Tasmania's Aboriginal community says it is "heartbroken" by the vandalism of a sacred site at Flinders Island, saying it has been treated with "reckless disregard".

Wybalenna was Australia's first mission, operating in the 1800s as an open-air detention facility for more than 200 Aboriginal men, women and children.

Many died there, faced with poor shelter, insufficient food, disease and loss of freedom.

When it closed in 1847, only 48 people remained.

After years of activism, the site was returned to Aboriginal people in 1999 and remains an important place for remembrance, healing and cultural connection.

But Aboriginal Tasmanians are reeling after the grounds were marked with burnout tracks, and a water tank drained while the island grapples with drought.

Aboriginal Land Council of

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