshore islands |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/5a7dbb25-70b9-4ceb-bbfd-a25800961994/offshore-islands-gen.pdf |publisher=Australian Heritage Commission |access-date=13 December 2013 |author2=Canty, P |author3=Mooney, T |author4=Rudduck, P |pages=134 |year=1996}}</ref>

===Fishing===
The waters around the Neptune Islands outside of the protected area (see below) are commercially fished for [[abalone]], marine scalefish, [[rock lobster]] and [[sardine]]. [[Bycatch]] includes commercially attractive species such as [[Tasmanian giant crab|giant crab]] and [[octopus]].<ref name=Baker71-74>{{cite book |last=Baker |first=JL |title=Towards a System of Ecologically Representative Marine Protected Areas in South Australian Marine Bioregions - Technical Report |volume=Part 3 |year=2004 |publisher=Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia |pages=71–74 |url=http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/ab376805-cc82-4e69-8ed5-9e2500c89d63/part_4.pdf}}</ref><ref name=DEWNRMP>{{cite web |title=NEPTUNE ISLANDS GROUP (Ron and Valerie Taylor) MARINE PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2012 |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/6730e968-7800-4865-886f-a117009f285e/mp-gen-7neptuneislands-managementplan.pdf |publisher=Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources |access-date=13 December 2013 |pages=6}}</ref>

===Tourism and other spin-offs===
Despite their remoteness, the Neptune Islands are regarded as one of South Australia's best scuba diving sites, specifically for the viewing of Great white sharks.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hutchison|first=Stuart|date=2001-12-01|title=Travellin' South|journal=Australasia Scuba Diver|pages=18–30}}</ref> The Neptune Islands, particularly the North Neptune Islands, has been a shark cage diving destination since the late 1970s. Since 2002, it is the only site within Australia where this activity is legally permitted.<ref>{{cite book |last=Huveneers |first=C |title=Effects of the Shark Shield™ electric deterrent on the behaviour of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias). Final Report to SafeWork South Australia. |year=2012 |publisher=South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences) |place=Adelaide |page=15 |url= http://www.sardi.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/173876/Risk_Assessment_of_the_Shark_Shield_Report_-_FINAL_19_06_2012.pdf |author2=Rogers, P.J. |author3=Semmens, J. |author4=Beckmann, C. |author5=Kock, A.A. |author6=Page, B. |author7=Goldsworthy, S.D}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Shark cage diving|url=http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/marineparks/enjoy/shark-cage-diving|publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources|access-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> Cage diving charters have attracted professional photographers and others whose efforts are considered by individuals such as [[Rodney Fox]] as having "significantly contributed to worldwide knowledge of shark physiology and behavior, because film, video, television and print media associated with shark viewing and research activities at the Neptune Islands, have reached a very large global audience".<ref name="Baker71-74"/> Other tourist activities include charter fishing, marine mammal watching and [[cruise ship]] visits.<ref name="DEWNRMP"/>

==Protected areas==

===Neptune Islands Conservation Park===
{{further|Neptune Islands Conservation Park}}
The Neptune Islands Conservation Park includes all the islands in the Group and adjoining waters within {{convert|2|nmi|km mi|abbr=off}} of low water mark with the exception of Lighthouse Island in the South Neptune Islands and Low Rocks. The island group with exception to those areas under the control of the Australian government first obtained protected area status as a fauna conservation reserve declared under the ''Crown Lands Act 1929-1966'' on 16 March 1967 to mainly to conserve the New Zealand fur seal breeding colony on the southern island of the North Neptune Islands which is one of the largest in Australia. Other features that contributed to the declaration include the small breeding population of Australian sea lions on the North Neptune Islands, Australian sea lion [[Hauling-out|haul out]] areas located on the South Neptune Islands, and the breeding/nesting populations of [[Cape Barren goose]], [[white-bellied sea eagle]], [[osprey]] and [[peregrine falcon]]. The fauna conservation reserve was reconstituted as the Neptune Islands Conservation Park under the ''[[National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972]]'' in 1972 with the extension over adjoining waters being added in 1997.<ref name="Baker71-74"/><ref name=FCR-1967>{{cite web|title=CROWN LANDS ACT, 1929-1966: FAUNA CONSERVATION RESERVES DEDICATED.|url=http://www8.austlii.edu.au/au/other/sa_gazette/1967/11.pdf |website=THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT GAZETTE |publisher=Government of South Australia|access-date=5 February 2018|pages=961–962|date=16 March 1967}}</ref><ref name=NPWact>{{cite journal |title= No. 56 of 1972 (National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972) |date= 27 April 1972 |pages= 660 & 703 |url= http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/num_act/npawa56o1972293/ |access-date= 20 January 2017 |publisher= Government of South Australia}}</ref><ref name="SAGG-1997">{{cite web|last1=Armitage |first1=Michael |title=NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE ACT 1972, SECTION 29 (3): NEPTUNE ISLANDS CONSERVATION PARK, SIR JOSEPH BANKS GROUP CONSERVATION PARK, THE PAGES CONSERVATION (sic) - ALTERATION OF BOUNDARIES |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/sa_gazette/1997/157/1867.pdf|website=The South Australian Government Gazette|publisher=Government of South Australian government|access-date=19 January 2019|page=1867|date=24 December 1997}}</ref>

