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Bushfire Smart
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Located on the open coast at Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula and covering 80 hectares in area, Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary supports the most diverse intertidal rocky reef communities in Victoria. The Marine Sanctuary comprises an extensive rock platform, with sheltered rock pools and coves protected by a shallow reef on the ocean side.
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Things to Do
The area provides a useful educational experience and is popular with schools studying marine life.
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Heritage
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
The rocky shores and surrounding reefs at Flinders, at the south-west corner of Western Port, are famous for the diversity of their marine life. For over one hundred years, scientists and naturalists have frequented the reefs, and the area has revealed numerous animal species not previously known to science. Recent discoveries include sea stars that brood their young in their stomach and other tiny seastar species that were once thought to be juveniles. Easily visible are numerous rectangular crabs, multicoloured cushion sea-stars, small spiralled shells of all shapes and sizes and rows of daisy-like anemones. The seafloor within the coves (2 - 3 m depth) is carpeted in algae and seagrass, with the larger rocks of the reef covered in kelps, and smaller brown and red algae. The sandy bottom supports large beds of Amphibolis seagrass inhabited by a variety of fish including Saddled Wrasse and Magpie Morwong. Strange box-like Cowfish and Weedy Sea-dragons hover furtively over the seagrass beds. Black and White Sea Star
The amazing Black and White Sea Star is one of only two sea stars known to brood its young in its stomach. It carefully deposits the eggs onto rocks and after fertilisation passes the eggs one by one with its tube feet to the mouth. Up to 300 juveniles grow in the stomach for a month or so and are released as clusters of tiny pink stars in October. Although not confirmed, it appears as if the female does not eat during this period. The Black and White Sea Star is not common. It appears to favour shallow rock pools on basalt reefs and occurs only in Victoria and Tasmania. Geological, Hydrological and Landform Features At low tide, the sea withdraws to expose a huge mushroom-shaped platform. The reef is formed from ancient basalt that has weathered gracefully, allowing a multitude of creatures to hide under the loose rocks or within the crevices and cracks. The exposed ocean area of this sanctuary contains numerous subtidal pools and boulders in the intertidal area, and basalt substrates, which provide a rich variety of microhabitats. A line of cobbles stretches out to sea, forming the stalk of the mushroom. At the tip, sections of reef branch out on either side, forming the mushroom cap. Other reefs lie to the left and right and further out to sea, creating a mosaic of sheltered bays and pools.
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Looking After the Park
For the protection of the marine environment, a number of activities are prohibited within the boundaries of Victoria's marine national parks and marine sanctuaries. No fishing, netting, spearing, taking or killing of marine life. All methods of fishing, from the shore or the sea, are prohibited. As users of the marine environment, you can help minimise your impact on these areas by being mindful of the following points:
- enjoy the marine environment without removing the plants and animals
- minimise your impact while diving and snorkelling by:
- being careful to avoid damage to marine life caused by fins
- developing good skills in buoyancy control
- securing all gauges and pressure hoses to avoid snagging them on objects
- take any rubbish home with you - do not dump rubbish into the sea
- avoid stressing marine life by not chasing or grabbing free-swimming animals
- exercise great care if approached by large marine animals (including birds) & avoid blocking their paths if moving
- take care where you anchor your boat (anchor in sand, rubble or mud, avoiding sensitive areas, and use mooring buoys where provided)
- do not pollute the water with sewage - ensure that if your vessel has an onboard toilet that it has an approved sewage holding facility and that sewage is disposed of appropriately on land
- take the time to learn more about Victoria's marine animals and plants and the habitats they depend upon
Remember, Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries are NO TAKE ENVIRONMENTS. All objects (artefacts), animals eg. fish and crustaceans, plants, and the seabed are totally protected.
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Precautions
For your own safety, only undertake activities appropriate to your skills and abilities. Take all necessary precautions, be aware of changing conditions, and watch for potential hazards, such as rips. A number of Victorian marine animals are potentially harmful if not treated with respect and care, so ensure that you familiarise yourself with these species. Sunburn and hypothermia are also potentially harmful but easily avoided. SCUBA diving is a potentially high risk activity and should only be undertaken by appropraitely qualified people that have completed recognised training and certification. Victoria's cool water environments can be extremely challenging to those used to diving in warmer waters so ensure that local knowledge is sought before undertaking a dive in a new location. Dive charter operators can provide some of the best advice on diving in Victoria.
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Education
Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuaries Resource Kit – This education resources kit contains a comprehensive collection of many materials produced by Parks Victoria in relation to the Marine National Park system including lesson ideas for teachers and links to other resources.
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Nearby Parks
- Arthurs Seat State Park
- Coolart Wetlands and Homestead
- Mornington Peninsula National Park
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Guided Activities
1. Diving (B6)
2. Snorkelling (B7)
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Publications
Links to other websites 1.
Marine Education Society of Australasia Inc.
2.
Coastlinks Victoria
Park Notes / Maps 1.
Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries
2.
Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary
3.
Marine National Parks - Planning
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Marine National Parks - Snorkelling and Diving
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Marine National Parks - Fishing
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Marine National Parks - FAQs
Management Plans & Strategies 1.
Minimal Impact Guidelines - Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries (200 kb)
2.
Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary Management Plan (1 mb)
Books & DVDs 1.
Victoria's National Parks
2.
Melbourne's Great Outdoors
Boating & Ports Information 1.
Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Coordinates
Marine Natural Values Study - Extracts 1.
Mushroom Reef MS - Marine Natural Values Study
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