Overview
From hinterland to wetlands, rivers and coastal plains, the Geelong and Bellarine region is home to an impressive array of native animals and migratory birds.
Bay waters
Join a tour and swim with dolphins and seals in Port Phillip Bay or take a stroll up to a coastal lookout on the Bass Strait side and spot a passing whale. On the peninsula, walk along stretches of sun-drenched beach and watch flocks of ibis and pelicans going about their day.
Bush encounters
An ancient landscape of granite peaks and towering gums, the You Yangs offer the chance for encounters with koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, brush-tailed possums, echidnas and lizards and other native animals.
A little further north, wildlife abounds in the Brisbane Ranges National Park. Walk through Anakie Gorge or one of several other trails and keep a look out for kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, possums and sugar gliders.
Birdsong in the wetlands
At the Begola Wetlands Ocean Grove you’ll find a rich environment teeming with birds, frogs and aquatic life. An important feeding ground for migratory birds, the reserve offers many great walking tracks for birdwatchers. Take your binoculars and watch flocks dash in formation across the sky, or dive hungrily into the waters to stock up on food.
Serendip Sanctuary in Lara is another great spot for twitchers. On a good day you might see parrots and emus, brolgas and yellow-billed spoonbills.
