Point D'Entrecasteaux

34°50′S 116°0′E

Point D'Entrecasteaux is a point on the south coast of Western Australia. The first European sighting was by the Frenchman Antoine Bruni d'Entrecasteaux in the 1700s, although there were possible sightings by Dutch navigators from ships such as Leeuwin in the 1600s.^[a] The nearest populated site on the coast is Windy Harbour to the east of the point, and Northcliffe to the north. The point is located within the D'Entrecasteaux National Park.^[1]

The main location west on the coast is Cape Leeuwin, and to the east is Point Nuyts. There are named islands near the point, including Quagering Island and Sandy Island.

It has been a site of material found from the ocean.^[2][3][4][5]

There also had been reports of heavy sea conditions in the vicinity.^[6][7] It was frequently used as a reference point for reports on geology and biota relevant to the south coast of Western Australia.^[8] It was also a referent point for maritime navigation and cartographic charts.^[9][10]

Notes

1. See, for instance, Pieter Nuyts' activities in the early 1600s.

References

1. "Point D'Entrecasteaux". Parks and Wildlife Serves. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
2. "VASSE". Southern Times. Western Australia. 10 September 1892. p. 1 (SUPPLEMENT TO THE SOUTHERN TIMES.). Retrieved 18 January 2020 – via Trove.
3. "A Much Travelled Bottle". South Western Times. Western Australia. 13 January 1934. p. 8. Retrieved 18 January 2020 – via Trove.
4. "A Much Travelled Bottle". Harvey Murray Times. Western Australia. 12 January 1934. p. 4. Retrieved 18 January 2020 – via Trove.
5. "FLOTSAM CASE". The West Australian. Western Australia. 9 May 1945. p. 7 (THIRD EDITION). Retrieved 18 January 2020 – via Trove.
6. "A HEAVY SEA". The Examiner (Tasmania). Tasmania, Australia. 5 May 1905. p. 6 (DAILY.). Retrieved 18 January 2020 – via Trove.
7. "ENORMOUS TIDAL WAVE". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 5 May 1905. p. 6. Retrieved 18 January 2020 – via Trove.
8. "THE SOUTH COAST BETWEEN POINT D'ENTRECASTEAUX AND ALBANY". Western Mail. Western Australia. 23 February 1895. p. 16. Retrieved 18 January 2020 – via Trove.
9. Australia. Royal Australian Navy. Hydrographic Service; Australia. Army. Royal Australian Survey Corps (1985), Australia - south coast, Western Australia, Cape Leeuwin to Point D'Entrecasteaux (New ed. 11th October 1985 ed.), Hydrographic Service, R.A.N, retrieved 18 January 2020
10. Australian Hydrographic Service (2009), Point D'Entrecasteaux to Point Hillier, Australia - south coast, Western Australia (Ed. no. 3 ed.), Australian Hydrographic Service, retrieved 18 January 2020