Giant kelp, Hasselborough Bay, Macquarie Island, Tasmania

Macquarie Island lies in the southwest Pacific Ocean, about half way between New Zealand and Antarctica. It is geographically a part of Tasmania and became a State Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Area in 1997, although it remained a part of Esperance Municipality until 1993. The island is home to the entire population of royal penguins during their annual nesting season. Photographed in 1984, this image depicts giant bull kelp (Durvillaea antarctica) at Hasselborough Bay on the far north coast of Macquarie Island. Giant bull kelp can grow to 20 metres in length, at a rate of up to 60cm per day!