Discovery Bay Coastal Park

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    Discovery Bay Coastal Park

    Discovery Bay offers a range of coastal environments with spectacular scenic values, including rugged cliffs, extensive beaches, mobile dune fields, wetlands and woodland forest communities. Victoria's highest coastal cliffs and the Cape Nelson lighthouse are located at the eastern end of Discovery Bay. The Cape Bridgewater fur seal colony is also a significant feature of the Park. A significant dune system extends from Nelson to Whites Beach limiting vehicle access to a few locations.

    Things to do in the area

     
    A tent set up next to trees at Lake Monibeong at Discovery Bay Coastal Park

    Lake Mombeong Campground

    Camp on the coast at this quiet and secluded location where the tranquil waters of Lake Mombeong beckon.
    A tent set up next a medium tree and framed by the canopy of a ute at Swan Lake Campground at Discovery Bay Coastal Park

    Swan Lake Campground

    Experience the vast, mobile sand dunes a short distance from the campground. Walk along the track towards the beach and marvel at the immense height and sheer walls of the dunes.
    Mum helps her young son as he jumps off a large piece of drift wood at West Cape Beach.

    Beaches

    Walk white sandy beaches, swim in cool coastal waters or surf the wild waves of the Southern Ocean.
    Snorkelling at Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary

    Discover an underwater world

    If you’re looking for the best places to see underwater ecosystems and encounter marine wildlife, look no further! We’ve rounded up some of the best ways to explore marine protected areas. So, pack your togs, wetsuit, a mask and snorkel and head to the coast!
    A couple watch the sunset at a picnic table on the edge of Lake Catani at Mount Buffalo National Park.

    Sunrises and sunsets

    Spectacular sunsets from the summits and to west, and picturesque sunrises in the east , top-and-tail your day the perfect way.
    Father and son bird watching on boardwalk

    Bird watching

    From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
    A couple looks on at a Wombat on Wilsons Promontory National Park,

    Wildlife viewing

    Get up close and personal with some of Australia's shy native wildlife or look up to spot tree-dwelling mammals and flocks of colourful birds,

    Wildlife and Nature

    This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:

    Koalas
    Fish
    Seals

    Tours and adventure experiences in parks

    One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

    There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

    Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more. 

    Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.

    Find a Licensed Tour Operator

    How to get there

    Discovery Bay Coastal Park

    Discovery Bay Coastal Park is in south-west Victoria between Portland and Nelson adjoining the SA border, about 420kms from Melbourne and 490kms from Adelaide. The major access roads into the Park are The Blowholes Road, Scenic Drive and the Portland - Nelson Road. 
    Discovery Bay Coastal Park

    When you're there

    Download the campground maps too see site locations prior to booking

    Related Sites

    Need to know

    Discovery Bay Coastal Park

    Accessibility

    Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

    Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

    Change of Conditions

    Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

      Cape Nelson Lighthouse temporarily closed

      Cape Nelson Lighthouse will temporarily close from Monday 14 November until further notice to enable refurbishment works of the Lighthouse station. Please note the accommodation and café will remain open for trading during this period, and a new access route has been implemented for the Great Southwest Walk through the Reserve and State Park to allow access to Isabella's Café. Additional wayfinding has been installed and the track assessed to ensure public safety.

    • Discovery Bay Coastal Park

      Lifejackets Required For Rock Fishers from March 1, 2022

      A two-year trial of new laws that require rock fishers to wear a lifejacket at high-risk locations will commence on 1 March 2022.
       
      For Discovery Bay Coastal Park this includes:
       
      • Rock platform near blowholes carpark at Cape Bridgewater
       
      This factsheet includes maps of the affected areas.
       
      Fines apply if you don’t wear a lifejacket at these sites.
       
      To find out more, visit Victorian Fisheries Authority 

    How we keep it special

    The Ngootyoong Gunditj Ngootyoong Mara South West Management Plan is a strategic guide for managing and protecting over 130 parks, reserves and Indigenous Protected Areas in south-west Victoria, including Discovery Bay Coastal Park.

    Parks Victoria

    13 1963
    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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