Mud Islands

 island, nature conservation park / area

The Mud Islands reserve 38°16′S 144°46′E / -38.267, 144.767 is located within Port Phillip Bay, about 90 km south-west of Melbourne, Australia, lying 10 km inside Port Phillip Heads, 7 km north of Portsea and 9 km east of Queenscliff. The land area of about 50 ha. is made up of three, low-lying islands surrounding a shallow tidal 35 ha. lagoon connected to the sea by two, sometimes three, narrow channels. The shapes and configuration of the islands change over the years due to movement of sand by tidal currents.
In 1961, the area of the islands above high water was proclaimed a permanent reserve for the management of wildlife. The area is listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance and is also included on the Register of the National Estate. Since 2002 it has been, with the adjacent waters, part of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park.
The islands can only be reached by boat, the most convenient departure points being Queenscliff or Sorrento. Day visitors are permitted, but overnight camping is not. There are no regular tours to Mud Islands. As the islands are surrounded by shallow waters, visitors need to be cautious when attempting a landing. Passengers must be ferried to shore by dinghy or else wade in. Visits need careful planning to avoid the boat being stranded at low tide.
The polygoon shows where are the two canals in the northern and southern part of the reserve, and sometimes at the northwest-side.