Montague Island, NaroomaCredit: Destination NSW
Montague Island Adventures tour boat along the shores of Montague Island Nature Reserve, Narooma.
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Known for its unique wildlife encounters and fascinating maritime and Aboriginal history, Montague Island is a small island crowned by a heritage-listed lighthouse that rises up over a lush landscape dotted with boulders. One of Australia’s top ecotourism destinations, the protected nature reserve is also one of few places in the world where you can observe whales, fur seals, little penguins and more than 90 bird species in the one spot. Here’s how to make the most of your experience.
How to get to Montague Island
Montague Island (or Baranguba to the local Yuin Aboriginal people, the region’s Traditional Owners) is located 9km off the picturesque coastal town of Narooma on the far South Coast of NSW. Narooma is approximately four hours’ drive south of Sydney, or three hours from Canberra. You can also fly from Sydney to Moruya Airport and rent a car for the 45-minute drive south to Narooma. The island is a 20-minute boat ride from Narooma’s marina (look out for dolphins, which are known to play around the boats en route). Note: the island is only accessible via authorised commercial vessel tour operators.
Swim with seals
Montague Island is home to hundreds of Australian and New Zealand fur seals, and one of the most memorable ways to observe these playful creatures is to join them in the water on a snorkelling or scuba diving tour. There are plenty of different tours to choose from, with some operators, including Montague Island Adventures, offering combined snorkelling and island tours. Island Charters pairs seal snorkelling with a gourmet lunch on its Meal with a Seal cruise. And with Narooma Charters, you can combine a fishing carter with scuba diving with seals. Underwater Safaris specialises in marine-based tours, including snorkelling and scuba diving with seals, while Island Charters Narooma offers mainland-based snorkelling and diving tours. You can also indulge in whale watching while out on the water, with peak whale season occurring from September to November.
Montague Island Highlight Selects
Enjoy unique wildlife encounters on Montague Island.
Montague Island Highlight Selects
Enjoy unique wildlife encounters on Montague Island.
Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Spot dolphins on the boat trip to Montague Island.
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Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Spot dolphins on the boat trip to Montague Island.
Montague Island, near Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Snorkel with Montague Island’s fur seals.
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Montague Island, near Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Snorkel with Montague Island’s fur seals.
Tour the island
Officially discovered by the master of the convict ship Surprise two decades after it was spotted by Captain Cook, Montague Island, which was named after British statesman George Montagu-Dunk, Earl of Halifax, has a rich colonial history. For centuries before that, however, the local Yuin Aboriginal people had used the island as a men’s teaching place. You’ll learn more about both aspects of its history on a guided tour of the island, which are led by knowledgeable NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service rangers who work closely with the commercial operators who bring you to the island; a range of different tour packages are available.
Montague Island is also home to the state’s largest colony of little penguins, which you can visit on island tours from September to January. Birdwatchers can also observe three species of shearwaters, as well as birds of prey such as sea eagles and whistling kites, among the 90 bird species that visit the island throughout the year.
Stay in a lighthouse keeper’s cottage
Montague Island’s still-active granite lighthouse is a significant historical landmark, having remained largely unchanged since its construction was completed in 1881. Immerse yourself in its storied history with an overnight stay in one of the island’s two lovingly restored lighthouse keeper’s cottages. The Montague Island Head Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage, with five bedrooms, or the three-bedroom Montague Island Assistant Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage, both command superb ocean views. Boat transport and a two-and-a-half-hour tour of the island are included in the tariff.
Each cottage has a well-equipped kitchen and barbecue facilities. While some parts of the island are off-limits to visitors for wildlife conservation and cultural reasons, stay overnight at one of the cottages and you’re welcome to tackle the Montague Island walking track, a steep, paved 1.5km circuit, or simply enjoy unwinding on the verandah of your cottage, watching humpback whales toss themselves out of the waves as fur seals doze on the rocky shoreline.
When to go
Montague Island tours run year-round, with each season offering a unique wildlife experience. The fur seal colony reaches its peak in mid-spring, with penguins and whales arriving in September. Huge numbers of shearwaters begin to arrive in October and nest on the island throughout the summer months, with the warmer weather being the most comfortable for snorkelling tours.
Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Spot the island’s prolific birdlife.
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Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Spot the island’s prolific birdlife.
Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Montague Island lighthouse keeper’s cottage.
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Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Montague Island lighthouse keeper’s cottage.
Newcastle Memorial Walk, NewcastleCredit: Destination NSW
The scenic coastline of the city of Newcastle with views of Merewether beach.
