Montague Island

Montague Island (Barunguba) is a protected nature reserve located 9 kilometres offshore from Narooma on the New South Wales South Coast within Eurobodalla Shire. Managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the 82-hectare island is renowned for its historic 1881 lighthouse, large colonies of little penguins and fur seals, and diverse seabird populations. Access is restricted to guided tours by licensed operators departing from Narooma.

Visitors reach the island by licensed tour boat from Narooma (approx. 30-40 minutes crossing) and explore on a guided walking tour. Expect a rugged, treeless island with granite outcrops, grassy slopes, a historic lighthouse complex and keeper's cottages, and abundant wildlife including Australian fur seals, little penguins, crested terns and shearwaters. Tours include the lighthouse, seal colonies viewed from boats or headlands, and snorkelling opportunities in clear waters. There are no shops or overnight stays for general visitors; all visits are supervised and weather-dependent.

The island has long been known as Barunguba to Yuin people. A lighthouse was constructed in 1881 after numerous shipwrecks on the South Coast, designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet. The lighthouse and keeper's quarters are heritage-listed and represent late 19th-century coastal navigation infrastructure. The island was gazetted as a nature reserve in 1953 to protect its significant seabird and seal colonies.

Barunguba is of cultural significance to the Yuin people as a traditional place with spiritual and resource values. The lighthouse complex reflects European maritime heritage of New South Wales. Today the island is managed jointly for nature conservation, heritage preservation and Aboriginal cultural values, with interpretation provided on guided tours.