Muttonbirds by moonlight guided tour
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve
Overview
Walk the break wall path from Coffs Harbour to Muttonbird Island and join this short evening tour. You'll come up close to the birds who give Muttonbird Island its name.
- When
Friday 18 October, 22 November and 20 December 2024, 7.30pm to 9pm.
Friday 17 January, 14 February and 7 March 2025, 7.30pm to 9pm.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Grade
- Easy. Suitable for children 5 years and over.
- Price
-
Adult $20 per person. Child (5-16 years) $10 per person. Family (2 adults, 2 children) $50.
- Meeting point
- Muttonbird Island Outdoor learning space
- Bookings
- Bookings required. Phone 1300 072 757 for more information or book online.
The Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, or Muttonbirds, arrive at the island after completing their amazing long-haul flight from winter feeding grounds in South East Asia. Come along to celebrate their arrival on this award-winning evening tour.
Meet your experienced NPWS guide at the outdoor learning space and learn about the strong cultural significance the island holds for the local Gumbayyngirr people.
You’ll then venture onto the island to catch a glimpse of the Muttonbirds who have been using the area as a rookery for thousands of years. You’ll learn about the interesting lifecycle and biology of these migratory seabirds. If you’re visiting during the late summer months, be on the lookout for fluffy chicks waiting for their parents to return with dinner.
This hugely popular activity will engage all the family. It’s a good idea to bring a small personal torch, insect repellent and to wear something warm.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/muttonbirds-by-moonlight/local-alerts
Bookings
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Operated by
- NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
Park info
- in Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve in the North Coast region
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Muttonbirds by moonlight guided tour.
Getting there and parking
From Coffs Harbour:
- Follow Harbour Drive, then take Marina Drive to the waterfront and marina, or,
- Take Orlando Street and cross the railway line to Coffs Harbour Yacht Club.
Parking
Parking available.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Not wheelchair-accessible.
Learn more
Muttonbirds by moonlight guided tour is in Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Divers delight
Muttonbird Island marks the southern boundary of the Solitary Islands Marine Park. The marine park protects coral reefs, mangroves, sea-grass beds, rockpools and river estuaries. It's a diver's paradise, a place where fish species from the tropical north and temperate south mingle among the reefs.
- Eastern Side lookout The Eastern Side lookout offers spectacular views of the Solitary Islands. A short walk from the carpark, it’s a great place for whale watching in the heart of Coffs Harbour.
- Muttonbirds by moonlight guided tour Walk the break wall path from Coffs Harbour to Muttonbird Island and join this short evening tour. You'll come up close to the birds who give Muttonbird Island its name.
Giidany Miirlarl
Muttonbird Island is a sacred and significant site to the local Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people, who call the island Giidany Miirlarl, meaning moon sacred place. The moon is the island's protector, guarding the muttonbirds as a food source and protecting them from over-harvesting. The island was also a ceremonial site. Find out more about the cultural significance of Gumbaynggirr Country, taste bush tucker foods and learn about traditional uses of plants for medicine and shelter on a guided tour with one of the Aboriginal Discovery Rangers.
Love nest
The island is home to thousands of wedge-tailed shearwaters, so called for their ability to cut or shear the water with their wings as they skim across the surface. Early settlers called them muttonbirds because of their fatty mutton-like flesh. The birds spend the Australian winter in southeast Asia, travelling back to Muttonbird Island in August each year. Amazingly, the birds return to the same burrow every year. A pair of birds share the responsibility of keeping one single egg warm and then share the raising of their chick. During the day they forage for food and return to their burrow just after dusk. They depart on their annual migration in late April every year.
- An island sanctuary self-guided audio tour Go on a self-guided audio tour with Matt Flanders across Muttonbird Island and discover the significance of this bustling seabird rookery. Take in the spectacular views as you stroll towards the eastern lookout and learn about the shearwaters that nest here.
- Eastern Side lookout The Eastern Side lookout offers spectacular views of the Solitary Islands. A short walk from the carpark, it’s a great place for whale watching in the heart of Coffs Harbour.
- Muttonbirds by moonlight Muttonbirds by Moonlight is an Ecosystems at risk school excursion on Muttonbird Island, a nesting rookery for wedgetail shearwaters, for Stage 6 (Years 11-12) students focusing on Geography.
- Muttonbirds by moonlight Join us at twilight for a fascinating exploration of Muttonbird Island and its nesting rookery for thousands of wedge-tailed shearwaters. This Stage 2 (Years 3-4) Geography excursion examines the features and characteristics of this unique place and environment.
- Muttonbirds by moonlight guided tour Walk the break wall path from Coffs Harbour to Muttonbird Island and join this short evening tour. You'll come up close to the birds who give Muttonbird Island its name.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
-
Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.
Education resources (1)
School excursions (5)
- Giidany Miirlarl: A special site, Stage 3 (Years 5-6), Science and Technology
- Muttonbirds by moonlight, Stage 6 (Years 11-12), Geography
- The rookery roundabout at Muttonbird Island, Stage 1 (Years 1-2), Science and Technology
- Giidany Miirlarl: A special site, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography
- Muttonbirds by moonlight, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography