Cleft Island: Australia’s Spooky Skull-Shaped Island
Wilsons Promontory National Park in Australia is home to a spooky, isolated island that resembles a giant skull from afar. Countless onlookers have been captivated by the large caverns, sheer cliffs, and overall eeriness of Cleft Island, which is often referred to as Skull Rock. Visitors can peer into the dark recesses of Skull Rock from a boat, but anchoring a vessel and exploring the island is a difficult task due to choppy water and a series of vertical cliffs.
Several intrepid adventurers have successfully explored Skull Rock after being dropped off by a helicopter. The explorers discovered a large cavern lined with green grass, nesting birds, a few vociferous fur seals, and several rusted cannonballs that historians speculate came from passing ships that fired on vacant Skull Rock. Divers have spotted the remnants of several unlucky ships which collided with Skull Rock. Eagle-eyed divers may even spot a real skull in the depths near the base of the skull-shaped island.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Cleft Island (Skull Rock), Anser Group, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria, Australia
- Coordinates
- -39.15771, 146.29452
- Access
- Cleft Island (Skull Rock) is offshore and can be viewed only by boat; it is not a walk-up stop. Book a licensed cruise from Tidal River and confirm current departures and sea conditions. Parks Victoria also describes limited beach launching at Tidal River and larger-boat launching at Port Welshpool, subject to conditions. Do not attempt to land or climb the island.
- Admission
- There is no separately listed island admission. The current operator lists its 2.5-hour Skull Rock Wilderness Cruise at A$175 adult, A$110 child ages 3–16 and A$515 for a family (2 adults, 3 children). Confirm live prices and availability when booking.
- Time needed
- The operator’s Wilderness Cruise takes 2.5 hours and includes Skull Rock; its Ultimate Day Cruise takes 5.5 hours and also visits Skull Rock. These are boat-cruise durations, not time spent on the island.
- Best season
- No official best season is published for viewing Skull Rock. The operator currently lists an 11 a.m. Wilderness Cruise daily and an additional 2 p.m. departure November–April; trips can be varied or cancelled. Parks Victoria says humpback and southern right whales pass the marine park October–April, but sightings are not guaranteed and this is wildlife context, not a Skull Rock access season.
- Opening hours
- The offshore island has no public opening hours. Viewing depends on a scheduled cruise and marine conditions; the operator currently lists an 11 a.m. Wilderness Cruise daily and a second 2 p.m. departure November–April. Check its booking calendar for current dates and any cancellations.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-29
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-08
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