Penguin Island and Mersey Point

Child Places

• 04303 Penguin Island Well
• 04287 Penguin Island Kitchen & Store Cave

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic Value: The remains of former dwellings located within natural and man-made coastal caves on Penguin Island reveals the aesthetic characteristics of the earlier structures and their setting. Historic Value: Penguin Island and Mersey Point are associated with a number of former occupants, most particularly, Seaforth MacKenzie, who lived on the island from 1914 and tried to develop the island into a holiday resort. Social Value: Penguin Island and Mersey point are valued by the community for it's association with Seaforth MacKenzie, and also as a popular tourist attraction. Scientific Value: Penguin Island has the ability to reveal archaeological information about the use and development through the 1920's.

Physical Description

Penguin Island is situated within the Shoalwater Islands marine park, a unique marine environment that surrounds a chain of limestone islands. Penguin Island is located approximately 700 metres off shore from Mersey Point and has an area 12.5 hectares. The island is characterised by limestone overhangs, cliffs, caves and is covered by low lying shrubs. The island has extensive visitor facilities including picnic areas, boardwalks, walkways and lookout platforms. An Interpretive Centre is located on the island, which is accessible from the jetty to the east. Mersey point is located at the south-eastern tip of Safety Bay and is the primary departure point for access to Penguin Island. Facilities at Mersey Point include a kiosk, visitor's centre and gift shop. The jetty is accessed via a timber gazebo

History

Penguin Island was probably first used by the Aboriginal people who have believed to have been in the area up to 12,000 years ago. Paul Seaforth McKenzie, a well known local resident, squatted intermittently on Penguin Island from around 1914. After the Island was gazetted a reserve for public use in 1918, an annual lease was granted to McKenzie. He developed a holiday resort on the island, with himself as caretaker and host. He decided to utilize the limestone caves on the Island; using tools and explosives to extend some, and excavating a number of new ones. Some were equipped for campers, with a fireplace, shelves and rock ledges where bedding could be placed. Hessian sheets were hung from the ceiling to catch falling sand. The caves had grand names such as 'Fairhaven' and 'Tudor Hall', while McKenzie lived in the timber and iron 'Manor hall'. The well (1m x1m x 2m in depth) was neatly and precisely cut out of the limestone on Penguin Island. The well was used as a source of fresh water for campers during Seaforth McKenzie's time on the island, and by squatters during the Depression Years. After McKenzie left the island in the 1930's it continued to be a place of recreation, operated by various lessees until the 1980's when the Department of Conservation and Land Management bought out the lease to protect the environmental values of the land. The history of Mersey Point is closely linked to Penguin Island as it is the departure point to the island. In the 1930s, a small shop, Maddern’s Store, was located at Mersey Point for holidaymakers and locals.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update