Be Bushfire Smart

Bay of Islands Coastal Park stretches from Peterborough almost to Warrnambool in a 32 km long narrow strip. The park has spectacular ocean views and protects a variety of rare flora and fauna species within its coastal heathland environment.

Parts of the park that are accessible to visitors are concentrated at the eastern (Peterborough) end of the park, beginning at Wild Dog Cove. This is adjoined by the Bay of Martyrs, a lengthy bay with spectacular scenery. Several accessible smaller bays such as Worm Bay, Crofts Bay, Boat Bay, and in the western section of the park, Childers Cove also offer magnificent views and secluded beaches.

• Coastal walks/sightseeing
• Bird/nature watching
• Fishing
• Four Wheel Driving
• Canoeing

Accommodation in the form of caravan parks, motels, and bed and breakfast facilities is available at Warrnambool and Peterborough.

Halladale Point is named for the shipwreck of the "Falls of Halladale", which ran onto the reef off the point in 1908. The captain of the Falls of Halladale, confused by sea mist, ran his ship onto a reef while on route from New York to Melbourne. But Halladale Point has another name - Massacre Point. Rumour has it that Europeans killed a group of the Kirrae-Wurrong Aborigines here by driving them off the cliff.

The story continues that the women and children of the group were then killed in the nearby swamp at Massacre Bay. The Aboriginal population of the area droppped from several hundreds in the 1840s to three or four by the 1880s.

As if to sharpen this tragic tale, at Halladale Point you can look across to the whitened heap of shellfish on top of a nearby semi island and reflect on the wealth and diversity of food available to the Aboriginal people from the estuaries, sandy beaches, rock platforms and heathland around here, and the good times that must have accompanied many a rich feast.

Coastal traders and immigrant vessels also feature among the four known wrecks along this stretch of coastline. Of the two coastal traders, the Children, owned by the Henty Family, was wrecked in 1839 with the loss of 17 lives.

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

The Rufous Bristlebird, with its uptilted tail, is common in small remnants of the heathland, feeding and nesting in the dense thick sword grass tussocks and Coastal Beardheath, banksias and daisy bushes.

The heathland is colourful in spring, when dense yellow banksias, rich pink Swainson's Pea, Pig Face, Golden Groundsel and Purple Flag Lilies are flowering.

Gleaming spikes of rare Metallic Sun Orchids along with Fairies' Aprons, greenhoods and Donkey Orchids are also found in Bay of Islands Coastal Park. There are dense, thick sword-grass tussocks and Coastal Beard-heath, banksias and daisy bushes.

• Take all rubbish with you.
• Dogs on leads in designated areas only.
• All native plants and animals are protected.

• Beware of the unpredictable weather and ocean conditions.
• Beware of undermined cliff edges and keep to designated walking tracks and viewing platforms only.

Drive along the Great Ocean Road via Peterborough or Warrnambool (Melway ref: 526 D8 & E9).

• Tower Hill State Game Reserve
• Port Campbell National Park
• Otway National Park
• Melba Gully State Park