Cabbage Tree Island

Cabbage Tree Island, also known as the John Gould Nature Reserve, is a protected 30-hectare island located 1.4 km off the mouth of Port Stephens in New South Wales. Rising abruptly to a height of 123 meters, the island is characterized by rugged terrain and diverse vegetation, including cabbage-tree palms, deciduous and sandpaper figs, native plums, and bird-lime trees. It serves as the principal breeding site for the threatened Gould's petrel, with the nearby Boondelbah Island also hosting a small colony. Both islands are classified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area. Access is restricted to scientific and conservation purposes to protect the island's unique ecosystem.