[4] The island was first settled in the early 19th century and was intended to be the main centre of habitation in the Furneaux Group.

The population, having to relocate or face starvation, moved to adjacent Cape Barren Island.

Long Island was Australia's first post office south of Sydney.

Recorded breeding seabird, wader and waterbird species include little penguin, Pacific gull, silver gull, sooty oystercatcher, pied oystercatcher, hooded plover, Cape Barren goose, black swan and grey teal.

The island is currently undergoing a weed management program, mainly trying to remove box thorn.