Barunguba / Montague Island is a continental island contained within the Montague Island Nature Reserve, a protectednature reserve that is located offshore from the South Coast region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The nearest town located onshore from the 81-hectare (200-acre) reserve and island is Narooma, situated approximately 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) to the northwest.
History
The island has been known to the local group of Yuin people, an Aboriginal nation, as Barunguba,[2] and there are Aboriginal sites of significance across the island.[3] It features in Aboriginal mythology, as 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.[4]
After a period of community consultation from mid-2021,[7] the island was officially assigned the dual names of Montague Island and Barunguba on 30 November 2021. Signage will place Barunguba,[8] reflecting the importance of the Dhurga language, history and traditions. Gulaga and Najanuka / Little Dromedary Mountain were dual-named at the same time.[4]
Description
Montague Island, situated off the South Coast of New South Wales near Narooma,[9] is the second largest island off the NSW coast after Lord Howe Island,[10] and forms part of the Montague Island Nature Reserve.[9] It has been classified by the National Trust as a Landscape Conservation Area for its scenic, scientific and historical values. The Montague Island Light buildings are entered on the Register of the National Estate because of the architectural quality of the tower and residences.[10]
Montague Island is a popular tourist destination, known for its lighthouse, wildlife, most especially little penguins (Eudyptula minor), and recreational activities; managed by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS).[11] Public access to the island is restricted to guided tours conducted by the NPWS in association with private operators.[10]
A lighthouse called Montague Island Light is maintained on the island by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The lighthouse was designed by James Barnet and built in 1881. It was automated in 1986 and was no longer staffed in 1987. The lighthouse is 21 metres (69 ft) tall and the light is 80 metres (260 ft) above sea level with a nominal range of 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) and a geographic range of 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi). The original Fresnel lens was removed in 1986 and is now on display at the Narooma Lighthouse Museum.[12]
The island is home to a large colony of little penguins on the island. As the island has no foxes or feral cats, the penguins have no predators other than other seabirds and seals. With the restoration of native habitat and the provision of penguin breeding boxes, penguin numbers have increased, and there are now approximately 12,000 on the island. The female usually lays two eggs, and during a good year, both chicks will survive. The birds come ashore at dusk after feeding at sea, and visitors to the island can watch the birds from a platform near the jetty.
Crested terns
Crested terns, Sterna bergii, have brilliant white feathers covering the body while the head is completely black.
Shearwaters
Shearwaters, also known as mutton birds, nest on the island. Species recorded are:
The northern tip of the island is the seasonal home to a seal bachelor colony. Due to the site's remoteness, it is only possible for visitors to see them from a boat.
Kikuyu grass is a major weed on the island. Originally introduced in the early 19th century to help feed the animals kept by the lighthouse keepers and their families, it has spread to cover most of the south island. To control it, NPWS officers poison a section, then burn it, before replanting with help from volunteers. In the less accessible areas of the northern and eastern parts, an aerial spraying program is used to manage the kikuyu where it infests shearwater breeding sites. 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.[citation needed]
Climate
Montague Island has a mild oceanic climate (Cfb) with warmish summers and mild winters with moderate rainfall all year round. Temperatures are heavily moderated by the proximity to the ocean, as shown by the relatively warm winter nighttime temperatures. Under the Trewartha climate classification, it features a humid subtropical climate.
Climate data for Montague Island Light (36º15'S, 150º14'E, 52 m AMSL) (1968-2024 normals and extremes)
