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Bushfire Smart
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Discovery Bay Coastal Park is a majestic 50 km sweep of ocean beach, huge dunes, Aboriginal middens and coastal lakes.
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Things to Do
- Attractions include freshwater lakes, massive dune systems, magnificent coastal cliffs, volcanic features and sweeping ocean beaches.
- Outstanding features of Discovery Bay Coastal Park at Cape Bridgewater include a seal colony, blowholes, the "petrified forest" and the highest coastal cliffs in Victoria, 130 metres above sea level.
- The Bridgewater Lakes within the Park, 16 km west of Portland, are popular for picnics, swimming, boating, water skiing and surf-fishing.
- Other activities include surfing, scenic driving, walking (The Great South West Walk passes through Discovery Bay Coastal Park) and camping at Swan Lake and Lake Monibeong.
- Ocean beaches are near Nelson, Lake Monibeong and Bridgewater Bay.
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Facilities
Facilities provided in the park include picnic tables, barbecues and fireplaces, toilets, boat ramps and camping areas.
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Heritage
Discovery Bay was named by Lieutenant Grant in 1800 during a voyage along the south-western coast of what is now Victoria.
The first Europeans to traverse the Discovery Bay area were Stephen and Edward Henty who set out west from Merino Downs (near Portland) in June 1839 and discovered Mount Gambier. Three schooners that worked the coastal routes were wrecked along the Discovery Bay coast from the mid to late 1800s. Many lives were lost from the two 1860s wrecks. Aboriginal Traditional Owners Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria
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Fauna
Discovery Bay Coastal Park is excellent for visitors interested in observing bird life along the vast stretches of sandy beach. The Park is an important habitat for the endangered Hooded Plover and many other waders migrating from overseas. When walking above the high tide line, please watch for eggs, as nests can be found in very exposed locations on the beach, especially between August and February. Take care also not to disturb birds as they are very easily scared away from their nesting sites.
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Vegetation
Discovery Bay Coastal Park consists mainly of low vegetation. The main plant species found within the Park include Coast Wattle, Coast Beard-heath, correa and Pink and Yellow Flowering Yellow Gum. There are also reeds, bulrushes and sedges.
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Looking After the Park
- Take your rubbish with you.
- Camping is by permit only and bookings are required.
- Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the park.
- Firearms are prohibited.
- Light fires only in fireplaces provided. No fires, including barbecues, may be lit on days of Total Fire Ban.
- All plants and animals are protected.
- Please keep to tracks.
- Dune buggying is allowed under strictly controlled conditions at Swan Lake.
- Leave the park as you find it.
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Precautions
- Discovery Bay Coastal Park can be a friendly or quite hostile place, so come prepared for fluctuations in weather.
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How to Get There
Access to Discovery Bay Coastal Park is off the Portland - Nelson Road in south-west Victoria.
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Special Needs Access
Glenelg River Estuary
Access to the beach is available bitumen access path. The second car parking area, on a headland overlooking the estuary and Glenelg River mouth, offers views of the estuary. There is a nature trail including a boardwalk, but some sections of the trail are very steep. Lake Monibeong
The grassy lakeside camping area at Lake Monibeong has picnic tables on concrete slabs, and fireplaces. There is a small jetty at the water's edge. The area is generally free of obstacles, but the facilities lack design features for enhancing accessibility. The toilets are standard male and female facilities.
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Nearby Parks
- Cape Nelson State Park
- Crawford River Regional Park
- Lower Glenelg National Park
- Mount Richmond National Park
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Guided Activities
1. Abseiling (C1)
2. Bicycle Touring (K1)
3. Bushwalking (A2)
4. Canoeing / Kayaking (B3)
5. Coach/Bus Tours (J1)
6. Coastal Walking (A4)
7. Fishing / Angling (G1)
8. Four Wheel Drive Tours (J2)
9. Mountain Bike Riding (K2)
10. Spotlight Tours / Nightwalks (A3)
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Special Places
1. Bridgewater Lakes
2. Lake Monibeong
3. Swan Lake
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Publications
Links to other websites 1.
Great Ocean Road
Brochures 1.
Four Wheel Driving in Victoria’s Parks
2.
Horse Riding in Victoria’s Parks
3.
Water Activities in Victoria’s Parks
4.
A new guide to Victoria's Parks: Parks Discovery
Park Notes / Maps 1.
Lower Glenelg National Park & Discovery Bay Coastal Park
2.
Discovery Bay Marine National Park
Management Plans & Strategies 1.
Discovery Bay Parks Management Plan (2.16MB)
Books & DVDs 1.
Victoria's National Parks
2.
Melbourne's Great Outdoors
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