Traveller safety information

There are five self-guided walks at Tower Hill, each with a different theme.

• Peak Climb (orientation and geology - 30 mins, steep)
• Lava Tongue Boardwalk (wetlands - 30 mins, easy)
• Hat Island Habitat Track (revegetation - 45 mins, easy)
• Whurrong Walk (Aboriginal foods - 1 hour, easy)
• Journey to the Last Volcano (geology - 1 hour, moderate)

All walks start from the picnic area, except for the Whurrong walk, which begins near the bird hide. Additional tracks can be used to link several of the above walks.

The Centre is open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm, and weekends and public holidays 10.00am to 4.00pm.
www.worngundidj.org.au

• A bird hide enables you to have a closer encounter with wildlife.
• Barbecues, picnic tables and toilets are provided.
• All coach tours and school groups must be pre-booked by contacting the ranger on (03) 5565 9202.

Artefacts found in the volcanic ash layers show that Aborigines were living in the area at the time of the eruption. The Warrnambool area was a rich source of foods for the Koroitgundidj people, whose descendants retain special links with this country.

The first confirmed sighting of Tower Hill by Europeans was by French explorers sailing with Captain Baudin aboard the Geographe in 1802.

Tower Hill was declared Victoria's first National Park in 1892, in an attempt to halt the decline of the once majestic volcano. However, grazing, crop growing, quarrying and rubbish dumping continued and took their toll. By the 1950s the hills and islands were bare and little wildlife remained. Tower Hill was declared a State Game Reserve in 1961.

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

With the invaluable assistance of many volunteer groups more than 300,000 trees have been planted. The aim of the restoration program is now to re-introduce indigenous understorey plants including ferns and grasses.

• Take your rubbish with you
• Gas and electric barbecues are provided. Open air fires are not permitted.
• All vehicles must be fully road registered and must stay on roads open to public vehicles.
• Firearms are prohibited.
• Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the reserve.
• Native plants and animals are protected.
• Leave the reserve as you find it.

Tower Hill Picnic Area
Tower Hill Picnic Area has many tables and a picnic shelter, and is well situated for accessibility. There is no unisex toilet meeting access standards, but two of the picnic tables are generally accessible for wheelchair users.

Boardwalk and Birdhide
At Tower Hill, access to the boardwalk is restricted by the track leading to it, which is narrow, poorly defined and made of gravel. Both the boardwalk and the hide have a good level of access generally, but have some limitations.

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