Jungarra Ngarrian
A collaboration to protect the flora, fauna and cultural story of Cook Island Aquatic Reserve — bringing together Traditional Descendants, community volunteers, and conservation partners.
600m off Fingal Head, Tweed Coast
Bundjalung & Yugambeh Country
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Ceremony Place
of the Birds
"Jungurra Ngarrian is part of our story. It is the Ceremony Place of the birds."
— Kyle Slabb, Traditional Descendant
Jungarra Ngarrian — known widely as Cook Island — is an iconic landmark to the Tweed Coast that resonates as a place of significance to locals, sea goers, and Traditional Descendants of the region.
Formed by ancient lava flows and rising 24.8 metres above sea level, the island sits just 600 metres off the shore of Fingal Head. It is a protected Aquatic Reserve and one of the most biodiverse marine sites on the NSW coast.
The island is a safe haven for threatened migratory seabirds, and supports two reptile species and 25 plant species within its boundaries.
An ancient place of significance
600M
Offshore from Fingal Heads
25
Plant Species
24.8m
Above sea level
2
Reptile Species
THE PROJECT
Conservation and culture, together
The Jungarra Ngarrian Conservation Project is a collaboration aimed at the preservation and protection of flora and fauna within the Aquatic Reserve, alongside the cultural empowerment of Traditional Descendants.
It incorporates both practical conservation work and the preservation of culture and story. By working together, partners are addressing gaps in knowledge, deepening connections to Sea Country, and upskilling youth to participate in the strengthened management and protection of the reserve.
The project aims to create opportunities that continue the legacy of Caring for Sea Country.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Traditional Descendants
Broader community
NSW Dept of Primary Industries Aquatic Reserve
Kirra Dive on the Tweed
The project has six core objectives, spanning cultural recognition, community capacity building, and ecological data collection.
Project Objectives
1. Acknowledge Jungarra Ngarrian as culturally and ecologically significant.
2. Support the cultural preservation of stories, history and traditional culture surrounding Sea Country.
3. Build the capacity of the local community to participate in conservation activities at Jungarra Ngarrian.
4. Continue work with key stakeholders, including NSW Department of Primary Industries, for the best possible cultural and conservation outcomes.
5. Collect baseline information on species at Jungarra Ngarrian to assist in strengthened marine estate management and future considerations.
6. Broaden community knowledge and understanding about the ecological significance of species at Jungarra Ngarrian.
"People ask: Why should I care about the ocean? Because the ocean is the cornerstone of earth's life support system — it shapes climate and weather. It holds most of life on earth. 97% of earth's water is there. It's the blue heart of the planet. We should take care of our heart."
— Sylvia Earle, Marine Biologist
See The Project in Action
Supported by
The Jungarra Ngarrian Conservation Project is made possible through the support of our partners
Join us on our projects
Our monthly turtle count surveys take place at Cook Island Aquatic Reserve year-round. If you'd like to participate in the Jungarra Ngarrian Conservation Project, email us to find out more.