Montague Island

Today we went on a tour to Montague Island, it was such a beautiful day it did not disappoint. There were two groups on the tour boat, the first group were doing the Island tour, while the second group were going snorkelling with the seals, Phil and I were in the first group. Once we were outside the bar and heading towards the Island, there were lots of Whales heading North, once we got closer to the Island seals were harassing a Whale, I have added this video to this entry, thanks to Phil.

Things we learned while touring the Island.

— Home to a large colony of little penguins. The island has no foxes or feral cats, the penguins have no predators other than other seabirds and seals.

— Shearwater, also known as mutton birds, nest on the island.

— Home to a seal bachelor colony. The majority of the seals are Australian fur seals, and New Zealand fur seals

— Kikuyu grass is a major weed on the island. The Kikuyu is a barrier for the shearwaters and penguins, who cannot penetrate it to move or to burrow. Various native species are used to replant areas after the Kikuyu grass has been controlled.

— The Lighthouse has no mortar, each block was designed individually to interlock, and no piece can be moved into another block space. The lighthouse was designed by James Barnet and built-in 1881.

— Montague Island is also a sacred place for the Yuin people, used for fishing, traditional ceremonies, and as a men’s teaching place.Read more