Warrnambool - Hopkins River and Blue Hole
The lower Hopkins River forms a broad estuary before reaching the Southern Ocean at Warrnambool. The area around the river mouth is known locally as the Blue Hole and features sandy riverbanks, cliffs, rock formations and rock pools.
Blue Hole River Pool is at the end of Blue Hole Road, Warrnambool.
Blue Hole Reserve is located on the eastern side of the river and is popular for walking, fishing, paddling, swimming and exercising dogs. The riverbank and nearby coastal tracks provide views across the estuary towards Moyjil / Point Ritchie.
The Hopkins River estuary is approximately nine kilometres long and supports black bream, estuary perch, mulloway, yellow-eye mullet, Australian salmon and short-finned eels. During autumn, short-finned eels gather near the closed river mouth before beginning their migration to the Coral Sea to spawn.
Activities include:
- Walking beside the river and around the river mouth
- Exploring sandy areas, coastal rock formations and rock pools
- Fishing from the shore and floating fishing jetties
- Canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on suitable sections of the river
- Swimming in calmer river sections when conditions are suitable
- Birdwatching and observing other estuary wildlife
- Seasonal off-leash dog exercise at Blue Hole Reserve
- Parking at the end of Blue Hole Road
- Public toilets near the Blue Hole
- Six floating fishing jetties between Hopkins River Bridge and Jubilee Park
- An accessible fishing platform at the corner of Simpson Street and Otway Road
- A boat ramp and floating pontoon at Jubilee Park
- A public boat-access hoist at the Simpson Street jetty beside EJ King Park, available to approved users who have completed a safety induction
Fishing:
The Blue Hole contains shallow sand flats, weed beds and a deeper drop-off. Fishers can wade across the shallows and cast towards deeper water, but should take care around sudden changes in depth.
Black bream, estuary perch, mulloway, yellow-eye mullet, Australian salmon and short-finned eels are among the species found in the estuary.
Water Safety:
The Hopkins River mouth is not patrolled by lifesavers and conditions can change considerably. Strong currents can develop when the river mouth is open. Children should remain under close adult supervision, particularly around the drop-off, fishing jetties and river mouth.
The entrance to the ocean is shallow and dangerous. Boats, kayaks and paddleboards should not attempt to travel through the river mouth into the Southern Ocean. High river levels may also prevent boats from passing beneath Hopkins River Bridge.
Avoid entering the water when it is discoloured, has an unpleasant smell or when health, flood or algal warnings are current.
Access for Dogs:
At Blue Hole Reserve on the eastern side of the river between Hopkins River Bridge and the river mouth, dogs may be exercised off leash from April 1 to November 30. Dogs must be kept on a leash from December 1 to March 31.
When off leash, dogs must remain under effective voice control. Owners must carry a leash, use it near other dogs or within 30 metres of picnic areas, organised events and public gatherings, and remove their dog's droppings.
Different restrictions apply farther upstream. Dogs are prohibited along the Hopkins River and beach frontage near the Ski Club between November 1 and April 30.
Location
Blue Hole Road, Warrnambool 3280 View Map
Web Links
→ www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/hopkins-river
→ vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/fishing-locations/hopkins-river
