Lighthouse and penguins

Montague Island, off the coast of Narooma, New South Wales, Australia, has a historic lighthouse and a nature reserve which seals and seabirds, including little penguins, call home.

On a one-night tour of the island, visitors stay in the lightkeeper’s quarters and can opt to assist in a seabird and penguin research project. The price includes boat transport from Narooma; meals; a night in the guest house; a tour of the lighthouse and museum, and wildlife viewing with a naturalist — Aus$415 per person, twin, or Aus$475 single (US$341/US$391) during peak season and Aus$370 ppt or $430 single (US$304-$354) off peak, May 1-Aug. 31.

From September to May, you can view the penguins coming ashore in the evening. In June-July and October-November, the island is a good place to view migrating right whales.

Contact Conservation Volunteers Australia (18/142 Addison Rd., Marrickville, NSW 2204, Australia; phone [03] 5330 2600).