Ranger Matt’s favourite escapes

THE school holidays may have drawn to a close but with sunny skies still plentiful there has never been a better time to head outdoors and venture in your own backyard.

1.    George Bass Coastal Walk (Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park)
The George Bass Coastal Walk is approximately 7km long and takes around two hours to complete (one way) from Punchbowl Road to Kilcunda.

With rugged, ever-changing coastal views, you never know what you will view on a given day. From calm, crisp and clear water to windy ocean swells – the walk features breathtaking sights of cliff faces and remote beaches. From different sections along the walk, you will see Phillip Island’s Cape Woolamai and the stunning Wonthaggi Coastline.

This walk is most enjoyable on a cool to mild day, as there is limited shade along the walk. Make sure you carry plenty of food and water and wear sturdy walking shoes. Dogs are permitted on the walk, but they must be always on a lead.

Halfway along the walk you will cross Sandy Waterhole Beach, home to the vulnerable Hooded Plover, a cute little beach-nesting bird. You can help this bird by staying away from the dunes and temporarily fenced areas around nesting sites.

2.    Wonthaggi Heathland (Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park)
The Wonthaggi Heathland is one of the area’s hidden gems.

It is very diverse, with a wide variety of vegetation communities, including wet and dry heath, coastal scrub, wetlands and woodland environments.

The thing l love most about the heathlands is its diversity of native plants and animals so close to the coast. You can find yourself surrounded by wildflowers and the sound of birds or tucked away in the coastal scrub listening to the sounds of the ocean.

There are many tracks and trails throughout the heathland, which can be accessed from Chisholm Road and the end of Reed Crescent in Wonthaggi. The track and trail network in the heathland is quite extensive. I’d suggest carrying plenty of food and water and using a mapping program on your phone to keep an eye on your location throughout the walk to ensure you make it back to your car safely. Dogs are permitted on the walk, but they must be always on a lead.

3.    Screw Creek - Townsend Bluff Estuary Walk (Anderson Inlet Coastal Reserve)
One of the area’s most popular short walks, the Screw Creek – Townsend Bluff Estuary Walk takes you along the edge of a pristine estuarine environment up to a beautiful vantage point on top of the bluff with views over Anderson Inlet, Point Smythe and Venus Bay.

This is a short walk, but sturdy footwear is recommended. Along your journey, you will encounter healthy stands of mangroves, saltmarsh, and estuarine wetland environments and notice the everchanging colours of Screw Creek and Anderson Inlet.

If you visit on a windy day, I recommend taking time to watch the grass tussocks along the southern side of the screw bridge move in the wind.

The best location to access the walk is from the carpark located at the eastern end of the Inverloch Foreshore Caravan Park. Dogs are allowed on a lead on the designated walking track, but not on the adjoining beach, which is an important area for beach nesting birds.

4.    Eagles Nest (Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park)
Eagles Nest is one of the region’s most visited locations for good reason. Found within Bunurong Marine National Park, this location is home to a unique rock stack, that can be viewed from several locations along the Bunurong Coast and is popular with photographers.

The best place to view this rock stack is from the lookout at the southern point of Eagles Nest. The site is incredible at low tide, as you can explore the extensive rock platform, rock pools and look at the diverse marine life in the area.

Located within the Marine National Park, this area is a no-take zone, so nothing except your rubbish can be taken from this location. Please don’t bring your furry friends – dogs are not permitted at this site.

5.    Shack Bay (Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park)
Shack Bay is found within the Bunurong Marine National Park, and named after the site’s former coastal shacks, that were built during a Wonthaggi Coalmining Strike and dismantled in 1977.

Shack Bay is home to a beautiful marine environment and beach, that is surrounded by towering, weathered cliffs. It’s a great spot to view the western side of the Eagles Nest rock stack.

On your walk to the site’s lookout, you will walk past some beautiful She-oaks before discovering an amazing view which looks across the protected embayment and cliffs.