Swan Bay
Swan Bay | ||
---|---|---|
Primary inflows Yarram Creek, Frederick Mason Creek | | |
Primary outflows | Port Phillip | |
Basin countries | Australia | |
Surface area | 30 km2 (12 sq mi) | |
Average depth | 2 m (6 ft 7 in) | |
Max. depth | 5 m (16 ft) | |
Islands | Duck, Mangrove, Rabbit, Sand, Stingaree, Swan, Tip | |
Settlements | Queenscliff, St Leonards |
The Swan Bay is a shallow, 30-square-kilometre (12 sq mi) marine
Matthew Flinders named the bay "Swan Ponds" after its black swans, up to 2,700 of which can be seen in summer and early autumn.
Ecology
Swan Bay contains a variety of ecosystems that make it environmentally important for
Nearly 200 species of birds have been recorded in Swan bay. Birds of conservation significance for which the bay and its shore are internationally important include the
. Some of these birds travel from as far away as Arctic Siberia and Alaska where they breed, to feed on the intertidal mudflats of Swan Bay.Geography
Swan Bay lies at the eastern end of the Bellarine Peninsula in Port Phillip. It is partly separated from Port Phillip by Swan Island, Duck Island and Edwards Point. Islands located within the bay include Mangrove Island, Rabbit Island, Sand Island, Stingaree Island and Tip Island.
Recreation
Recreation in the bay mainly revolves around sightseeing activities such as
Myths
There is supposedly a treasure hidden in a cave on the southern shoreline of Swan Bay. The myth revolves around the pirate Benito "Bloody Sword" Bonito, who raided the west coast of the Americas. His career began around 1818 but from there on sources differ. According to one legend his ship was boarded by a British man-of-war after Bonito exited Port Phillip after hiding a treasure in Swan Bay, apparently the so-called "Lost Loot of Lima", sometime in 1821. He was subsequently given a trial and hanged.
References
- ^ "Swans Bay (VIC)". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government.
- ^ ISBN 0-7311-8349-5
- ^ "IBA: Swan Bay and Port Phillip Bay Islands". Birdata. Birds Australia. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ Barter, Mark; Campbell, Jeff; & Lane, Brett. (1988). Swan Bay: Conservation of Birds. RAOU Report No.50. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union: Melbourne.