What Can I Do, Nature & Wildlife, Drysdale, Great Ocean Road and Region, Victoria, Australia

What can't you do? That would be a shorter list. There are attractions, activities, events and features throughout the region to suit all ages and interest groups. From theme parks for children to adventure sports for adrenaline junkies. From gourmet food and wine experiences to bushwalking through campsites. From a simple dip in the ocean to a luxurious spa retreat. There really is something for everyone.

Things to See & Do

Touring Routes & Tour Operators

Queenscliff

Sea All Dolphin Swims

How many places in the world can you swim with wild dolphins and seals? The popular and award winning Sea All Dolphin Swims of Queenscliff, Victoria, is a family owned business which offers a truly unique nautical experience of Port Phillip Bay. With a clever blend of fun adventure and education the tours cater for passengers of all ages, sizes, shapes and abilities. With modern wetsuits, equipment and light refreshments supplied its no wonder the tours are popular with international visitors heading down the Great Ocean Road. Learning Learn snorkelling in safe shallow conditions from patient and caring instructors. Interact with wild dolphins and seals while learning about their habits and environment. Snorkel in the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park and view coloured reef fish, sea stars, coloured sponges and a kelp forest. View unusual sea birds and a unique gannet rookery with fluffy white chicks. Experience the early maritime and military history. Hear expert interpretation and tales from experienced guides. Fun Interact with seals pups while imitating their playful antics. Experience the thrill of the boom net or enjoy the duckboard spa at the rear of the boat. Challenge yourself in our ritual jump from the boats' roof at the end of the cruise. Relax with a hot chocolate while sharing your experience with a new friend. Take home an experience you will remember and talk about for ages. Fabulous photos of unique wildlife and happy friends. The proud feeling of overcoming personnel challenges and conquering fears.

Queenscliff

South Bay Eco Adventures

View Port Phillip Heads from a new perspective and explore areas only accessible by boat with South Bay Eco Adventures. An exhilarating journey highlighting the unique history, wildlife and coastal landscape of southern Port Phillip Bay. Established in 2011, South Bay Eco Adventures' maiden season is founded on a long connection with the Southern Port Phillip Bay and surrounding area. The crew share years of knowledge and experience with the local waters and a passion for showcasing its wonders only accessible by boat.

Geelong

More Than A Tour

More than Tour offer their local knowledge will give you the very best opportunity of seeing a range of beautiful native animals in their natural environment. Shorts walks to the scenic attractions, lookouts, beaches and rain forests will be on well-defined tracks and board walks and requires a moderate level of fitness. Their guides will accompany you on all walks and your safety is their priority. Being a boutique tour company they will confirm your pick up point, departure and return times prior to departure. More Than A Tour also offers a Door to Door Service. More Than A Tour can tailor make tours to satisfy your groups desires, including: •Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island two day tours •Great Ocean Road and Grampians two day tours •Tailor made tours also available.

Torquay

The Surf Coast Walk

Whether you're a nature lover or a fun lover, whether you take an hour, a day or a week, the Surf Coast Walk puts a stunning and unique coastal environment within easy reach. - Offering natural beauty and easy access - A world-class walking destination for all to enjoy - On the edge of the stunning Great Ocean Road - Do a section or do it all; at your own pace - More than a walk, over half the track is suitable for bikes Relish the rich ochre of the Bells Beach cliffs, the deep blue of Bass Strait and the leafy green of eucalypt forects. Discover traditional Wathaurung country, fascinating surf culture and abundant wildlife as the walk connects you with the coastal town comforts of Torquay, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet.

