Orpheus Island - Culture and History

The island was named by Lieutenant G. E. Richards in 1887 after the Orpheus, a British naval vessel wrecked off the coast of New Zealand in 1863.

The island, which is volcanic in origin, covers an area of 1300 hectares. In 1960 it was declared a national park. It is surrounded by excellent reefs and the vegetation and wildlife, particularly the birds, are of considerable scientific interest. Although small the island has natural vegetation ranging from grasslands through to tropical rainforest. The wildlife includes a number of varieties of snake as well as echidnas, orange-footed scrubfowl, yellow-bellied sunbirds, friar birds, ospreys, kites, reef herons and egrets.

The reefs around the island have been zoned 'A' (limited fishing only) and 'B' (look but don't touch) and the Parks service go to some trouble to ensure that visitors do not damage the coral in any way.