Originally named Mount Elliott Island, Lion Island stands as a sentinel at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. It is easy to see how Lion Island got its descriptive name. It resembles a Sphinx or a crouching lion.
Lion Island’s story begins long before its current form. Three hundred million years ago sandstone from Antarctica formed this island. Two hundred million years later, it rose from the Pittwater estuary.
Governor Arthur Phillip first named it Mount Elliott Island in 1789. He named it after his friend General Elliott. General Elliott won Gibraltar for England. Cartographers continued using this name until the 1920s.
In 1956, Lion Island became a Fauna Reserve. Then in 1977, it was reclassified as the Lion Island Nature Reserve. The NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service administers it. This reserve covers the entire island. That is about 8 hectares.
Lion Island earned a place on the Australian National Heritage List in December 2006. This was due to its significant biodiversity. Shearwaters breed here. The island remains free of feral cats and foxes. Sadly, Lion Island faces weed infestation. Bitou Bush and Lantana pose problems.
Lion Island is also home to the largest population of Australian little penguins in the Sydney area. In 2007, there were about 300 breeding pairs. They seemed stable back then. More recent studies show a decline since the 1990s. The cause is still unknown. Water rats also live here. They sometimes impact the penguin population.
Researchers in 2012 noted that penguins on Lion Island took longer feeding trips. They took longer than those on Bowen Island in Jervis Bay Territory. In 2021, volunteers cleared storm debris. This helped prepare for penguin breeding season.
Access to Lion Island is restricted. You need a permit from the National Parks and Wildlife Service Regional Manager. Permits are only for conservation, education, and research. There are no recreational facilities.
In August 2018, a fire engulfed Lion Island after a lightning strike. The impact on the island and its wildlife is still being assessed.
The eastern cap of Lion Island consists of Hawkesbury Sandstone. Its shores consist of older Narrabeen Group sandstones and shales.
Once, a documentary incorrectly claimed a Japanese midget submarine wreck lay near Lion Island. This submarine disappeared after the attack on Sydney Harbour in 1942. The wreck was later found near Bungan Head.
In 1804, the Sydney Gazette reported Aboriginal people saved the Speedwell’s crew. The ship sank near Lion Island. The Gazette praised their humane conduct.
Lion Island has several interesting features. Queen Victoria Head is a rock formation. It resembles Queen Victoria from a certain angle. Two small beaches lie on the western side.
So, Lion Island stands as a testament to history. It is a sanctuary for wildlife. It is a reminder of nature’s power. This island continues to captivate all who gaze upon its unique form.