WITH December 2013 already a record-beater, National Parks says the fantastic weather and sea conditions so far in January have seen an enormous jump in visitors to Montague Island Nature Reserve.
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December 2013 saw 569 visitors take a day tour to the island, a 34 per cent increase in day tour visitors from 2012 and the largest December figure since introduction of multiple vessel contracts in October 2011, and in fact largest number of December visitors for more than 10 years.
Discovery coordinator of Montague Island Tours Cassandra Bendixsen said NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service staff had been kept very busy catering to the tourists, and ensuring all who visited the island had a good time.
“It is just such a fantastic day out,” Bendixsen said.
“Where else in Australia can you take your family for a day out on the ocean, see an abundance of threatened seabirds with their chicks, colonies of Australian and New Zealand fur seals and their pups; and depending on the time of day you choose to visit, watch NSW’s largest colony of little penguins return from their day’s fishing.
“With perfect sea temperatures this January, lots of people visiting the island have also been going for a snorkel with the seals.
“The water is just so clear at the moment, meaning the visibility is amazing; you can see the seals and pups playing and leaping all about you, in the protection of a little cove out at the island. It is just the most unforgettable experience, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
“We have the good fortune here in Narooma; you can do all of the above after a nice long morning at the beach, and still be home in time for a late supper.”
Montague Island tours are bookable through the Narooma Visitor Centre.