More than 58,000 hectares of ocean surrounding 265 low-lying islands and islets that are fringed by coral reefs populated with colourful tropical fish.
The Montebello Islands Marine Park, with its natural land and seascapes, barrier and fringing coral reefs, wide variety of wildlife and rich maritime heritage, appeals to divers, snorkellers, fishers and sea kayakers.
Camping
Visitors may only camp on Primrose, Bluebell, Crocus, Hermite and Renewal Islands throughout the year, and on Northwest Island from April-September (due to turtle nesting/hatching season from October–March). Camping should be restricted to 100m inland of the high-water mark, and for no longer than five consecutive nights. Select a site that has been used before, and take a portable fuel stove (not heat beads) as open fires are not permitted.
Bring your own
Park visitors must take adequate fuel, water, food and first aid supplies as no services or facilities are available.
Drop a line
Visitors can fish in most parts of the marine park but, to protect marine biodiversity, there are restrictions on certain types of fishing activities in different areas so please download the park brochure and ‘know your zones’. For bag, size and possession limits see fish.wa.gov.au.
Explosive history
Three British atomic weapons tests were carried out at the Montebello Islands in 1952 and 1956. Concrete bunkers, monitoring stations, roads and scrap metal can still be found on some islands, and the former military operational headquarters can still be seen on the southern end of Hermite Island.
Playing safe
As slightly elevated radiation levels still occur at test sites on Trimouille and Alpha Islands, visitors should limit visits to one hour per day. Do not disturb the soil and do not handle or remove relics associated with the tests.
The Montebello Islands Marine Park is offshore and relatively remote. Navigation to the islands should only be attempted in favourable weather conditions and in suitably sized and equipped vessels. Visitors are urged to be vigilant for cyclone warnings, especially from November to April.
Please refer to the Management Plan for the Montebello/Barrow Islands Marine Conservation Reserves in the Downloads & Resources tab for further information on permitted activities.
Marine Parks App
Please refer to the Montebello Islands Marine Park brochure and Management Plan for the Montebello/Barrow Islands Marine Conservation Reserves in the Downloads & Resources tab for further information on permitted activities. Information on the Montebello Islands Marine Park can also be accessed on Apple and Android smartphones by downloading the “Explore Marine Parks WA” smartphone App available through iTunes and Google Play.
Available to download FREE for Google Play now on the Google Play and Apple iTunes stores.
This information was provided by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions: dpaw.wa.gov.au