All About Of Menai Island – Which Will Help You To Travel

Menai is a small island located in the greater Sydney area, and it is often recognised for its natural beauty. With forested hills, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear water, Menai Island is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

The island has a rich history that includes its connection to the legendary Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon Schouten. Today, Menai Island is home to a variety of businesses and industries, including wineries, fishing villages, and tourism. This guide provides an overview of Menai Island’s history, culture, and attractions.

All Discussion Of Menai Island

History

Menai Island was first settled by the Cadigal clan in the early 17th century. The island’s connection to Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon Schouten is legendary. In 1609, Schouten sailed past Menai on his way to find a new route to the East Indies.

After sighting the island, he named it after one of his friends and told locals that he had discovered a land of ‘Manie’ which was a reference to the island. The Dutch settlement at Menai did not take place until 1712, however it is believed that their presence may have been felt as early as 1617 when European travellers from France and England were visiting Schouten’s village on Sydney Harbour.

Climate

Menai Island has a temperate climate with moderate temperatures year-round. The island experiences drier periods in the winter and wetter conditions in the summer. In terms of rainfall, Menai typically receives around 650 millimetres per year.

The history of Menai Island is very well documented and there are a number of tourist attractions on offer that focus on this aspect of the island’s past such as the Schouten House Museum and Lock lair House. Tourism is one of the main industries on Menai Island.

There are currently nine wineries and vineyards located in the island’s wine region, including a number that focus specifically on Menai Winery history with their branding being inspired by Schouten’s ship De Goude Kroon (The Golden Crown).

Culture

Menai Island is home to a number of cultural traditions that are unique to the island. Some of these include Menai Dance which is descended from traditional ceremonial dances performed by the Dano-Norwegian Viking settlers in the 13th century, and Moken drumming which is believed to have originated on Menai in the 17th century.

Menai is also known as the home of a unique type of English. This language was first introduced by former inhabitants and workers on the island for which uses has become extinct since these people have moved away from Menai Island; however, some learners remain today who are paying tribute to this heritage through their dialect’s usage.

Politics

The local government of Menai Island is made up of a Mayor and seven Council Members. The Mayor is elected by the residents and council members are elected by wards. Elections take place every four years with the next polls scheduled for 2020.

The Menai Island Council is governed by the “Local Government (Municipal Corporations) Act” of 1995. Governor Sir Peter Cosgrove, who was a former mayor of Menai township and local councillor on the island’s council holds influence in governance through his position as Premier of Queensland and being appointed President of Australia in 2015.

Government services

 

The Menai Island Council is responsible for a number of local services including road maintenance, water supply, the police service and waste management. The island also has its own hospital which is operated by the state government.

The island is also sometimes referred to as, “Mini Australia” because of its location off the southern coast of Queensland and adjacent islands that have a similar heritage. Many tourists come to Menai Island hoping to see Moken village (a community on nearby Lady Elliot Island), visit historical sites such as Mary MacKillop’s Convent School or enjoy scuba diving tours.

Tourism

Tourism is a large industry on Menai Island with many visitors coming to enjoy the island’s natural and historical attractions. Attractions that are popular with tourists include Moken village, Lady Elliot Island, Mary MacKillop’s Convent School, scuba diving tours and beaches.

The island generates around $10 million in tourist income each year which contributes significantly to the local economy. The Menai village mermaid, who after her death was reburied wearing a burkini.

Transport

The Menai Island Council operates a number of buses that are used to transport passengers around the island. The island also has a regular ferry service which connects it with Lady Elliot Island and mainland Queensland. There is a specialist helipad located on island for visitors who are only hoping to see the Island’s natural beauty.

The Aerodrome (as seen here) was used as an airforce base during World War II and now hosts passenger flights operated by Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, operating into Brisbane Airport highlighting its tourism economy.

Cuisine

Menai Island is home to a number of restaurants that serve traditional Australian cuisine. Some of the most popular restaurants on the island include The Flying Fish, Turtle Beach Resort Restaurant and Brews at The Boathouse Alehouse.

Commissioned in 1962, the Menai Bridge was first built to connect both island’s of Lady Elliot Island and Menai Village. It provides a roadway across Cook Strait enabling commuters from New Zealand and Australia to share this limited sea crossing route relatively easily.

Wildlife

Menai is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including koalas and kangaroos. The island is also popular with birdwatchers, who can see species such as the black-necked stilt and Australasian bittern. The island is home to three national parks and two marine reserves, encompassing almost 10% of the islands coastline.

The island is also surrounded by a marine reserve that protects the endangered bogan rock oyster. Two sites on the island were listed in UNESCOs World Heritage Site list – Menai Strait and Lady Elliot Island. A world heritage site which was nominated as ‘one of ten natural wonders of Australia’.

Conclusion

Menai is a small island located in the Bay of Bengal, off the western coast of India. The name Menai derives from the Tamil words meen and ayyaru, which mean ‘Island of the Monkeys’. The island is also known as Giri Tiruvila, the ‘Tripod Island’, because of the three peaks on its eastern coast that resemble a tripod.

FAQ

1.Is Menai Island In Delhi?

Ans: No, Menai is located approximately 140 kilometres to the south of the national capital. It is situated in Port Jackson, Sydney.

2.Is Menai Island In Kolkata?

Ans: No, it lies off the eastern coast of India. It is located roughly 7 km from Saturday Point National Park and 8 km from Gomukh, an active caldera lake.

3.Where Is Menai Island Near Chennai?

Ans: Menai Island lies around 20 km from Guindy National Park, which is an ecologically diverse and active caldera lake. Is there a Menai airport? No, it has no airport on the island.

4.How Do I Reach Menai From Chennai By Train?

Ans: There is no direct train service between Chennai and Menai. The closest railhead is at Kilpauk, which lies around 25 kilometres from Menai Island.

5.How Do I Reach Karuval In Venad By Bus?

Ans: Karur Vysya has two buses every day from Thiruvananthapuram to Surathkal (12 km). Every morning one route goes via the Kuttikkanam Bridge to Vadakkankulam then to Surathkal while the return bus goes via Kuttikkanam Bridge back to Thiruvananthapuram.