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Bushfire Smart
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Covering an area of 154 hectares, Gabo Island is 500 metres off the wilderness coast of Croajingalong National Park in Bass Strait.
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Things to Do
- Walk over the pink granite and see where the slabs to build the lighthouse residence were cut from the rocks.
- Arrange with the caretaker to inspect the light tower and enjoy the spectacular views.
- Watch the penguins make their way to the shore after dark.
- Keep a look out for passing whales, dolphins and seals.
- Take a picnic lunch and walk around the island, taking in the ruins, the radar station, the monument to the ship 'Monumental City' and the old cemetery.
- Visit the beautiful sandy beach at Santa Barbara Bay and go fishing, swimming or snorkelling.
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Facilities
- Accommodation on Gabo Island is in the assistant lightkeeper's residence which has three bedrooms and can accommodate eight people. All linen is provided. There is a fully equipped kitchen, a laundry and bathroom.
- All provisions need to be taken to the island. Keep in mind the weight limitation if travelling by air.
- The nearest township is Mallacoota, which has shopping facilities, a medical centre and ambulance.
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Heritage
| DID YOU KNOW? | | The 47 metre high Gabo Island Lighthouse is the second tallest lighthouse in Australia and is made of red granite quarried on the island. The red porphyritic granite was used in a number of prominent 19th century Melbourne buildings such as the Immigration Museum and the Melbourne General Post Office (GPO). | Shipwrecks prompted the construction of Gabo Island Lightstation which was completed in 1862. One of the worst wrecks was Monumental City, on nearby Tullaberga Island, with the loss of 30 lives in 1853. A memorial to those lost still exists on Gabo Island. The light tower is constructed from pink granite which was cut locally and is one of the tallest and most elegant light towers in Australia.
Aboriginal Traditional Owners
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, the Bidawal and Nindi-Ngudjam Ngarigu Monero identify Gabo Island as their Traditional Country.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria .
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Fauna
The island supports highly significant colonies of seabirds, such as shearwaters and the world's largest known colony of Little Penguins. Birds of prey also regularly visit the island from the mainland and many other sea birds can be sighted out to sea depending on the time of year. Seals are often seen in a 'raft' off the point from the Light tower. Whales can be sighted as they migrate along the coastline during September and October.
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Vegetation
Vegetation on Gabo Island Lightstation Reserve is stunted due to being salt-pruned and windswept from the harsh weather conditions. Trees include tea-tree and banksia. Tussock grass in amongst the granite boulders provide nesting habitat for Little Penguins and shearwaters.
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Looking After the Park
- All native plants, animals, cultural and historic sites and natural features are protected.
- Take your rubbish with you and recycle.
- Pets are not permitted on the island. Firearms, including spearguns, are not permitted on the island.
- Fires are permitted only in the fireplaces provided. No fires, including barbecues, may be lit on days of Total Fire Ban.
- Leave the reserve as you find it.
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How to Get There
The island is 13 km from Mallacoota in far East Gippsland. Mallacoota is just off the Princes Highway, midway between Melbourne and Sydney. Access to the island is by air or sea from Mallacoota and is weather dependent.
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Nearby Parks
- Alfred National Park
- Cape Conran Coastal Park
- Coopracambra National Park
- Croajingalong National Park
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Guided Activities
1. Bushwalking (A2)
2. Fishing / Angling (G1)
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Special Places
1. Gabo Island
2. Gabo Island Lighthouse
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Publications
Brochures 1.
A new guide to Victoria's Parks: Parks Discovery
Park Notes / Maps 1.
Gabo Island Light Station Reserve
Books & DVDs 1.
Victoria's National Parks
2.
Melbourne's Great Outdoors
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