Montgomery Reef
Montgomery Reef is a reef off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia. It is situated at the south western end of Camden Sound and surrounds the Yawajaba (Montgomery) Islands.
It is approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) off shore, opposite Doubtful Bay to the east and Collier Bay to the south.[1] The nearest populated place is Bardi, which is approximately 130 kilometres (81 mi) to the south west.[2]
It has a total area of 400 square kilometres (154 sq mi)[3] making it Australia's largest inshore reef; its length is about 80 kilometres (50 mi).
Montgomery reef has an unusual wide tidal range, up to 10 metres (33 ft). When the tide is out, vast lagoons, sandstone islets, and a central mangrove island are revealed. The outward movement of the tide forms a torrent of water, creating a river cutting through the reef and hundreds of cascading waterfalls. At low tide, more than 4 metres (13 ft) of reef can be exposed.
While the tide is going out, the waterfalls attract migratory wading birds, feeding turtles, manta rays, black tipped reef sharks, and dugongs. The area is a popular tourist site and has several cruise operators visiting daily.[4]
The reef and island were named by Philip Parker King, the first European to sight the island, aboard the Mermaid, while exploring the area in 1818. King named the island after the ship's surgeon, Andrew Montgomery.[5]
References
- ↑ "The Kimberley Coast - Montgomery Reef". 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ↑ "Bonzle Encyclopedia - Montgomery Islands". 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ↑ "Cruiseaway - Kimberley Cruises". 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ↑ "Kimberley Cruises". 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-25.
- ↑ "Australia for Everyone - Kimberley wonders". 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
Coordinates: 15°59′36″S 124°14′23″E / 15.99333°S 124.23972°E