Be Bushfire Smart

Sightseeing
• The Cape Nelson Lighthouse is one of the popular attractions in the area, with spectacular views of the surrounding coastal and inland environment to be gained by climbing the tower, as well as a greater appreciation of our maritime history.

  Picnics and barbecues

• The quiet bush surroundings of the picnic areas are an ideal setting for a meal with family and friends. Wood barbecues and picnic tables are provided at all sites. As wood is not supplied, visitors must bring wood with them.

  Walking
  

• The Sea Cliff Nature Walk (3km), the Lighthouse Walk (6km) and the Great South West Walk offer excellent walking opportunities for everyone. All these walks are linked, providing the opportunity to walk as little or as much as desired.

  Nature study
  

• The Sea Cliff Nature Walk gives an introduction to the natural history of the area. You can watch sea and land birds, kangaroos, echidnas, snakes and lizards. It's a good idea to take binoculars and bird and plant books. Note the limestone overlying the basalt of rock platforms near sea level.

  Coastal cliffs
  

• Experience magnificent sea views and the beautiful coastal environment, but please stay on the track and keep away from cliff edges as some may be unstable.

• Two scenic walking tracks and picnic areas with fireplaces and toilets are provided.
• Camping is not permitted in the Park, but it is in specific locations within Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Lower Glenelg National Park and Mount Eccles National Park. A wide range of accommodation is available in Portland.
• Drinking water is not available, see precautionary advice.

The area was previously cleared in places and grazed about 30 years ago. Evidence of this can be seen in the occasional windrow, where vegetation has been pushed up into lines.

Following an Inter-Colonial Conference of Marine Officers, Cape Nelson Light Station was built in 1884 to assist ships sailing west entering Bass Straight. Cape Nelson is also the site of the Isabella that was shipwrecked in 1837 due to a navigational error by the captain.

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

Many native animals can be found in the Park including rare and threatened species such as the Heath Mouse (Pseudoomys shortridgei), Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus) and Rufous Bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti).

More common animals found include the Red-necked Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus) and Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

Many bird species also frequent the Park including wrens, honeyeaters, rosellas and Bronzewing Pigeons. They are particularly noticeable during Spring when the rich smell of Soap Mallee nectar is in the air.

There are three main vegetation types within the Park, Soap Mallee, Heath and Wet Heath. The Soap Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) community has a sparse understorey, with Moonah (Melalueca lanceolata), Coast Beard Heath (Leucopogon parviflorus), Common Correa (Correa reflexa) and Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) being some of the main species. Isolated pockets of Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) occur throughout the Park with the invasive Coast Wattle (Acacia longifolia var sophorae) providing cover in more open patches of ground.

The Heath community consists mainly of a sparse canopy of Coastal Daisy (Olearia axillaris), Coast Beard Heath and Coast Everlasting (Helichrysum paralium) with Silver Banksia and Common Correa forming a very dense ground layer.

The Wet Heath community is dominated by the Dwarf Sheoak (Allocasuarina pusilla) along with other less dominant species such as Prickly Tea-tree (Leptospermum juniperinum), Bushy Needlewood (Hakea sericea), Flame Heath (Astroloma conostephioides), Silver Banksia and Chaffy Saw-Sedge (Gahnia filum).

Areas of Grass-tree (Xanthorrhoea australis) occurs between the Soap Mallee and Wet Heath communities.

Apart from the rare Soap Mallee, Cape Nelson contains several other rare or vulnerable plant species, including Coast Ground-berry (Acrotriche cordata), Mountain Daisy (Oxide achellaeoides ssp. arenicola), Drooping Velvet Bush (Lasiopetalum schulzenii) and Bog Sedge (Schoenus deformis).

• Take your rubbish with you.
• Fires may only be lit in fireplaces provided.
• Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the Park.
• Firearms are not permitted.
• All native plants and animals are protected.
• Vehicles must not be driven off formed roads.
• Camping is prohibited.
• Leave the Park as you find it.

• During the summer period, water restrictions may be necessary. Please be careful with water. The water available at the picnic area is only suitable for hand washing, due to the prevalence for the water to be contaminated with leaves and other vegetation at the collection point.
• Be self-sufficient with drinking water. Carry it in and/or know how to make untreated water safe for drinking. For more information contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit the Department of Human Services Better Health website www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.

The Park is located 11 km South West of Portland along the Cape Nelson Road. Maps are available at the local tourist office or from Parks Victoria's office in Portland. The Cape also has a return or alternative route called "The Norman Wade Scenic Drive" which takes the visitor past the entrance to Cape Nelson State Park picnic area and several other ocean lookouts including the spectacular lookout at Yellow Rock. Portland is situated about 400 km west of Melbourne and about 600 km east of Adelaide.

• Lower Glenelg National Park
• Mount Richmond National Park
• Mount Eccles National Park
• Discovery Bay Coastal Park