About this place
What to expect
No visit to Coffs Harbour is complete if you haven't been to Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. Also know as Giidany Miirlarl, this precious seabird rookery at Coffs Harbour's heart is enveloped by spectacular views from coast to islands. Muttonbird Island is a great spot for watching birds up close; it's one of the only easily-accessible places in NSW where the migratory wedge-tailed shearwater nests and a great vantage point for whale watching in season. It is also an important Aboriginal place, harbouring stories of the Dreaming and a wealth of traditional resources. It's a great place to take a short walk, and the unforgettable views will be well worth your effort. The best way to find out more about the Aboriginal stories of Muttonbird is on an award-winning guided Muttonbirds by Moonlight tour conducted by local Gumbaynggirr rangers. If the guided tour is not available you can always download the Island sanctuary audio tour in our NPWS app and walk take a stroll with Matt Flanders sharing the culture and history of the island via your headphones. You can also take a virtual tour of Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve captured with Google Street View Trekker.