The Needle Rocks, also known as the Needles, are a group of five main rocks with a combined area of about 10.5 ha, in south-eastern Australia. They are part of the Maatsuyker Island Group, lying close to the southern end of the south-western coast of Tasmania. They are part of the Southwest National Park, and thus within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site.[1] They are also part of the Maatsuyker Island Group Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance as a breeding site for seabirds.[2]
The vegetation is dominated by the succulent plant Pig Face. Recorded breeding seabird and wader species are the Little Penguin (40 pairs), Short-tailed Shearwater (860 pairs), Fairy Prion (10,600 pairs), Pacific Gull, Silver Gull, Sooty Oystercatcher and Black-faced Cormorant. The Metallic Skink is present. Up to 1200 Australian Fur Seals use the rocks as a regular haul-out site.[1]