Moyne Big Nature Trail

The Moyne Big Nature Trail is a self-drive touring route connecting ten outstanding natural attractions around Port Fairy and the surrounding region. It is not a continuous walking trail, and the destinations can be visited individually or combined into a longer road trip.

Discover ancient volcanic landscapes, secluded coves, waterfalls, wetlands, wildlife sanctuaries and dramatic sections of the Great Ocean Road coastline. Wildlife which may be encountered includes kangaroos, emus, koalas, kookaburras, shorebirds and short-tailed shearwaters.

Moyne Big Nature Trail Map

Moyne Big Nature Trail Stops:

1. Tower Hill Reserve

Discover the majesty of an ancient volcanic landscape. Nestled in a dormant volcanic crater, this wildlife haven showcases Indigenous culture, native bushland and beautiful scenery.

The reserve supports an abundance of native wildlife, including emus, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, black swans, wedge-tailed eagles, magpie geese and reptiles. Walking tracks, picnic areas and the Tower Hill Visitor Centre are located inside the crater.

2. Budj Bim National Park

Imagine the powerful ancestral forces which created this rich cultural landscape. Stand on the crater rim and admire scenic Lake Surprise, explore an ancient lava canal or take a torch and venture through the darkness of a prehistoric lava-tube cave.

The park is home to parrots, honeyeaters, kookaburras, hawks and eagles. Walking tracks of various lengths begin near the campground and day visitor area.

3. Griffiths Island

One of the island’s natural highlights is the sunset arrival of thousands of short-tailed shearwaters, traditionally known as muttonbirds. Each year the birds travel from the Northern Hemisphere to breed and raise their young on Griffiths Island.

Watch the birds returning to their burrows around dusk from late September until mid-April. Visitors should remain on the designated tracks and viewing platform to avoid damaging the nesting burrows.

The island also has a walking circuit, beaches, coastal scenery and the historic Port Fairy Lighthouse.

4. Belfast Coastal Reserve

Fringing the coast between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, Belfast Coastal Reserve contains rocky reefs, sandy beaches, coastal dunes, saltmarshes and estuaries.

Keep watch for native wildlife, including the Orange-bellied Parrot and Victoria’s largest population of Hooded Plovers. Southern right whales and dolphins may also be seen offshore.

Access and dog restrictions vary between different sections of the reserve.

5. Yambuk Lakes

Relax and recharge in an important wetland system containing freshwater meadows, reed beds, semi-permanent saline marshes and saltmarsh communities.

Follow the walking trail beside the lake, watch for birdlife and enjoy views across Lake Yambuk towards Deen Maar, also known as Lady Julia Percy Island, and the Southern Ocean.

The nearby Yambuk Lake Recreation Reserve also has picnic and camping facilities and the famous Giant Yambuk Slide.

6. Childers Cove

This quiet and relatively secluded cove offers impressive coastal scenery, limestone stacks, multicoloured cliffs, a sandy beach and views across the Southern Ocean.

Access to the beach is by steps. Conditions can be rough, the beach is not patrolled and visitors should keep well back from unstable cliff edges.

7. Bay of Islands Coastal Park

Pounding seas and fierce winds have sculpted the Bay of Islands coastline over thousands of years. Clifftop viewing areas provide expansive views of towering rock stacks, arches and offshore islands carved from the limestone cliffs by rain, wind and ocean.

The park extends along the coast between Peterborough and Warrnambool and includes numerous lookouts, beaches and short coastal walks.

8. Ralph Illidge Sanctuary

This 40-acre volunteer-managed wildlife sanctuary provides habitat for native animals including the long-nosed potoroo, Powerful Owl, Rufous Bristlebird and White Goshawk.

Walking tracks criss-cross the bushland, native flora thrives and rare wildlife finds refuge. Pack a picnic and immerse yourself in the natural surroundings.

9. Hopkins Falls

Hopkins Falls are impressive in any season and are a popular destination for sightseeing, photography and picnics. At approximately 90 metres across, they are among Victoria’s widest waterfalls.

The falls are most impressive during winter or following heavy rain, when water cascades over the dark volcanic rocks. For a short period during summer, young eels may be seen migrating upstream and climbing over the falls.

Viewing areas are available above the falls and near their base.

10. The Crags

The Crags offers panoramic views across rocky limestone cliffs, offshore reefs and the Southern Ocean.

This ancient cultural landscape forms part of the traditional homelands of the Peek Whurrong people and has spiritual connections with nearby Deen Maar. Aboriginal people gathered in this area for ceremonies and feasting over many thousands of years.

A short path leads from the car park to the coastal viewing platform.