TELLBY
English

Gough Island

Tristan da Cunha

8 story sections11 min 17 s in all
History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation1:31

    Welcome to Gough Island, one of the most remote and enigmatic places on Earth. Located deep in the South Atlantic Ocean, over 1,500 kilometers from the nearest mainland, this rugged volcanic outcrop is a sanctuary for nature in…

    Listen in the app
  2. 2The Great Cliffs — Sentinels of the South Atlantic1:24

    Approaching Gough Island by sea, the first thing you encounter are the great sheer cliffs that guard its shores. Shaped by wind and waves over millennia, these volcanic rock formations rise dramatically from the ocean, standing…

    Listen in the app
  3. 3The Albatross Sanctuary — A Tragic Beauty1:25

    Gough Island is the primary breeding ground for the Tristan Albatross, a majestic bird with an impressive wingspan that spends most of its life soaring over the open ocean. These birds return to the Island's high plateaus to…

    Listen in the app
  4. 4The Meteorological Station — Life at the Base1:26

    The only human presence on Gough is at the South African Meteorological Station, located in Transvaal Cove. This small cluster of white buildings houses a team of scientists and support staff who typically reside on the island…

    Listen in the app
  5. 5The Kelp Forests — An Underwater Jungle1:22

    Beneath the crashing waves of Gough Island lies a vibrant and pristine underwater world. The shallow waters are dominated by giant kelp forests, with towers of seaweed rising as high as 30 meters from the ocean floor. …

    Listen in the app
  6. 6Rockhopper Penguins and Fur Seals1:28

    Gough Island's rocky shores are teeming with life, most notably the Northern Rockhopper Penguin and the Subantarctic Fur Seal. The penguins are easily recognized by their distinctive yellow crests and their humorous, waddling…

    Listen in the app
  7. 7The Volcanic Interior — Edinburgh Peak1:25

    The interior of Gough Island is a rugged, volcanic landscape dominated by high peaks and boggy plains. Edinburgh Peak, the highest point, rises to nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, offering stunning vistas of the endless expanse…

    Listen in the app
  8. 8Closing1:16

    Our journey to Gough Island concludes as the sun sets behind its volcanic peaks, casting long shadows over the Roaring Forties. We have witnessed a place of extreme isolation and incredible biological wealth. …

    Listen in the app

What is Gough Island?

Gough Island is a place in Tristan da Cunha with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationTristan da Cunha
TypeHeritage
Story sections8
Total length11 min 17 s in all
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates-40.3200, -9.9400
Last updated
Listen in the app