STORY:
Phillip Island, just 6 kilometres south of Norfolk Island, is part of the Australian external territory of Norfolk Island. It was named in 1788 after Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by Lieutenant Philip Gidley King. The vegetation on Phillip Island was devastated during Norfolk Island’s penal colony era, due to the introduction of domestic animals such as pigs, goats and rabbits. This caused massive erosion and gave the island a reddish-brown colour due to the absence of topsoil. Pigs and goats were removed by the early 20th century, and rabbits were exterminated by 1988. Since then, the natural regeneration of native species, plus remediation work by national park staff, has considerably improved Phillip Island’s environment. Restoration is now underway.