Montague Island - About the island

Montague is a unique environment through being a large, offshore island, rising up from the deep sea bed and surrounded by or in close proximity to the East Australian current and only 5 nautical miles from the continental shelf.  Montague Island is roughly rectangular, 1.4km long and 525 metres wide at its widest, and is oriented north-south. A ravine divides it into a northern section, covering approximately one third the total area, and a larger southern section on which the lighthouse and other developments are located. The two sections are commonly referred to as the north and south "islands". The landscape rises spectacularly from the ocean, with the grey-brown south end rocks contrasting with the black rocks of the north end. A bright orange lichen covering rings the island on the rocks above the spray line, and the low vegetation highlights the white of the light station buildings with the tower overlooking all.

To local Aboriginal people, and many others as well, the island is known as Barunguba, and is the eldest son of Gulaga ( Mount Dromedary on the mainland) and a brother to Najunuka (Little Dromedary, at the feet of Gulaga). This evidence records that the island was used by the local people for traditional ceremonial purposes and also as a source of food. The island is still regarded as an important mens' teaching place. The southern section of the island is a significant historic place. Over 110 years of lightkeeping are represented on the island by the tower, the keepers quarters and associated features such as sheds, gardens, tracks and jetties. The lightstation was conceived in 1873 but monies were not allocated for several years. Construction was eventually completed after some problems and the light was officially commissioned on November 1st 1881.