Connewarre State Game Reserve

Visitor Guide

In one of the largest in Western , State Game Reserve has a variety of , marshes, and river areas. This complex environment has a wide range of vegetation communities providing habitat for estuarine flora and fauna unique to the area.

Enjoying the park Have a picnic NOTES Taits Point has excellent panoramic views of Lake Connewarre and the surrounding escarpment from two viewing platforms. Other picnic sites include the historic Sheepwash on the and Jock McCorkell Reserve. Catch a fish A number of fishing platforms and a boardwalk provide good access to the river upstream at Barwon Heads. The main catches are Bream, Yellowed Eyed Mullet, Redfin and Mulloway. A recreational fishing licence is required by all anglers. Illegal fishing should be reported to 13 FISH (13 3474).

PARK Go boating Internationally Significant Taits Point has a boat ramp suitable for launching small craft – canoes, kayaks and small fishing boats. Note there is no vehicle access to the boat Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve is a ramp. complex ecosystem linked to the sea by the Barwon River. In 1983 the Reserve was Sail boarding is also popular in the main lake. declared by the Victorian Government as a A five knot speed restriction applies to all powered “wetland of international significance” under the craft within Lake Connewarre, the Barwon River . downstream from the Second Break, including all The reserve provides significant habitat for a port waters. number of endangered migratory bird species. Two international agreements with Japan and Duck Hunting China ensure species such as Greenshank, Duck hunting is permitted within designated areas Eastern Golden Plover and Red-knecked Stints of the reserve during the declared duck hunting are protected. season. The reserve is dominated by two very different Groups such as Field and Game, lakes, Lake Connewarre and . The Geelong Rod and Gun Club and Workers for water quality and plant communities of Lake Wetlands undertake conservation works Connewarre are influenced by daily tidal changes throughout the reserve outside of the hunting with lake water coming from the sea via the season. Barwon River. For more information on hunting in the Lake Reedy Lake is a brackish lake and is Connewarre State Game Reserve, or how you almost completely covered by water plants can help look after the reserve, contact Parks including tall stands of Phragmities and Victoria on 13 1963. Cumbungi. Water levels within the lake are artificially altered to replicate a more natural cycle.

฀฀฀฀฀ ฀฀฀ ฀ ฀ ฀ ฀฀฀฀฀฀ + WHITTINGTON

TOWNSEND To Geelong BELLARINE BREAKWATER Breakwater RD ROAD

LEATHER ST Bellarine Lakes  LA RD Golf Park StAlbans  HOARES Park

MOOLAP STATION RD

WHITEHORSE RD

BOUNDARY

RD To

Geelong WELLINGTON ST WOODS WILSONS RD RD Marshall

TANNERY ROAD

RD O’HALLORAN RD

SCOTTS

COPPARDSCALDER RD ST C BARWON Barwon Reedy 

Lake  MELALUKA RESERVE RD FITZGERALD RD

ROAD

C121 River Second CHARLEMONT Break

MATTHEWS RD

HEADS

ROAD GROVES

HORSESHOE BEND BOUNDARY RD RD La Conn Lake Connewarre Campbell Point State GameROAD Reserve

Highway Hospital Swamps Major sealed road  W etlands Tait MinorBATTEN sealed road  Point Unsealed road

LANE The Vehicle track Island LAKE Walking track ROAD State Game Reserve Hospital Swamps HOSPITAL W etlands SWAMPS Other Reserves ROAD RD LAKE RD Marine Sanctuary BAENSCHS BELCHERS Water body LA Wetlands Barwon LOWER DUNEED Heads

Recreational STACEYS Airfield RD ROAD

Facilities SHAWS LA

Barbecue-Wood C121 BARWON Boat launching Carpark ROAD

Connewarre ROAD

ROAD Fishing platform LA HEADS

FULLER BLUESTONE McCANNS Park RD information DANS Thirteenth Bea Picnic table Golf Links GRAHAM LA Seating

RANDLES RD Toilets SCHOOL

ROAD  00.5 1

ã KILOMETRES

Thompson BLACK ROCK N Cartography by Spatial Vision 2008 M/8802 BREAMLEA THIRTEENTH

Creek

FISHERS RD BREAMLEA l FLORA & FAUNA H RESERVE ROAD © BLACKGATE

+ + NSE Barwon

pold ROAD B110 +

To Wa RIVER & Queenscliff River Parade HIGHWAY PDE

River

RIVER

PARADE

CURLEWIS

ROAD ASH RD TAITS OMO RD W lingto ROAD

MOLLERS LA AVENUE

THE SWAN STREET BAWTREE RD BAY ROAD BRINSMEAD LA

BARWON

HEADS CARR

SHEEPWASH

RHINDS ROAD ROAD

To Portarlington

ROAD

BARRY

SPROULES RD LANE

ROAD

LINGS RD

WALLINGTON Fenwick

SEPARATE  PARKNOTE  OCEAN GROVE AVAILABLE N TUR RESERVE Pacey Island

GRUBB

OCEAN GROVE

Barwon THACKER C129 ST SHELL S RD O ean NSE Grove Golf Cour e AN GROVE River

TAITS RD TUCKFIELD ST ORTON ST THE PARADE ROAD h

RD

SHEEPWASH RD

OCEAN GROVE LBOURNE RD

LINGS RD R WON FWY HEADS HEADS LAKE CONNEWARRE  l PRINCES STATE GAME RESERVE  Murtnaghurt Frankst l lGeelong Bar o ead s BARWON Golf Cour e BEACH l Queenscliff l rts STEPHENS PDE WI GOLF LINKS B Y ROAD VE Point Flinders l