===Neptune Islands Group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park===
The Neptune Islands Group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park consists of two separate areas - the waters within two nautical miles of the coastline of both the North Neptune Islands and the South Neptune Islands at [[High water mark|median high water]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Neptune Islands Group Ron and Valerie Taylor Marine Park Management plan summary |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/88433821-c9db-49f4-86c1-a11f01004c0e/mp-gen-mgmtplansumm-7-neptuneislands.pdf |publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources |access-date=12 March 2013}}</ref> The northern area is zoned as a habitat protection area with a smaller sanctuary area immediately adjoining the island group while the southern area is zoned for habitat protection. Both areas are also zoned as restricted areas in order to manage access to both the islands and the surrounding waters.<ref>{{cite web |title=Neptune Islands Group Ron and Valerie Taylor Marine Park Management Plan |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/6730e968-7800-4865-886f-a117009f285e/mp-gen-7neptuneislands-managementplan.pdf |publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources |access-date=31 May 2014|pages=12, 13 & 15}}</ref> The marine park came into existence on 29 November 2012 as part of a state wide network of [[marine protected area]]s. When announcing the launch of the marine park network, [[Jay Weatherill]], the South Australian Premier, announced the renaming of the Neptune Islands Group Marine Park to the Neptune Islands Group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park in recognition of the contributions of [[Ron Taylor (diver)|Ron Taylor]] and [[Valerie Taylor (diver)|Valerie Taylor]] to "the conservation of sharks, sea lions and other marine species".<ref>{{cite web |title=South Australian Marine Parks take effect today |url= http://www.premier.sa.gov.au/images/news_releases/12_11Nov/marineparks.pdf |publisher=South Australian Government |access-date=29 November 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150924081145/http://www.premier.sa.gov.au/images/news_releases/12_11Nov/marineparks.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Neptune Islands Group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/marineparks/find-a-park/eyre-peninsula/neptune-islands |publisher=SA Department of Environment, Water & Natural Resources |access-date=29 November 2012}}</ref>

===Administration===
Administratively, the Neptune Islands Group (Ron and Valerie Taylor) Marine Park entity "overlays" the entirety of the Neptune Islands Conservation Park. Activities within the dual entity is restricted to "scientific research, tourism operations, competitions and organised events, commercial film-making (including sound recording and photography), installation of vessel moorings" and any activity that can be argued on a merit basis. Access to both terrestrial and marine areas is controlled by a permit system administered by one government agency.<ref>{{cite web|title=NEPTUNE ISLANDS GROUP (Ron and Valerie Taylor) MARINE PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2012 |url= http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/6730e968-7800-4865-886f-a117009f285e/mp-gen-7neptuneislands-managementplan.pdf |publisher=Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources |access-date=13 December 2013 |pages=5 & 11}}</ref>

