Explore
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
Tower Hill is home to some of Australia's best loved wildlife. Emus, kangaroos, koalas, swans, ducks and blue wrens all live inside this magnificent dormant volcano near the Great Ocean Road. Walk across wetlands, craters and bushland and learn how the park was exploited by early settlers before being restored by volunteers.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve sits in a large volcanic crater. It is one of Victoria's most fascinating and significant geological formations. Volcanic cone-shaped hills rise from the lakes. It's a short detour from the Great Ocean Road and offers ample walking opportunities for people of all abilities – from easy boardwalks to scenic climbs.
Join a tour run by experienced local guides to discover how Tower Hill was transformed from a desolate wasteland to the park you see today - and the dedicated volunteers who made it happen. Visit the Tower Hill Visitor Centre, designed by celebrated Australian architect Robin Boyd.
Things to do in the area
Tower Hill Visitor Centre
Family activities
Picnics
Wildlife viewing
Tower Hill
This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:
Tours in the area
Bushwalking, four-wheel driving, horse riding, kayaking, rock climbing and mountain biking are just some of the many activities you can experience in Victoria's parks.
If you want to try something new or meet some like-minded people on your next visit to a park, contact a licensed tour operator.
Parks Victoria licenses tour operators who are experts in these activities and more. They will help you get the most out of your visit.
How to get there
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
Tower Hill Reserve is located 18 km west of Warrnambool and can be accessed from the Princes Highway.
When you're there
Need to know
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
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.
How we keep it special
Parks Victoria, Warrnambool City Council and Moyne Shire Council commissioned the Tower Hill Future Directions Strategy, delivered in August 2002, to guide the future direction of Tower Hill State Game Reserve.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is one of Victoria's most important ecological and geological sites formed by volcanic eruptions nearly 30,000 years ago. You can enjoy a range of self-guided walks through magnificent scenery and see some of Australia's most iconic wildlife in their natural habitat. Local tourism operators offer a unique eco-tourism experience where you can learn about wildlife, environmental conservation and sustainability, and local Aboriginal history.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. It is classified by the National Trust as a site of international significance for scientific reasons, including geology and re-vegetation work, and national significance for aesthetic and cultural reasons, including the historic and social aspects of the site. [source: Victorian Heritage Database Report]
