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How the Islands have Changed Shape
See also Satellite Imagery
of Mud Islands from Google Maps
Aerial View of Mud Islands
Seagrass Monitoring
Some of the Volunteers
Vegetation on Mud Islands
Mud Islands are Ecologically Invaluable
The Islands' Significance
Mud Islands are, contrary to their name, a lovely and an internationally unique group of 3 islands surrounding a shallow tidal lagoon in the great sands of southern Port Phillip Bay. They are approximately 9 km east of Queenscliff and 7 km northeast of Portsea.
Mud Islands have been recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a Ramsar “wetland of international importance” and have also been included on the Register of the National Estate.
The islands, lagoon and the 2500 metres squared surrounding the islands are protected as part of the new Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park managed by Parks Victoria.
They provide important habitat and feeding areas for migratory birds from as far away as Japan and Siberia, as well as local seashore and wader species.
The islands form an essential breeding area for colonies of Pelicans, Ibis, Terns, Cormorants, Royal Spoonbills, Storm-Petrels and Silver Gulls.
The seagrass meadows provide food, protection, breeding and nursery areas for a multitude of marine organisms and are extremely important to Port Phillip Bays’ ecological health.
The vegetation on the dunes, salt marshes, sandbanks and mud flats are similar to many other areas around the bay except for Australian Hollyhock, which is only found in a few small areas around Victoria.
About the Friends
Friends of Mud islands are a non-profit, volunteer group established in December 1992 to assist in the care, maintenance and preservation of the then Mud Islands State Wildlife Reserve.
Our aims are:
- To raise awareness of the importance and fragility of the Islands.
- To be a voice when proposals are made that may impact on the Islands.
- To monitor the ecological health of the Islands.
- To conduct activities to preserve the ecological values of the Islands.
Our Achievements
Invasive weed species are a threat to the islands’ ecology, wildlife and landscape values. We have successfully controlled the island’s Boxthorn, Mirror Bush, Tree Mallow , Kikuyu and Galenia and maintain an ongoing systematic search and control program for these weeds.
We have set up a Seagrass monitoring program and undertake snorkelling trips to examine the abundance of seagrasses in two locations.
We assist the Victorian Wader Study Group in maintaining the Caspian & Crested Tern nesting area on the islands. We regularly collect rubbish and members have been involved in investigating marine invertebrates, bird life, vegetation dynamics, ecology and visitor use of the islands.
To promote public awareness, interpretation signs have also been erected on the Islands and at the Annulus at Popes Eye to assist visitors.
Membership
Yearly single ($10) and family ($15) memberships are available. A Family membership includes 2 adults & all children under 19 years.
Activity Program
We have regular monthly activities on the Islands on a Sunday - February to November. Bookings for activities are essential. To go to the Islands we meet a charter boat at the Queenscliff harbour. We gather at 9:40am and return by 4:30pm to the low landing in the harbour. This is on the ferry side of the "bright orange" pilot boats, near the corner of Harbour St. and Larkin Parade. You need to bring food, drinks, personal gear and a sense of adventure for a great day out.
More about our activity program here...
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