Explore
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary is situated on the sheltered rocky shores of north-western Port Phillip. Protecting 290ha of shoreline, it's the largest of Victoria's marine parks and sanctuaries.
The sandy beaches, rocky reefs and mudflats are home to a diversity of marine and coastal life. Off the coast, a series of basalt cliffs rise from the muddy seafloor — the remains of a lava flow that poured along the plains thousands of years ago.
Beneath the water, countless marine animals and plants can be found. Exposed sections of rock support a range of life including tube worms, anemones and many different colourful algae. Prickly sea urchins are abundant near crevices, while sponges grow plentifully in dark corners. Small sharks and skates patrol the surrounding eelgrass beds and muddy seafloor.
Pods of bottlenose dolphins visit the sanctuary and in late summer, swarms of jellyfish pulsate over the reef.
The area is also internationally significant for its importance to migratory wader birds. Many bird species feed here, including the Double-banded Plover and the Lesser Golden Plover.
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary is popular for a range of activities such as beach walking, bird watching and sightseeing.
This is a great spot for scuba diving and snorkelling. Divers and snorkellers may be lucky enough to encounter an entertaining fish called the Southern Blennie or be able to spot a Pipefish hidden in the seagrass. On the right day, unsuspecting snorkellers may come across large aggregations of Southern fiddler rays, basking in the shallow sandy areas of the sanctuary. There are also two heritage-listed shipwrecks in the park, the Henrietta and the Diane, which can be explored by both divers and snorkellers.
Things To Do
Beach walking
Rockpooling
Snorkelling and diving
Photography and bird watching
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary
This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:
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.
How to get there
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary
Need to know
Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary
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.
Safety
Check the weather conditions prior to your visit and avoid the sanctuary during storm and weather events. As with all in-water activities, take caution and ensure you remain safe around the water. Never undertake any activity that is beyond your health, fitness, experience and training levels.
When visiting the sanctuary, look out for resident snakes and the cryptic blue ringed octopus, both of which can give a life-threatening bite if startled by human visitors – never walk through long grass or shrubs, or stick your finger into a hidden rock pool crevice.
Take your time traversing the slippery and uneven rocks of the sanctuary.
The Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary is quite remote, so always make sure someone knows where you are visiting and when to expect you home!
How we keep it special
The Management Plan for Point Cooke Marine Sanctuary directs all aspects of management in the parks until the plan is reviewed.
Marine national parks and sanctuaries exist to protect Victoria’s unique and diverse marine ecosystem, and the many plants and animals that live in them. People are encouraged to visit and be mindful to not have a negative impact on the area when enjoying these special places.
To protect and preserve marine biodiversity, any extractive or damaging activities (e.g. any type of fishing, collecting or taking of anything) is prohibited. This will help to maintain or enhance the condition of these areas.
All methods of fishing from the shore or at sea are prohibited, including fishing, netting, spearing, taking or killing of marine life. The taking or damaging of animals, plants and objects (artefacts) is also prohibited.
There are strong penalties under the National Parks Act for fishing in Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries. To report a fishing offence call Fisheries Victoria on 13 FISH (13 3474).
Parks Victoria Rangers and the Marine Care Point Cooke volunteer group work hard to protect this special area. We conduct regular volunteer activities, including marine monitoring, marine pest management activities, and beach clean up events. If you would like to get involved visit Marine Care Point Cooke's Facebook page, or www.parkconnect.vic.gov.au.