Page 16 - Heritage A5 compile

writers of the popular ABC radio drama ‘Moonlight over the Estuary’
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set the series on Coochiemudlo Island. Many artists such as
painters, jewellers, vine weavers, writers, photographers and potters
continue to live and work on the Island.

Today people visit the Emerald Fringe for many reasons: bird
watching (BirdLife Australia’s birdata web portal lists 151 bird
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species on Coochiemudlo ); fishing, sailing, kayaking/paddling,
crabbing, bush walking; botanising, art and cycling. Recreation clubs,
tour groups, school groups, sports groups, art groups and disability
organisations and golfers are regular visitors. Families come for the
birds, safe swimming, Ramsar Wetlands, history, fishing and beach
culture. Tourist advertising typically emphasise these activities and
the island’s tranquillity and connection with Flinders (see attachment
15). The establishment in 2015 of pontoon jetties with ramps and
lighting on both Victoria Point and Coochiemudlo Island has made
travel easier for both residents and tourists, so tourism, especially
ecotourism, with a strong focus on the Emerald Fringe, continues to
be important to the island. Each year there are increasing numbers
of tour groups visiting the island for bird watching, painting, exercise,
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historical or adventure trips.

http://newtownreviewofbooks.com.au/2013/01/25/the-godfather-peter-corris-
on-all-his-houses/ (accessed 1 July 2017).
47 Recording held in the Coochiemudlo Island Heritage Society collection,
courtesy Peter Wear; Stewart, pp112-115.
48 http://birdata.birdlife.org.au/explore#map=-
27.5704069_153.3297650_16&visible_on_map=true (accessed 3 July 2017)
49 The Coochiemudlo Island Heritage Society provides guides for some of the
bus groups visiting the island and reports that each year there has been an
increase in the number of bus tour groups.