Great South West Walk - Trewalla Camping Area to Mallee Camping Area (Cape Nelson State Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Cape Nelson Lighthouse Reserve)

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Great South West Walk - Trewalla Camping Area to Mallee Camping Area (Cape Nelson State Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Cape Nelson Lighthouse Reserve)

Traverse the white sandy beach of Bridgewater Bay along the Trewalla Camping Area to Mallee Camping Area section of the Great South West Walk. Step back in time at the historic Cape Nelson Lighthouse and learn of the shipwrecks that lie in the depths of the Southern Ocean off Cape Nelson.

How to get there

Great South West Walk - Trewalla Camping Area to Mallee Camping Area (Cape Nelson State Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Cape Nelson Lighthouse Reserve)

Need to know

Great South West Walk - Trewalla Camping Area to Mallee Camping Area (Cape Nelson State Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Cape Nelson Lighthouse Reserve)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

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. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

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.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

No fires permitted
No horses
No dogs, cats, pets allowed
No camping
No bicycles
No generators
No drones without a permit
No firearms allowed
No vehicles

Warnings

Terrain hazards
Unstable cliffs

Slippery surface
Water hazards
Rough Surf
Other warnings
Unpatrolled area

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

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.

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.

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