Whale watching at Muttonbird Island
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve
Overview
Don't miss this free whale watching experience on Muttonbird Island, Coffs Harbour. The whales are on their annual migration, so it's a great time to see them. Our NPWS rangers can answer your queries.
- When
Mondays 8 July and 15 July 2024, 9.30am to 12pm
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair access
- Grade
- Medium. Suitable for all ages. It’s around a 2km return walk to the lookout from the carpark area near the breakwall.
- Meeting point
- Viewing platform at the Eastern Side lookout on Muttonbird Island. Access the walking track via the end of the marina breakwall, Coffs Harbour Jetty.
- Bookings
- Bookings not required. For further information, email or call 0488 425 346. Please note, this activity may be cancelled without notice due to poor weather.
The whales are here, and Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve in Coffs Harbour is a prime spot for whale watching.
Patience and luck can reward whale watchers. Keep your eyes peeled for majestic humpback whales, and their stunning displays of power and agility as they pass by the coast. Our friendly and knowledgeable NSW National Parks education rangers have powerful binoculars and scopes on hand. Make this free whale watching experience the highlight of your holidays.
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/events/whale-watching-muttonbird-island/local-alerts
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 Whale watching at Muttonbird Island.
Getting there and parking
To get to Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve 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.
The Eastern Side lookout is on the eastern side of the island, a short walk from the carpark area along the marina breakwall. To get there, follow the short paved walkway that traverses the island.
Parking
Parking is available in and around the marina and waterfront precinct off Marina Drive, a short walk from Muttonbird Discovery display.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Learn more
Whale watching at Muttonbird Island 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.
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.
- The rookery roundabout at Muttonbird Island Explore Muttonbird Island on The rookery roundabout, a Stage 1 (Years 1-2) Science and Technology excursion. Students will see an active nesting rookery for thousands of wedge-tailed shearwaters (muttonbirds) and learn about their fascinating lifecycle.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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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