Hi All:
My family and I are trying to find out if it would be worthwhile to take a sidetrip down to Narooma and Montague Island during our trip to Sidney in July. We're particularly interested in seeing the penguins on Montague Island but not sure if there are many, or any, at that time of year. Any assistance would be welcomed and appreciated

I didn't know anything about penguins on Montague Island so I did a quick google and I didn't think it sounded very promising if seeing penguins is your main aim. None of the tours on the island that I came across mentioned seeing penguins which you would expect if they are easily accessible. The only one I found mentioning penguins was a 1 or 2 overnight stay with National Parks and was primarily about restoring penguin habitats, not seeing them.

Also, don't forget that you will only see penguins either at dawn or dusk/night so unless you can be there at that time you will not be seeing anything.

However, if you get a chance to see them at some stage you should take the opportunity. In February this year I spent a few days on Gabo Island which is the largest breeding colony of fairy penguins in the world and watching the penguins come in each evening was absolutely wonderful. Their antics and social behavior/pecking orders were delightful. The fact that we had the entire island to ourselves (only one house on the island available for accomodation) and we could sit out there with our glasses of wine and nibblies whilst we watched the sun set and waited for the penguins to turn up only added to the experience.

Unfortunately, Gabo is a bit far from Sydney for you. It is near the border of Victoria/New South Wales and needs to be booked well in advance as there is only the one house.

Incidentally, if you were also thinking of whale watching it will be the wrong time of the year.

Hi - not sure I'd call it a side trip from Sydney (not Sidney please unless you want me to refer to Washington as Washingtone or some such). A minimum of 4 (more like 5) hours' drive each way. Longer on public transport.

Now if you were taking a road trip from MLB to SYD the long way around then it would be a definite stop.

Happy hols.

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Debdeq - I've been to Montague Island. Its not a short trip from Sydney, you need to stay 2 nights in Narooma (a nice south coast town, with great little restaurants on the Inlet behind the town).
Anyway, the purpose of doing a trip to Montague Island, is mainly to see the seals, beautiful aqua blue water, and walk over the island, seeing the old lighthouse and relics. We saw one penguin on the island, and it was very well concealed in the crevices of the rocks.

Hi Tropo, thanks,were you there in July?

From memory, I think it was around September/October, the sea temperatures were a bit cool. The colour of the water as you approach the small jetty on Montague Island, is absolutely beautiful colour, and so clear.