==Cultural heritage==
===Aboriginal heritage===
Little is known about Aboriginal heritage associated with the Neptune Islands. While it is likely that the islands can be seen from the Eyre Peninsula coastline and that the Islands may have more accessible to aboriginal people during the recent ice age than during the present day, [[native title]] claims lodged in 1996 and 1997 respectively for southern Eyre Peninsula by the Barngarla and the Nauo peoples did not include the Islands.<ref name="Baker71-74"/><ref>Department of Environment and Natural Resources (2010), Environmental, Economic and Social Values of the Neptune Islands Group Marine Park, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia, p. 5</ref>

===Lighthouse facility===
The keepers' cottages, store, outbuildings, stone fences, stone rainwater tanks, grave sites & footings of the now-removed first lighthouse collectively known as the South Neptune Island Lighthouse Complex are protected under the ''Heritage Places Act 1993'' (SA) and the ''Development Act 1993'' (SA).<ref>{{cite web |title=Heritage Places Database Details - South Neptune Island Lighthouse Complex |url= http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=22 |publisher=Department of Planning Transport and Infrastructure |access-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131103164254/http://apps.planning.sa.gov.au/HeritageSearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=22 |archive-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Shipwrecks===
[[File:The "S.S. Yandra" circa 1930.jpg|200px|thumb|SS ''Yandra'', about 1930]]
* ''[[Frances (1839)|Frances]]'', [[Cutter (boat)|cutter]], wrecked at South Neptune Island on 29 August 1840.<ref name=Frances/><ref>[[Peter Christopher (Australian author)|Christopher, P.]]; (1990), South Australian Shipwrecks: A Database (1802-1989), [[Society for Underwater Historical Research]], North Adelaide, SA, pp 64. ({{ISBN|0 9588006 1 8}})</ref>
* ''Venus'', cutter, wrecked at North Neptune Island on 14 June 1946.<ref>Christopher, P.; (1990), South Australian Shipwrecks: A Database (1802-1989), Society for Underwater Historical Research, North Adelaide, SA, pp 170. ({{ISBN|0 9588006 1 8}})</ref>
* ''[[Yandra]]'', motor vessel, ran aground in dense fog onto South Neptune Island on 25 January 1959.<ref>Christopher, P.; (1990), South Australian Shipwrecks: A Database (1802-1989), Society for Underwater Historical Research, North Adelaide, SA, pp 180 & 181. ({{ISBN|0-9588006-1-8}})</ref>
* ''Saint Michele'', [[Fishing vessel|fishing boat]], wrecked at South Neptune Island on 30 March 1965.<ref>Christopher, P.; (1990), South Australian Shipwrecks: A Database (1802-1989), Society for Underwater Historical Research, North Adelaide, SA, pp 141. ({{ISBN|0-9588006-1-8}})</ref>
* ''Gloridia V'', [[Crayfish|cray-fishing]] boat, wrecked at North Neptune Island on 12 March 1977.<ref>Christopher, P.; (1990), South Australian Shipwrecks: A Database (1802-1989), Society for Underwater Historical Research, North Adelaide, SA, pp 69. ({{ISBN|0-9588006-1-8}})</ref>
* ''Cinderella'', fishing boat, wrecked at Low Rocks on 24 May 1982.<ref>{{cite web |title=View Shipwreck - Cinderella |url= https://dmzapp17p.ris.environment.gov.au/shipwreck/public/wreck/wreck.do?key=5260 |publisher=Department of Environment |access-date=25 March 2014}}</ref>
* ''Gypsy Rose'', fishing boat, wrecked on South Neptune Island on 14 January 1988.<ref>{{cite web |title=View Shipwreck - Gypsy Rose |url= https://dmzapp17p.ris.environment.gov.au/shipwreck/public/wreck/wreck.do?key=5403 |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Environment |access-date=14 June 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{SS|Hertford}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [[Voy:Diving in South Australia/Shark cage diving at the Neptune Islands|Wikivoyage: Diving in South Australia/Shark cage diving at the Neptune Islands]]

North Neptune Island {{coord|35|23|00|S|136|06|00|E|name=North Neptune Island}}
South Neptune Island {{coord|35|33|00|S|136|12|00|E|name=South Neptune Island}}

{{Islands of South Australia |state=collapsed}}
{{Recreational dive sites|reereg}}

[[Category:Islands of South Australia]]
[[Category:Uninhabited islands of Australia]]
[[Category:Underwater diving sites in Australia]]
[[Category:Great Australian Bight]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in South Australia]]