Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

Tower Hill is an extinct volcanic crater located some twenty kilometres west of Warrnambool in Victoria. This maar — a crater lake formed by phreatomagmatic eruption — now hosts a nature reserve where koalas, emus and kangaroos roam freely. The site is also a place of cultural memory for the Gunditjmara, an Aboriginal people whose presence here stretches back thousands of years.

Quick practical information

• Entry: free
• Access: car recommended — the reserve is located on the Princes Highway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy
• Suggested duration: 2 to 3 hours for the main trails
• What to wear: hiking boots recommended; bring plenty of water

What to see

The main crater is ringed by interior islands covered in native vegetation replanted since the 1960s. Marked trails wind through wetlands, eucalyptus forests and volcanic grasslands. Koalas are easy to spot in trees bordering the tracks. Emus roam freely along the paths, sometimes accompanied by their chicks.

History and context

Tower Hill was declared a state park as early as 1892, making it one of Victoria's earliest nature reserves. In the nineteenth century, deforestation and grazing had almost completely stripped the crater bare. The ecological restoration, launched using an 1855 painting by artist Eugène von Guérard as a reference, allowed native plant species to be replanted with remarkable precision. For the Gunditjmara, Tower Hill is a major cultural and spiritual site.

Highlights of your visit

The crater trail (Peak Climb)

This short circuit climbs to the crater rim and offers an unobstructed view of the maar, interior islands and, on clear days, the Great Ocean Road coastline. The ascent is moderate and accessible to most walkers.

Wildlife watching at dawn

The early morning hours are most rewarding. Active koalas, Eastern grey kangaroos in groups and waterbirds on the lake — wildlife is visible without great effort from the main trails.

The Worn Gundidj visitor centre

Run by Gunditjmara rangers, this centre offers information on the site's cultural history and guided tours. It's the recommended starting point to understand the Aboriginal context of the place.

Photography tips

Golden morning light illuminates the lake from the crater's eastern rim. Koalas in trees are best photographed with a telephoto lens to avoid disturbing them. Avoid flash and keep a reasonable distance from emus, which can be unpredictable.

Location and access

Tower Hill is located approximately 15 km west of Warrnambool, accessible by car from the Princes Highway (route A1). No regular public transport serves the site. Warrnambool is connected to Melbourne by train (V/Line). The site is not entirely wheelchair accessible, but the visitor centre and immediate surroundings are.

Nearby attractions

• Port Fairy — historic fishing village about twenty kilometres to the west, with nineteenth-century cottages and an active harbour.
• Warrnambool — coastal town featuring Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and a southern right whale watching site during the season.
• Great Ocean Road — one of Australia's most spectacular coastal drives, with Warrnambool marking its western end.