Investigator Strait

Discovery and exploration

It was named Investigator’s Strait by Flinders on Monday 29 March 1802.

Extent

Investigator Strait is bounded by Yorke Peninsula to its north and by Kangaroo Island to its south. Flinders identified its boundaries with the following adjoining bodies of water - Gulf St Vincent and Backstairs Passage. The Strait’s boundary with Gulf St Vincent is the line from Troubridge Point on Yorke Peninsula to Cape Jervis on Fleurieu Peninsula. The Strait’s western boundary by definition is the line from Cape Spencer on Yorke Peninsula to Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island.

Protected areas

A number of protected areas are located both within and adjoining the Strait’s extent.

Aquatic reserves

• Troubridge Hill west of Troubridge Point on the south coast of Yorke Peninsula.

Marine parks

• Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park - the west end of the strait including the coasts of both Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.
• Lower Yorke Peninsula Marine Park - east end of the strait adjoining the south coast of Yorke Peninsula.
• Western Kangaroo Island Marine Park - west end of the strait adjoining the north coast of Kangaroo Island.
• Encounter Marine Park covers the east end of the strait including its boundaries with Nepean Bay and Backstairs Passage.

National parks and other reserves

The following reserves are located on the south coast of Yorke Peninsula (from west to east):

• Innes National Park (includes Chinamans Hat Island)
• Point Davenport Conservation Park The following reserves are located on the north coast of Kangaroo Island (from west to east):
• Flinders Chase National Park
• Cape Torrens Wilderness Protection Area
• Western River Wilderness Protection Area The following reserve is located on Althorpe Islands, Haystack Island and Seal Island at the north-west end of the strait:
• Althorpe Islands Conservation Park

References

References

1. Hydrographic Department, Ministry of Defence. (1983). "Gulf of St Vincent and approaches (chart no. 1762)".
2. Bye, J.A.T. (1976): Physical oceanography of Gulf St Vincent and Investigator Strait. In: [[Charles Rowland Twidale. Twidale, C.R.]], Tyler, M.J. & Webb, B.P. (Eds.), ''Natural history of the Adelaide Region''. Royal Society of SA Inc, Adelaide. pp. 143.
3. {{cite Q. Q133875246. Flinders. Matthew
4. Its boundary with [[Backstairs Passage]] is the line from [[Cape Jervis (headland). 175. 2017. 215
5. "Troubridge Hill Aquatic Reserve". Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA).
6. "Southern Spencer Gulf Park Management plan summary". Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.
7. "Lower Yorke Peninsula Marine Park summary". Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.
8. "Western Kangaroo Island Park Management plan summary". Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.
9. "Encounter Marine Park Management plan summary". Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.
10. (2003). "Innes National Park Management Plan". Department for Environment and Heritage.
11. "Mainland Conservation Parks of Yorke Peninsula Management Plan 2009". Department for Environment and Heritage.
12. (1999). "Flinders Chase National Park, Kelly Hill Conservation Park, Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area and Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area Management Plans". Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs.
13. "Cape Torrens and Western River Wilderness Protection Areas Management Plan 2006". Department for Environment and Heritage.
14. (2009). "Management Plan - Althorpe Islands, Goose Island and Troubridge Island Conservation Parks". Department of Environment & Heritage.