B WR BL ON UF F BASS STR MAR NE SI A UN RCT A Y For further information Birdlife Parks Victoria Barwon River Parklands The reserve is a popular site for bird watching with Information Centre There are over 26km of walking and cycling one hundred and forty nine recorded species of Call 13 1963 paths along the Barwon River. There are also birds. Birds such as Strawnecked and Sacred ibis or visit the gold courses, fishing and viewing platforms, along with Yellowed-billed spoonbills regularly use Parks Victoria website playgrounds, public toilets and picnic areas. breeding sites in the area. www.parkweb.vic.gov.au The Barwon River provides for canoeing, kayaking and water skiing. The river edges and tidal mudflats along the lower Barwon River provide excellent habitat for egrets, Below are just a few of the places to visit along Queenscliff Visito r gulls, terns, pelicans and cormorants. The tidal Information Centre the river. flow allows aquatic invertebrates and small fish to 55 Hesse Street Buckley Falls Park move up the river, providing a valuable food Queenscliff VIC 3225 source for these species. Phone: (03) 5258 4843 Enjoy stunning river and valley views from the lookout. Buckley Falls can be reached by car Another significant visitor to the reserve is the or via the sealed walking/cycling path from Orange-bellied Parrot. Breeding in Tasmania over nearby Queens Park. summer, this species migrates north via Bass Caring for the Strait islands to Victoria’s coastline for the winter. environmen t Balyang Sanctuary It is thought that Lake Connewarre forms one of only five known over-winter sites. Help us look after your park The sanctuary is a haven for birds - swans, by following these guidelines: pelicans, Eurasian coot, dusky moorhen, Pacific black duck, mallard, pied cormorant, Please take all rubbish with geese and silver gulls. Riverside walking/bike Be fire ready and stay safe you for recycling or disposal paths link Balyang Sanctuary with other parks along the Barwon River. Many parks and forests are located in high fire risk All plants, animals, historical Ocean Grove Nature Conservation Reserve areas. On days of forecast Code Red Fire and archaeological sites and Danger this park will be closed for public geographic features are Explore one of the last remaining parcels of safety. protected by la w native vegetation on the . If you are already in the park you should leave the Dogs and other pets are not The reserve has an information centre that is night before or early in the morning for your own permitted in the park open on weekends. A number of interesting safety. walks start from the reserve’s picnic area. Closure signs will be erected and rangers will Firearms are prohibited patrol where possible, however you may not receive a personal warning that the park is closed No fires, including barbecues, so check the latest conditions by calling 13 1963 may be lit on a day of Total Fire or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. Ban. Lake Connewarre State White Mangroves Game Reserve is in the For up to date information on fires in Victoria or Central Total Fire Ban District The banks of the Barwon River form the most general fire safety advice call the Victorian western occurrence of white mangrove in Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 . It is your responsibility to Australia. White mangroves are uniquely know if it is a day of Total equipped to survive in muddy and salty Fire Ban. If in doubt call the conditions. The mangrove root system allows the Victorian Bushfire plant to breathe whilst exposed at low tide. Information Line How to get there on 1800 240 667 The mangroves play an important role in the food The reserve is situated on the Bellarine Peninsula Park closures - Be prepared to chain and biodiversity by providing an excellent approximately 65km south west of Melbourne and leave early as extreme source of food and shelter for many species of 8km south east of Geelong. weather may cause the fish, animals and birdlife. Looking after these plant closure of some park areas species will ensure adequate food stocks for fish for public safet y Lake Connewarre can be accessed from and protect fishing opportunities. Brimsmead Lane, Mollers Lane, Wallington Road and Barwon Heads Road. Collect only dead wood from Unfortunately the mangroves along the lower the ground for campfires Barwon River are in decline due to pressure from Taits Point Picnic Area can be accessed from Vehicles, including motor bikes, the impact of people. Walking and fishing along Staceys Road. may only be used on formed the river edge damage the sensitive streamside open roads. Drivers must be mangroves and communities. Reedy Lake can be accessed via Coppards Road, licensed and vehicles Calder Street, Moolap Station Road, Whitehorse registered and roadworthy You can help protect the mangroves and wetlands Road and O’Hallarons Road. by staying on designated walking tracks and using fishing platforms while fishing. This will ensure future food stocks for fish, animals and birdlife. December 2010 Healthy Parks Healthy People Printed on Australian-made 100% recycled paper Visiting a park can improve your health, mind, body an d soul. So, with over four million hectares of parkland available to Victorians, why not escape to a park today!