Family Activities

Barwon Heads

Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary

Located near the mouth of Barwon River, Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary protects 17ha of predominately composed of reef. The eastern half of the reef is basalt, formed from lava flow, and is exposed to the flow of the river. The western side is old sandstone and influenced by ocean swell. On the outer edges of the reef are the wrecks of two ships. The variation in conditions across the reef results in the presence of a huge diversity of plants and animals. Visitors can see anything from feather stars and barnacles to rock lobsters, rays and schools of fish. Bull Kelp, sandstone arches and sponge gardens create a fascinating and complex underwater world. Before you go Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Barwon Heads

jirrahlinga-koala-wildlife-sanctuary

The Jirrahlinga Koala & Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on five acres of land on the Northern edge of Barwon Heads. Jirrahlinga, Aboriginal for 'Seek a home for a kangaroo', was established more than 30 years ago by Tehree Gordon to be a haven for injured wildlife. Following the Ash Wednesday Bush fires in 1983, Jirrahlinga received national and international media coverage acclaiming the rescue mission launched to seek out and treat shocked and burnt animals. However, Jirrahlinga is not just for distressed native animals, it is primarily about people. Particularly people who have a disability, a special need, the frail or the aged. What better therapy could there be than to come into a supportive environment to work quietly with animals or just visit and touch a koala or joey that do not place demands on a person's physical or mental capacities.

Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove Nature Reserve

The Ocean Grove Nature Reserve is the only preserved native woodland on the Bellarine Peninsula. Home to 178 species of native plants, including 22 orchids, the reserve is an important tract of land. Wildlife within the reserve includes wallabies, echidnas, possums and koalas. There are also snakes and lizards, as well as some 167 species of bird recorded as being spotted within the reserve.

Werribee

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Why travel thousands of kilometres, when a taste of African adventure is available just 30 minutes from Melbourne's city centre, at Werribee Open Range Zoo, you'll find an amazing array of animals living on 225 hectares of wide, open savanna. On the Pula Reserve Walking Trail, come face-to-face with amazing gorillas, a pride of lions, see monkeys and cheetahs at play and discover a family of hippopotamus at the Kubu River Hippopotamus exhibit. No trip to the Zoo is complete without heading out on safari across grassy plains where you'll find rhinoceros, giraffes, zebras and antelopes grazing together on the picturesque savanna. All of the above, including the 40-minute safari tour, is included in the Zoo admission price. For those looking for even more adventure, then why not try one of the behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters. Touch a rhinoceros, feed a giraffe, stroke a serval and see amazing animals up close from the open vehicle. Don't miss the latest attractions that are exhibiting at Werribee Open Range Zoo. They have one of the world's largest gorilla exhibits and the new-look luxury Slumber Safari overnight accommodation. Visit the website for more details.

Beaches

Barwon Heads

Barwon Heads Bluff

The tidal flows at the mouth of the Barwon River have created an amazing landscape at the Barwon Heads Bluff. It is one of the best spots in the region to observe marine life in rockpools. More than 90% of the creatures found at the Bluff are only found in Southern Australia and nowhere else in the world. The Bluff has an enormous diversity of seaweeds from tiny encrusting pink coralline algae to mighty forests of giant and bull kelps. There are many different species of fish, snails, seastars, and other invertebrates that all make the Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary their home. The high lookout at the bluff has views towards Port Phillip Heads to the east and along the Surf Coast to the West.

Packages & Offers

See, Do, Stay & Save

Welcome to goTravlr, your passport to great deals in Geelong, the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road.

BIG 4 Beacon Resort Blues Train Package

A unique musical experience! Toe tapping entertainment, a cool drink and a good laugh. Rock your stay in Queenscliff with Blues Train tickets and award winning accommodation at BIG4 Beacon Resort.

Seahaven Village - Taste of The Bellarine $495

Relax at stunning Barwon Heads Friday and Saturday night in a cosy 4.5 star one bedroom spa suite.

Barwon Heads Golf Club Winter Escape

$240 per couple per night

Nature & Wildlife

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Nature & Wildlife

Things to See & Do

Family Activities

Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary

jirrahlinga-koala-wildlife-sanctuary

Ocean Grove Nature Reserve

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Beaches

Barwon Heads Bluff

Where Can I Stay?

What Can I Do?

Where Can I Eat & Drink?

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Packages & Offers

See, Do, Stay & Save

BIG 4 Beacon Resort Blues Train Package

Seahaven Village - Taste of The Bellarine $495

Barwon Heads Golf Club Winter Escape