The next time you’re travelling along the Great Ocean Road, take a moment to visit Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Nestled between the coastal towns of Warrnambool and Port Fairy, just over three hours away from Melbourne, this fascinating natural wonder is filled with history, wildlife and hiking opportunities. The area was declared as Victoria’s first ever National Park in 1892, and the reserve sits inside the crater of a volcano that formed around 30,000 years ago. And spring is a fabulous time to go, as the magnificent landscape blooms with wildflowers and adorable baby animals, such as kangaroo joeys and fluffy emu chicks. Take a stroll across wetlands, craters and bushland, and pack a picnic to enjoy while you’re there. The wildlife reserve is free to visit, and open every day.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
This area is one of the most significant geological formations in Victoria. It was formed when magma came into contact with a layer of water-bearing rock, triggering violent explosions and leaving the crater that you see today. The rim is 11km long, and the crater is 3.2km wide. Around Tower Hill, you’ll see lakes, and conical hills rising from the water, looking like little islands. The land was inhabited for thousands of years by the Gunditjmara People.
Once filled with an abundance of native vegetation, the reserve was cleared for grazing purposes in the 19th century. In the 1960s, volunteers replanted native trees and plants in an attempt to restore Tower Hill to its natural splendour, using an 1800s painting from Eugene von Guerard as a reference. Today, it’s flourishing with over 300, 000 trees. You can take in the view of this awe-inspiring landscape from one of three lookouts around the crater rim.
Wildlife
With over 200 kangaroos and koalas, you’ll find an abundance of native wildlife here. Many of them can be found within easy reach of the visitor car park, so you won’t have to search very far. You’ll also find emus, wallabies, echidnas, sugar gliders and possums. With nesting boxes and a birdhide, birdwatchers will have plenty to see, such as blue wrens, spoonbills, swans and even wedge-tailed eagles.
Spring is a sweet time to stop by, as you might spot kangaroo joeys, or little emu, swan and duck chicks. Just remember to keep a healthy distance, and avoid feeding or touching the animals.
Things to do around Tower Hill
There’s a few different trails for you to try, taking you across wetlands and scenic bushland. Find easy to moderate walks, with gentle loops, flat boardwalks and steep hills that lead to panoramic views. The Lava Tongue Boardwalk, for example, is a family-friendly, 1.6km long circuit. It will take you through wetland reeds and across the most recent flow of lava. Meanwhile, the Journey to the Last Volcano Loop will take you around the peaks and cones of this dormant volcano, in a moderately strenuous, one hour circuit.
Look out for splashes of colour from local wildflowers in spring, such as clovers, wood forget-me-nots and ivy-leaved violets. You’ll also find the bright hues of wattle trees.
Stay out a little longer and enjoy a picnic at Tower Hill. There is a picnic area, complete with tables, electric barbecues and toilets. However, there aren’t any drinking water taps available, so be sure to bring a bottle with you. There aren’t any bins either, so remember to take your rubbish home.
Please note that the Visitor Centre is currently closed.
What else can you do?
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is just a 20 minute drive away from Warrnambool and Port Fairy. Stay overnight in one of these lovely towns, go whale watching and discover picturesque beaches. For even more dormant volcanoes, travel further west to explore Budj Bim National Park. If you’re taking the scenic route along the Great Ocean Road, find even more animals at Wildlife Wonders in Apollo Bay, and look out for koalas in Kennett River.
