Lower Glenelg National Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park Visitor Guide These two parks offer some of Victoria’s finest natural settings including the beautiful Glenelg River and estuary, and the sweeping ocean beaches of Discovery Bay. Explore the freshwater lakes and discover a wide range of bird life, or enjoy a cruise on the Glenelg River. Walk among massive dunes, hike the Great South West Walk or camp beside the river. The separate Glenelg River Guide details canoe campsites and motor boating safety. River cruise Drive Relax by taking a river cruise from Nelson and carefully…this n o t e s park is the discover the wide variety of wildlife and plants on wombats last your way. stronghold in south west Victoria. Wildlife abounds Native animals, though sometimes difficult to Things to see and do find, include Eastern Grey kangaroos, Red- necked wallabies, Brush-tail possums, koalas Parks provide a multitude of activities for visitors and echidnas. In the more remote and to enjoy. Camping, fishing, horse riding, touring, undisturbed areas, rare animals such as Heath bushwalking, mountain biking, or 4WD, there’s Rats, Swamp Antechinus and Potoroos can be something for everyone. found. Small colonies of Wombats inhabit Lower Glenelg National Park (LGNP), the only Walking remnants of a once widespread population in the The internationally acclaimed Great South West south west region of Victoria. Walk allows for a number of short or longer Some of the more common large birds include walks. Starting and ending at Portland, the emus, herons and ducks. Other less common p a r k 250km route passes through forest and species are the Spotted Quail-Thrush, Painted heathlands, along rivers and via wind-swept Quail, Ground Thrush, Azure Kingfisher, and the coastal cliffs and beaches. A brochure is rare Rufous Bristle-bird. available from Visitor Centres at Portland and Nelson or visit www.greatsouthwestwalk.com How to get there These parks are in south-west Victoria adjoining Camping the SA border, about 420km from Melbourne and 490km from Adelaide. The major access Glenelg River camping can be booked for nine roads to the park are shown on the map inside. campgrounds and two coastal campgrounds The parks are connected and there is good at Swan Bay and Lake Monibeong nearby at access to most points by vehicle or on foot. Discovery Bay Coastal Park. Fireplaces and toilets are provided at all sites. Caravans can be Be fire ready and stay safe used at Pritchards camp. Refer to the map for Many parks and forests are located in high fire risk areas. campsites and facilities. On days of forecast Code Red Fire Danger this park will be closed for public safety. Camping permits are required. Bookings can be made at www.parkstay.vic.gov.au If you are already in the park you should leave the night before or early in the morning for your own safety. Princess Margaret Rose Cave camping is Closure signs will be erected and rangers will patrol when managed separately, contact (08) 8738 4171 possible, however you may not receive a personal warning Great South West Walk information - visit Healthy Parks Healthy People that the park is closed so check the latest conditions by www.greatsouthwestwalk.com calling 13 1963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Visiting a park can improve your health, mind, body and For up to date information on fires in Victoria or general fire soul. So, with over four million Driving and sightseeing safety advice call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line hectares of parkland available Sealed, gravel and sandy roads provide two on 1800 240 667. to Victorians, why not escape wheel drive access to many areas. Several to a park today! January 2014 picnic areas are located close to the Glenelg Printed on Australian-made 100% recycled paper River and estuary, and the lakes in Discovery Bay Coastal Park (DBCP). For more information call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit our website at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au MAP Short walks Canoeing, boating and Booklet available. water skiing The Glenelg River is a safe course for Lower Glenelg National Park canoe trips. Contact the Nelson 1 The Gorge Walk - 10km, 3.5 hours Visitor Information Centre for camping 2 Sapling Creek Walk - 4.5km, 1.5 hours permits and information on canoe hire, or if you are planning an Discovery Bay Coastal Park overnight canoe trip. Boat launching ramps are provided 3 Livingstones Island Walk - 3km, 1.5 hours and water skiing is permitted in 4 Lake Monibeong Loop Walk - 15km, 4.5 hours designated zones in LGNP and 5 Seal Colony Walk - 5km, 2.5 hours DBCP. See the separate Parknote titled Glenelg River Guide available at Cape Nelson State Park www.parkweb.vic.gov.au 6 Light Station Walk - 6km, 2.5 hours Lower Glenelg National Park & Discovery Bay Coastal Park Highway See Map for continuation Sealed road Unsealed road Vehicle