Leslie Massey
Montague Island, also known as Barunguba, is a continental island located in the Montague Island Nature Reserve, about 9km off the coast of Narooma in New South Wales, Australia. The island is a popular tourist attraction, known for its abundant wildlife, including seals, little penguins, and nesting seabirds. It is also home to a historic lighthouse, the Montague Island Light, which was built in 1881 and is maintained by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The island has cultural significance to the local Aboriginal people and offers stunning vistas and diving opportunities for visitors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | South Coast of New South Wales, Australia |
| Nearest town | Narooma |
| Distance from Narooma | 9 km (5.6 mi) or a 20-minute boat ride |
| Size | 81 hectares (200 acres) |
| Type of Island | Continental island |
| Type of Reserve | Nature reserve |
| Aboriginal Name | Barunguba |
| Aboriginal History | Home to ceremonies and a source of food for the local group of Yuin people, the Walbunja people |
| Wildlife | Little penguins, seals, shearwaters, crested terns, silver gulls, humpback whales, sea eagles, peregrine falcons, turtles, fish (including tuna, marlin, and kingfish) |
| Number of Bird Species | Over 90 |
| Number of Little Penguins | 12,000 |
| Number of Fur Seals | Up to 2,000 |
| Number of Shearwaters | Thousands |
| Accommodation | Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage, Assistant Keeper's Cottage, Farnboro Motel in Narooma |
| Activities | Swimming with seals, whale watching, birdwatching, fishing, snorkelling, guided tours, penguin spotting |
| Lighthouse | Montague Island Light, designed by James Barnet, built in 1881, automated in 1986 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The island is a popular tourist attraction off the coast of Narooma, NSW
- It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including fur seals and little penguins
- Montague Island features in Aboriginal mythology and has cultural significance to the Yuin people
- The island is accessible only by boat and offers guided tours and accommodation
- The Montague Island Lighthouse, built in 1881, is a notable landmark and part of Australia's nautical history
The island is a popular tourist attraction off the coast of Narooma, NSW
Montague Island, also known as Barunguba, is a popular tourist attraction off the coast of Narooma, NSW, Australia. The island is a nature reserve, classified as a Landscape Conservation Area due to its scenic, historical, and scientific significance. It is known for its stunning natural environment, unique wildlife, and historical lighthouse.
Located just 9km off the coast of Narooma, Montague Island is accessible only by boat. The island is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including a large colony of Australian and New Zealand fur seals, little penguins, and various bird species. It is also a popular spot for diving and snorkelling, with crystal clear waters and an abundance of marine life.
The island has a rich history and cultural significance. Known as Barunguba to the local Aboriginal people, the Yuin nation, the island was a source of food and a place for ceremonies for thousands of years. The Walbunja people, a group within the Yuin nation, would paddle to the island in canoes to collect mutton bird eggs. The island also features in Aboriginal mythology as the eldest son of Gulaga (Mount Dromedary).
Today, visitors to Montague Island can enjoy a range of activities and experiences. Guided tours of the island are led by National Parks and Wildlife Service guides, who share their knowledge of the island's history and wildlife. Visitors can also stay overnight in the historic Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage or the Assistant Keeper's Cottage, offering a unique and comfortable experience.
The island is a popular destination for holidaymakers from Sydney and Canberra and other parts of Australia. With its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and cultural significance, Montague Island offers a memorable and enriching experience for visitors seeking to explore the natural wonders of NSW.
Exploring the Vastness: Australia vs Saudi Arabia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including fur seals and little penguins
Montague Island, located off the coast of Narooma, is a natural treasure and a haven for diverse wildlife. The island is home to a variety of marine and animal life, including fur seals and little penguins, making it a popular attraction for tourists seeking unique wildlife experiences.
The fur seals on Montague Island primarily belong to the Australian and New Zealand fur seal species. These seals are known for their unique cooling behaviour, rolling onto their sides on top of the water and sticking a flipper in the air, resembling a wave. While fur seals don't stay in one place for long, a New Zealand fur seal colony has surprisingly resided on the southern end of the island for two consecutive years. During the winter and spring, the number of fur seals can exceed 1,000, with annual residents typically comprising Australian and New Zealand fur seals.
Little penguins, officially known as Eudyptula Minor, also thrive on Montague Island. With over 8,000 pairs, the island boasts the largest colony of these penguins in New South Wales. Visitors can spot these little penguins during their evening routines from an illuminated observation platform. The penguins are most active during breeding and moulting seasons, while they spend the rest of the year foraging for food at sea.
In addition to the fur seals and little penguins, Montague Island is a haven for other wildlife. The island's clear waters teem with fish, including tuna, marlin, and kingfish, attracting fishing enthusiasts. It is also a nesting ground for shearwaters and crested terns, and various bird species find refuge on the island due to the absence of snakes and predatory mammals. The surrounding East Australian Current brings baitfish, predator fish, and squid, attracting larger marine mammals like dolphins and whales. Humpback whales are often spotted near the island during their migration to Antarctica in the spring, offering visitors whale-watching opportunities.
Building Square Footage: Australian Standard Measurements
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Montague Island features in Aboriginal mythology and has cultural significance to the Yuin people
Montague Island, known as Barunguba to the local Aboriginal people, is situated off the South Coast of New South Wales, near Narooma. It is the second-largest island off the NSW coast and forms part of the Montague Island Nature Reserve. The island has been known to the local group of Yuin people, the Walbunja people, an Aboriginal nation, as Barunguba, and features in Aboriginal mythology.
