South Solitary Island

The 2010 fictional Australian movie ‘South Solitary’ was based on the harshness and tedium of life as lightkeepers on a remote island off the Australian coastline.

The movie, which was written and directed by well-known director Shirley Barrett and produced by Marian Macgowan of Macgowan Films and starring amongst others, Miranda Otto, was not actually filmed on South Solitary Island. The history and incredible hardships endured by light keepers there mirror the film’s storyline.

While South Solitary, the movie was set in 1927, the history of South Solitary Island Lighthouse dates further back into early colonial history. The lighthouse came into service just over100 years after the First Fleet had arrived in Botany Bay. But first, where is South Solitary Island.

The island is situated on the New South Wales coast, some nine nautical miles offshore from Coffs Harbour. The island is four nautical miles from the Signal Station between the Bellinger and Clarence Rivers. It is a precipitous rocky isle rising at the south end to a height of 136 feet above high watermark. It is a tiny island of just 13 acres (5.2 hectares) in area and is one of a group of nine barren rocky islands situated off the New South Wales north coast.

The island itself is shaped like a crouching lion, high at one end and tapering downwards at the opposite end. South Solitary Island is, in fact, four separate islands: the Lighthouse or Main Island, Birdie Island, Archie Rock and an unnamed islet to the north-east. Archie Rock has the most dramatic geographical structure of all the Solitary Islands, climaxing in a fine natural arch on the southern side.

Encircled by a rocky, precipitous coastline, the island is entirely without beaches or natural landing points and is surrounded by deep water and a rocky bottom which made anchoring for those early supply ships extremely difficult. The rocky landscape provides a thin covering of soil to support little vegetation beyond harsh scrubby grass and herbage, some of which is left over from the cultivated landscape that once surrounded the light keeper’s cottages.

The environment on the upper reaches of South Solitary Island supports fire sensitive, wind and salt-tolerant plant species. Any trees that had been cultivated have died and the island remains treeless today.

The vegetation has been heavily impacted over the past 100 years by the introduction of goats, dogs and rabbits to support the lighthouse staff, although these have now all been removed. The steeply sloping cliffs are subjected to heavy salt spray and wave action, resulting in two distinctive landscape zones, the cliffs or steep slopes and the gentle upper slopes. It is an excessive and harsh environment.

The South Solitary Islands have long been recognised as important breeding sites for seabirds, particularly the Wedge-tailed Shearwater or Muttonbird. South Solitary itself supports a considerable nesting seabird population, although the vast numbers of Crested Terns and Silver Gulls appear to currently outnumber the Shearwaters.

Geography

South Solitary Island is a precipitous rocky isle rising at the south end to a height of 136 feet above high watermark. A tiny island, it spans just 13 acres (5.2 hectares) in area, positioned nine nautical miles offshore from Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales coast, and four nautical miles from the Signal Station between the Bellinger and Clarence Rivers​.

While the island is often referred to as a singular entity, it is, in fact, a group of four separate islands: the Lighthouse or Main Island, Birdie Island, Archie Rock, and an unnamed islet to the north-east. Each of these islands contributes to the unique geography of South Solitary Island. Among them, Archie Rock stands out with the most dramatic geographical structure, boasting a fine natural arch on the southern side​​.

Wildlife

South Solitary Island is more than just a rocky landscape; it is a haven for a variety of seabirds. The island has long been recognised as an important breeding site, particularly for the Wedge-tailed Shearwater or Muttonbird. Moreover, South Solitary Island supports a considerable nesting seabird population. Currently, the vast numbers of Crested Terns and Silver Gulls appear to outnumber the Shearwaters. The presence of such a diverse bird population underlines the ecological significance of this island, which despite its harsh environment, thrives with avian life​.

Vegetation and Environmental Conditions

The environmental conditions on South Solitary Island are harsh yet distinctive. Encircled by a rocky, precipitous coastline, the island lacks natural landing points and is surrounded by deep water and a rocky bottom. Despite these challenging conditions, a thin covering of soil supports little vegetation beyond harsh scrubby grass and herbage, some of which is left over from the cultivated landscape that once surrounded the light keeper’s cottages.

The upper reaches of the island support fire-sensitive, wind and salt-tolerant plant species, showcasing the resilience of nature. However, it’s worth noting that the vegetation has been heavily impacted over the past century by the introduction of goats, dogs, and rabbits to support the lighthouse staff. These animals have since been removed, but their impact on the local flora is still evident.

Historical Context

South Solitary Island is steeped in history, much of which is tied to its lighthouse and the keepers who maintained it. The lighthouse, which dates back to early colonial history, came into service just over 100 years after the First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay. The harshness and tedium of life as lightkeepers on this remote island have been depicted in the 2010 fictional Australian movie ‘South Solitary’. While the film was not shot on the island, the storyline mirrors the incredible hardships endured by the light keepers on South Solitary Island.

It’s important to note that in 1975, the island was abandoned when the lighthouse was automated, marking the end of an era. All residents left the island at that time, leaving it in the state of solitude that persists to this day​.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you stay on South Solitary Island?

No, visitors are not permitted to stay on South Solitary Island. The island was abandoned in 1975 when the lighthouse was automated, and all residents left the island at that time. Access to the island is restricted, and visitation is only possible by helicopter when tours are run by Precision Helicopters and National Parks and Wildlife​.

How do you get to South Solitary Island?

South Solitary Island is located approximately 18km offshore from Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The only way to visit the island is via helicopter tours that are run by Precision Helicopters and National Parks and Wildlife. These tours depart from the Precision Helicopter base, Hangar 77, which is located near the Coffs Harbour airport​

How long is the Solitary Islands coastal walk?

The Solitary Islands Coastal Walk is a 35.9-mile (approximately 57.7 km) point-to-point trail near Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. It is generally considered a moderately challenging route, taking an average of 12 hours and 24 minutes to complete​

Story Peter Scott: Photography Precision Helicopters

Photography: https://southsolitaryisland.com.au