Bullock Island, South Gippsland
Protecting one of Australia’s most remarkable coastal ecosystems – forever.
A major win for our coastal saltmarshes
In August 2025, Nooramunga Land & Sea (NL&S) – a collaboration of botanists, philanthropists, carbon landscape experts and researchers – secured its second island off the coast of South Gippsland.
Bullock Island lies within Corner Inlet, a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, and is home to some of Victoria’s finest examples of coastal saltmarsh.
For decades, the 72-hectare island was zoned for farming, putting its sensitive habitats at risk and vulnerable to damage from introduced species and recreational use. With funding from the Upotipotpon Foundation, NL&S was able to purchase the island, which is directly adjacent to NL&S’s first acquisition — the 60-hectare Little Dog Island.
Together, these islands now form 132 hectares of permanently protected habitat critical for biodiversity, carbon storage and climate resilience. This protection is guaranteed through Biodiversity Legacy’s purpose-built Local Landholding Entity governance structure and framework.
Stewardship Team
Restoration and long-term care of Bullock Island will be led by two of Victoria’s foremost botanists — Karl Just (Just Ecology) and Tim D’Ombrain (Biodiversity Service) — working alongside them is environmental investment expert Dr Steve Enticott (Carbon Landscapes), renowned conservationist Jim Phillipson (Rendere Environmental Trust) and ecological researcher, Kristin Monie.
The NL&S team will partner with Federation University researchers, Zoos Victoria, BirdLife Australia, regional Landcare groups, local volunteers and others to unlock the full ecological potential of these saltmarsh habitats.
A living coastal tapestry
Framed by Wilsons Promontory to the south and South Gippsland’s green hills to the north, Bullock Island is a living tapestry of Beaded and Shrubby Glassworts, Pigface, Austral Seablite, Swamp Paperbark, Austral Brooklime, Coastal Tea-tree, native grasses and White Mangrove — painting the landscape in greens, reds and golds throughout the year.
Shrubby Glasswort.
Beaded Glasswort.
Austral Seablite.
White mangroves.
Haven for endangered species
Corner Inlet is a crucial destination for migratory birds – supporting around 20% of Victoria’s entire wader population. Each year, countless shorebirds travel over 10,000 kilometres from breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere to rest and feed on the rich mudflats and saltmarshes of south-eastern Australia. Given their location, among a mosaic of estuarine islands, the islands offer an ideal breeding and resting sites for the:
- Critically Endangered: Far Eastern Curlew, Great Knot, Curlew Sandpiper
- Endangered: Lesser Sand Plover, Red Knot, Brittle Star
- Vulnerable: Hooded Plover, Australian Grayling, Swift Parrot
There is also hope the islands may once again host one of Australia’s rarest birds – the Orange-bellied Parrot – which migrates from Tasmania each year to feed on Victoria’s saltmarshes. NL&S is working with BirdLife Australia and Zoos Victoria to monitor the species and confirm its return.
Far Eastern Curlew.
Curlew Sandpiper
Orange-bellied Parrot – photo by David Cook.
Red Knot.
Defending the coast
Beyond their biodiversity value, Corner Inlet’s barrier islands provide vital ecosystem services by:
- buffering the coastline from storm surges
- improving water quality
- nurturing fish nurseries
Storing ‘blue carbon’ to help regulate the climate
Blue carbon ecosystems, like these saltmarshes, store carbon 30 to 50 times faster than terrestrial forests. Once trapped in the sediments, that carbon can remain locked away for millennia, making these habitats powerful natural climate allies.
Next steps
The NL&S team will conduct comprehensive surveys to gather more information on what species call these places home and consider what actions can be taken to further protect them.