In Aboriginal mythology, Barunguba is the eldest son of Gulaga (Mount Dromedary), the mother. Her younger son, Najanuka (Little Dromedary), was not allowed to go far from home as Barunguba did, but Gulaga can still see both her sons in the distance. The Walbunja people used to paddle across to the island in bark canoes to collect mutton bird eggs. This journey was dangerous, about 9km each way. In the 19th century, a tragic event occurred when almost an entire clan of Yuin people drowned in a storm surge while returning to the mainland after collecting these eggs.
The Yuin people have had a long connection with Barunguba, travelling there for traditional ceremonies and food, and using it as a men's teaching place. There are many Aboriginal artefacts and middens on the island. In recognition of its cultural significance to the Yuin people, Barunguba was declared an Aboriginal Place under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 in June 2018.
Today, Montague Island is a popular tourist destination, known for its lighthouse, wildlife, and recreational activities. Visitors can take guided tours, go diving or snorkelling with the seals, and see whales between September and November during their annual migration south. The island is also home to a large colony of little penguins, and nesting seabirds.
Cruise Ships in Australia: June Operations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rRihqWqgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The island is accessible only by boat and offers guided tours and accommodation
Montague Island, also known as Barunguba to the local Aboriginal people, is located off the coast of Narooma on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is classified as a Landscape Conservation Area due to its scenic, historical, and scientific significance. The island is a popular attraction, known for its stunning natural environment and diverse wildlife.
Being accessible only by boat, visitors can take a 20-minute boat ride from Narooma to reach the island. Montague Island offers a range of guided tours and activities for visitors. The tours are led by experienced guides trained by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Visitors can explore the island's abundant wildlife, including seals, little penguins, seabirds, and other marine life. The island is also a popular spot for diving and snorkelling, with crystal clear waters and the opportunity to swim with seals.
One of the highlights of Montague Island is the historic lighthouse, Montague Island Light, which was built in 1881 and stands 21 metres tall. Visitors can take a guided tour of the lighthouse and learn about its history. The island also offers accommodation for those who want to extend their stay. The Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage and the Assistant Keeper's Cottage provide comfortable lodging with stunning views of the ocean and the remote landscape.
In addition to its natural attractions, Montague Island holds cultural and historical significance for the Yuin people, the Walbunja people, an Aboriginal nation. The island was known as Barunguba to the Yuin people and played an important role in their ceremonies and mythology. Aboriginal sites of significance can be found across the island, adding to its cultural value.
Whether it's for a day trip or an overnight stay, Montague Island offers a unique and memorable experience. With its rich history, stunning scenery, and abundant wildlife, the island is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a deeper connection to the cultural heritage of the area.
Growing Custard Apples from Seeds in Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![2 Pack - Laminated World Map & US Map Poster Set - Wall Chart Map of the World & United States - Made in the USA [Yellow]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91d58tGhj2L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/814R4OsGtCL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Montague Island Lighthouse, built in 1881, is a notable landmark and part of Australia's nautical history
The Montague Island Lighthouse, built in 1881, is a renowned landmark on the island. Designed by James Barnet, the 21-metre-tall tower is constructed from locally sourced interlocking granite blocks. The lighthouse was automated in 1986, and its original Fresnel lens was removed and placed on display at the Narooma Lighthouse Museum. The lens was replaced by a lightweight array of sealed beams, and the light was electrified, powered by a diesel generator. The light's intensity has been upgraded several times over the years, reaching 1,000,000 candela in 1969.
The lighthouse has played a significant role in Australia's nautical history. Before its construction, Montague Island was a frequent landing place for shipwrecked sailors. During the mid-19th century gold rush, seabird eggs were collected from the island and sold to miners. As coastal shipping trade to NSW increased in the mid-1800s, there was growing pressure for a navigation aid on the island. The need for a lighthouse was first proposed in 1873, and construction was approved in 1877. The lighthouse became operational in 1881, and its presence on the island has contributed to maritime safety ever since.
The island itself is located about 9 kilometres off the coast of Narooma on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is accessible only by boat and is a popular tourist destination, known for its stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and historical significance. The island is classified as a Landscape Conservation Area and a Nature Reserve due to its ecological and cultural importance. It is home to a variety of marine and animal life, including seals, little penguins, and seabirds. The Walbunja people, an Aboriginal nation, have a deep connection to the island, which they know as Barunguba.
Today, visitors can explore the island through guided tours, dive and snorkel in the surrounding waters, and even stay overnight in the lighthouse keeper's cottage to immerse themselves in the history and natural beauty of Montague Island.
Marigolds: Pest Control and Australian Garden Care
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Montague Island is located 9km off the coast of Narooma, in New South Wales.
The island is a popular tourist destination, offering the chance to see wildlife, including fur seals, little penguins, nesting seabirds and humpback whales. Visitors can also take a tour of the lighthouse, stay in the lighthouse keeper's cottage, snorkel with the seals, or go fishing.
Known as Barunguba to the local Aboriginal people, the island was home to ceremonies and was a source of food for thousands of years. The Walbunja people used to paddle across to the island in canoes to collect mutton bird eggs. The island also features in Aboriginal mythology as the eldest son of Gulaga (Mount Dromedary).
The island is accessible only by boat. Visitors can travel to the island with Narooma Charters, who operate large vessels out to the island. Access to land on the island is managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, who offer ranger-guided half-day tours or overnight conservation tours.
