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Brisbane
Ranges
National
Park
Between
Geelong
and
Bacchus
Marsh
is
the
Brisbane
Ranges
National
Park
which
is
famous
for
its
wildflowers
and
popular
with
bird-watchers.
This
area
is
filled
with
well-preserved
reminders
of
the
region's
history,
including
the
old
mining
town
of
Steiglitz
which
is
located
in
the
Brisbane
Ranges
and
is
now
a
historic
park.
All
that
is
left
of
what
was
once
a
booming
township
is
the
courthouse
and
remnants
of
several
buildings
and
mines.
Otway
National
Park
The
road
now
traces
inland,
right
through
the
heart
of
the
beautiful
Otway
National
Park.
Take
the
time
to
explore
it.
Malt's
Rest
is
particularly
popular
with
its
series
of
boardwalks
and
on-site
information
weaving
through
the
fernery.
You
can
stroll
through
the
rainforest
at
your
leisure,
tour
by
cycle
or
see
it
on
horseback.
Some
of
the
trail
rides
last
up
to
seven
days.
Some
of
the
tallest
trees
in
the
world
are
found
at
the
Otway
Ranges.
Giant
mountain
ash
gums,
enchanting
fern
gullies
and
thick
stands
of
myrtle
beech
will
delight
you.
Journey
off
the
beaten
track
to
Cape
Otway.
Fifteen
thousand
years
ago
this
point
was
connected
to
the
north-west
tip
of
Tasmania,
Australia's
southern
island
state.
More
recently,
however,
in
Australia's
colonial
days,
it
became
known
for
the
famous
lighthouse.
Ships
which
had
been
at
sea
for
months
without
seeing
land,
saw
this
light
as
a
welcoming
symbol
and
a
profound
reassurance
after
crossing
some
of
the
world's
loneliest
seas.
Tower
Hill
Tower
Hill
is
a
comparatively
young,
but
extinct
volcano.
The
crater
formed
only
7500
years
ago.
It
was
declared
Victoria's
first
National
Park
in
1892
and
is
now
a
State
Game
Reserve.
Since
1961
a
revegetation
and
native
animal
restocking
program
has
returned
the
area
to
its
natural
state.
Today
it
is
rich
in
bird
life
and
Cape
Barren
and
magpie
geese,
ducks,
spoonbills
and
emus
can
be
seen
on
nature
walks
throughout
the
reserve.
Lower
Glenleg
National
Park
The
white,
steep-walled
limestone
river
gorge
of
the
Glenelg
River
is
breathtaking,
and
canoeing,
fishing
and
cruising
are
popular
activities.
Also
within
the
park
are
the
Princess
Margaret
Rose
Caves.
The
main
cave
is
the
most
attractive
and
is
accessible
to
the
public.
Within
it
you
will
see
excellent
examples
of
actively
forming
stalactites,
stalagmites,
and
other
spectacular
limestone
formations.
Alternatively,
a
river
cruise
can
provide
spectacular
sights
while
you
enjoy
an
on-board
Devonshire
Tea.
Cape
Bridgewater
From
Portland
the
road
continues
west
and
runs
parallel
with
the
coastline,
passing
close
by
several
National
Parks.
At
the
eastern
end
of
Bridgewater
Bay
is
the
Cape
Nelson
State
Park
which
houses
a
century-old
lighthouse
that
is
open
for
free
tours.
Sheltering
the
most
westerly
section
of
Victoria's
coastline
is
the
Discovery
Bay
Coastal
Park.
This
is
a
vast
stretch
of
unspoilt
ocean
beach
with
huge
rolling
sand
dunes
and
tranquil
lakes
and
swamps.
The
park
has
dramatically
changing
moods
-
it
can
be
a
very
friendly
or
a
very
hostile
environment,
but
this
contributes
to
the
intrigue
which
surrounds
the
park.
Within
the
Mount
Richmond
National
Park
is
the
extinct
volcano,
Mount
Richmond.
Walking
through
this
park,
you
may
also
spot
eastern
grey
kangaroos,
koalas
and
red-necked
wallabies.
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