track Walking track Park Area Marine National Park/ Marine Sanctuary Catching that big fish Other Park The Glenelg River offers opportunities Water body for licensed amateur fishing with both freshwater and salt water species Swamp present in the park. DBCP has many 3 Walk number locations for surf fishing. A Fishing Licence is required. Recreational Facilities Fishing is not permitted in Marine National MAP Parks and Marine Sanctuaries. Boat launching Check separate parknotes for activity Camping guidelines. See Map for continuation (bookings required) GLENELG Caravan park Swimming and surfing S.A Hamilton l HWYHWY Family walk l PRINCES Bridgewater Bay, the Glenelg River Mount HENTY estuary and the freshwater lakes are Fireplace Gambier LOWER GLENELG NATIONAL PARK the safest areas for swimming. Kiosk HWY Beware - the coastline is rugged and MAP DISCOVERY BAY Port Light Station Fairy dangerous. Swimmers should swim MAP COASTAL PARK l Portland l Lookout between the lifesaving flags. The ocean beaches of DBCP are Park information generally unsafe for swimming. Picnic table Surfing is popular at Yellow Rock, Surf fishing Bridgewater Bay, and Whites Beach. (except in MNP) For more detailed information about this area see Discovery Bay Marine National Park Swimming marinenote. Get Involved - hands on! Hanging out with Friends can be good for your mind, body and soul. Toilets Throughout the world there is growing recognition of the vital contribution Tourist Information parks make to a healthy environment, to the health of individuals and to a 02 4 healthy society. KILOMETRES Restoring habitat diversity can have healthy benefits to you and your Cartography by Spatial Vision 2007 community and volunteering is a great way to get involved in your N M/6163 environment...anyone can do it! There are over 300 different Friends groups helping us maintain the health Cape Bridgewater area and integrity of your national parks and reserves. You can join the Great Clifftop, highest cliff on the coast, seal South West Walk Friends group in caring for these special places and MELBOURNE become a Friend. Call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit H l colony viewing platform. Part of the Great South West Walk www.parkweb.vic.gov.au © (booklet available). For further information Shy visitors in need of care The coastal plants of Discovery Bay have altered significantly since Lieutenant Grant Parks Victoria The low vegetation of DBCP allows excellent arrived. Many dunes now support no vegetation Information Centre call opportunities for observing bird life along the at all. Some small patches of vegetation in sand 13 1963 vast stretches of sandy beach. The park dunes remain as relics of a former stable land or visit the provides important habitat for the endangered system. Plants typical of coastal heathlands Parks Victoria website Hooded Plover and many other waders include Coast Wattle, Coast Beard-heath and www.parkweb.vic.gov.au migrating from overseas. Correa. Portland Maritime Hooded Plovers nest in very exposed beach Away from the dune areas, the plant and animal Discovery Centre locations. Take care - please watch for eggs communities are quite complex. Lee Breakwater Road when walking above the high tide line, especially Portland, Victoria 3305 At Long Swamp there are several plant species between August and February. Tel: (03) 5523 2671 of high conservation value, including heaths, Do not disturb the birds at their nesting sites. Boating, canoeing, dense paperbark thickets and both a pink and camping, other regulations Easily scared, they will often abandon their yellow flowering form of a variety of Yellow Gum and river conditions contact: eggs. (Eucalyptus leucoxylon var. macrocarpa) that Nelson The Nelson estuary is a great place for bird occurs nowhere else in the State. Visitor Information Centre watching. Spoonbills, ducks, herons, pelicans Tel: (08) 8738 4051 and swans can often be seen along the Glenelg River Gorge boardwalk and bird-hide situated here. Princess Margaret Stretching 15km along the lower reaches of the Rose Cave The 27,300 hectares of LGNP features the river, this limestone gorge has cliffs up to 50m Visitor Centre tranquil Glenelg River and surrounding forest. high in places. Open Daily Rising in the Grampians, the river meanders Water percolating through and dissolving the Tel: (08) 8738 4171 400km through western Victoria to the ocean at limestone in the rock has formed caves which Caring for the Nelson. host nurseries and roosting caves for bats. environment The 10,615 hectares of DBCP hosts a broad Some caves have vertical shafts which, over range of coastal environments, stretching from n o t e s Help us look after this park thousands of years, have literally become death by following these Nelson to Portland. traps for unwary animals. The remains of long- guidelines: A rich human history extinct marsupials such as the Giant Kangaroo Camping is by permit only.