Be Bushfire Smart

• The Bacchus Marsh district acquired world-wide fame last century as one of the earliest known occurrences of ancient glacial deposits and Werribee Gorge State Park is still a place where many interesting geological features can be seen. These point to a remarkably varied geological history.
• A variety of walking experiences is available in the park. A popular walk follows the Werribee River from Meikles Point picnic area. This walk gives visitors an impressive view of both the river and the cliff faces of the gorge. It leads to popular swimming holes, historic sites and other park features. The track is difficult in places and requires a reasonable degree of fitness.
• A longer day walk can be made by completing the Circuit Walk up the hill from Meikles Point Picnic Area and returning along the River Walk. Tracks are generally well marked but the degree of difficulty, length and time required for completion are not currently shown.

• Fireplaces, picnic tables and toilets are provided at the Meikles Point Picnic Area and the Quarry Picnic area.
• Note: Falcons Lookout is the only area in the park available for rock climbing.

Five hundred million years of geological history - from ancient folded sea-bed sediments through glacial material to relatively recent lava flows - have been revealed in the Gorge by the down cutting action of the Werribee River, accelerated in the past million years by the formation of the Port Phillip sunkland along the Rowsley Fault.

The name Werribee (originally spelt "Wearibi") is thought to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning either "swimming place" or "backbone", the latter perhaps referring to the river's snake like bends.

By the 1880s several geological surveys had been carried out in the Gorge, and its geological importance was appreciated.

In 1907, it was reserved under the Land Act as a public park and for the preservation of geological features. Walking tracks and shelter sheds were built and a caretaker appointed.

Prospecting and timber cutting occurred on a small scale during the 1930s depression and a water race was built in 1928 to carry water to Bacchus Marsh.

Over many years, field naturalists called for increased protection for the Gorge. It came under the National Parks Service management as 'Werribee Gorge State Park' in 1975 as a result of a Land Conservation Council recommendation. The park has since been enlarged by the purchase of adjoining freehold land.

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

Echidnas, koalas, Swamp Wallabies and Eastern Grey Kangaroos are some of the Park's mammals. Lucky visitors may even see a Platypus swimming in one of the deep river holes.

Bird Life is prolific, two notable species being the mighty Wedge-tailed Eagle and the splendid Peregrine Falcon.

As a result of its ruggedness and steep slopes and also because it has been reserved for public use since 1907, the Werribee Gorge area has remained in a relatively natural state. This makes it vitally important for the preservation of native flora and fauna, since most of the surrounding land has been cleared and farmed for many years.

Trees include Red Ironbark, Grey Box, Manna Gum and Varnish and Golden Wattle and the White Cypress-pine, usually found north of the Dividing Range. Among other plants are Wedge-leaf Hop-bush, Snowy Mint-bush, bush peas, groundsels and (in shady gullies) several species of ferns.

• Dogs, cats and firearms are not permitted in the park.
• All plants and animals are protected.
• Light fires only in fireplaces provided.
• No BBQs or fires are allowed within the park on total fire ban days
• Camping in this park is not permitted.
• Please take your rubbish with you.
• Please stay on the walking tracks.

• Be aware that after heavy rain the river can rise suddenly.

Werribee Gorge State Park is about 8 km west of Bacchus Marsh and can be approached by two routes. The first is via the Western Freeway and the Pentland Hills Road to Myers Road, a gravel road steep in places. This provides access to the Gorge itself. The second is via Ironbark Road (the Ballan-Ingliston Road) which is approached from the Bacchus Marsh-Anakie Road.

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