New Zealand and Australian Fur Seals, win Tourism Award

Montague Island Conservation Tours, won the ‘eco-tourism’ category for the third consecutive year, making it
eligible to enter the tourism industry ‘Hall of Fame’.

Montague Island is located five nautical miles off the NSW far south coast township of Narooma
and is home to 2,000 New Zealand and Australian Fur Seals, 8,000 Little Penguins and thousands
of other seabirds as well as an historic lighthouse and keepers lodge.

Montague Island Tours are an exceptional example of responsible travel, meeting the needs of
people who want to experience nature while knowing their presence will help the conservation of
this special place.

NPWS head, Sally Barnes, said today the win was a great acknowledgement of a very successful
joint program.

“Montague Island Conservation Tours began as a way of allowing people to stay overnight on a
sensitive nature reserve and contribute to the environment by undertaking certain conservation
and wildlife research activities.

“Booked through Conservation Volunteers Australia, visitors can pay to stay for three days and
two nights during which they would be engaged in activities such as weeding, tree planting or
assisting in certain research activities under close supervision of a NPWS guide.

“Montague Island is undeniably a special place and the conservation tours are proving extremely
popular because it’s such an intense experience for small groups of people where you get to
make a difference through your presence and your efforts,” Ms Barnes said.

CVA Chief Executive Officer, Colin Jackson OAM, said today that the experience for visitors is
always a fantastic one. “There is so much packed into 80 hectares, and few people get to travel
to islands like this, brimming with wildlife and history, both Aboriginal and European.

“Since we started this we have recorded 100% satisfaction among those who have taken the
overnight package. We are already getting repeat visitors that are booking twelve months in
advance so they can continue to be connected to the work they have contributed to.”

“The package is advanced ecotourism certified and the net gain for the island is obvious; funds
are raised for further conservation work on the island, and people pay to become volunteers
while getting to experience a fantastic place with very knowledgeable and experienced NPWS
staff for the duration of their stay.

“Because Montague Island Conservation Tours are run with groups no larger than 12 it’s that
exclusivity and sense of real space and solitude that makes it so special.

“And we know this from the comments we have received from visitors. Here are a few:

“Being able to contribute to the conservation of this national icon was a highlight. Thank you so
much for providing the public with such a unique experience.” D. Bridgett

“Breathtaking wild beauty, perfect weather, excellent company, delicious food and wine – Wow!
Thanks for having us in this treasure of a place. Sarah and Geoff Cains, Victoria

Conservation Volunteers proudly applies the principles of ecologically sustainability tourism as
endorsed by Ecotourism Australia. We offer Advanced Ecotourism Certified conservation holidays
in spectacular natural environments of Australia.

Visit www.naturewise.com.au and www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

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