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Golden beaches, postcard-perfect ocean pools, a busy harbour and intriguing history make New South Wales’ second-largest city, Newcastle, a favourite travel destination just 170km north of Sydney. It’s also the gateway to some of the state’s best wines, 50km northwest in the Hunter region, and yet more beaches and whale-watching waters in Port Stephens, 60km to the northeast. Regardless of whether you’re a gourmand, adventure enthusiast or lover of luxury, here is a guide to discovering Newcastle— and beyond.
Newcastle
Take a dip in Bogey Hole: There are more than 100 ocean baths across New South Wales, but none are quite as enticing— or important— as Newcastle’s Bogey Hole. Thought to be the oldest of its kind in Australia, this sea-fed pool was cut into the rocks off Shepherds Hill by convicts in 1819. Splash about in the turquoise water, or soak up views of the coastline from any number of cliffside perches; just arrive early in summer, as it’s a popular place to cool off.
Get cultural in Cooks Hill: The inner-city neighbourhood of Cooks Hill is distinguished by its lovely leafy streets, lined with grand Victorian mansions and timber cottages home to some of the city’s most happening restaurants, bars and cafes. In between you’ll discover the Newcastle Art Gallery (with a collection of more than 6,000 works), bookshops and independent galleries. Small wonder it draws an eclectic crowd.
Explore the Honeysuckle precinct: Once a busy industrial area, the Honeysuckle precinct has been reinvented as Newcastle’s hippest waterfront hangout. Many visit to walk, cycle or rollerblade along foreshore promenades— many more arrive to gaze over the busy harbour from buzzing restaurants and bars. You’ll also find the Newcastle Museum here, hosting an exciting calendar of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Stay a stone’s throw from the ocean as well as the city’s attractions at Novotel Newcastle Beach, featuring contemporary and well-appointed guestrooms and modern Australian dining at Bistro Dalby.
Newcastle Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
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Newcastle Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
Camel Riding, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset camel riding experience with in Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
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Camel Riding, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset camel riding experience with in Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
Port Stephens
Cruise out to see whales: Every year between May and November, more than 25,000 humpback and southern right whales steam up and down Australia’s east coast on their annual migration. While you’ll likely spot them breaching and blowing from the shore (the headland in Tomaree National Park is an ideal lookout), there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as getting within a flipper of these majestic creatures on a cruise— there are a number of Port Stephens operators to choose from.
Stay and dine at Bannisters: The retro Salamander Shores motel was a Port Stephens icon for decades— it’s been reborn as Bannisters Port Stephens, its 80 barefoot-luxe rooms and suites done up in a coastal palette of blue and white. Slide into the infinity pool overlooking the glittering bay, dine on fresh seafood by celebrated chef Rick Stein or explore the national parkland and crystal-clear waterways that characterise the Port Stephens region.
Discover the sand dunes: The longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere, the Stockton Sand Dunes reach heights of more than 40 metres, their steep sides often hitting an incline of 60 degrees. Speed freaks will want to sign up for dune surfing or a quad-bike tour, while more leisurely ways to explore the area include camel rides and cultural tours, visiting ancient Aboriginal sites while learning about bush foods.
Hunter Valley
More than 6,000 trees, 60,000 shrubs, and a million other plants and bulbs create a floral wonderland at the Hunter Valley Gardens. Across the 14 hectares there are 8km of walking trails, leading to cool waterfalls and themed areas, including an Italian grotto and the Storybook Garden, taking you on a journey through childhood fantasies. After wandering the grounds, pop in to Harrigan’s Irish-themed bistro for a glass of Hunter Valley wine and the signature beef-and-Guinness pot pie.
Stay and dine at Spicers Guesthouse: Set in the heart of the Hunter Valley— arguably the state’s premier wine region— Spicers Guesthouse is the ultimate country retreat, from the elegant manor house to the stylish rooms. After a day hopping between cellar doors, return for a dip in the infinity pool overlooking native bushland, and a meal at modern-Italian éRemo Restaurant, its menu showcasing the region’s finest producers.
Take a tour: Leave your car behind at your hotel and explore the Hunter Valley’s top wineries on a bespoke tour. The range of offerings is diverse, from chauffeured vintage vehicles cruising between cellar doors— perhaps with an indulgent lunch included— to soaring above the vines at sunrise in a hot-air balloon, with a champagne breakfast when you touch down.
Note: The Newcastle Art Gallery is currently closed for major refurbishments and will reopen in 2024.
Zenith Beach, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Zenith Beach, Port Stephens.
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Zenith Beach, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Zenith Beach, Port Stephens.
Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the manicured hedges of the Border Garden located in the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.
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Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the manicured hedges of the Border Garden located in the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.