Lobster Pot - Barwon Estuary Heritage Centre

Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary

Victoria's Marine National Parks & Sanctuaries

About the Bluff

Life Above Waves

Life Below Waves

Educational Resources

Resources / Glossary

This project has been produced in partnership with Parks Victoria logo

ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE Wathaurong, wada Wurrung people are the original inhabitants of this region. Various clans were known to have seasonal camps in the plentiful estuary and coastal areas. The centre captures attributes of their spiritual and living experience through story panels - wisdom, life in the estuary, renew and renourish, and the future. The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative supports indigenous people in this region and delivers services to all. MARINE LIFE The Barwon River rises in the Otway Ranges and eventually winds its way through Geelong and Lake Connewarre till it meets the sea, where the Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary is found. A great abundance of marine life exists, both in the estuary, and in Bass Strait. The basalt rock and limestone shelves with their rock pools are teeming with a myriad of marine life including sea grasses, molluscs and crustaceans. Many species of fish are found in the estuary, notably eels and mulloway. MANGROVES The White Mangroves are superbly adapted to withstand a harsh and constantly changing environment. Mangroves have pneumatophores- which trap sediment and nutrients and act as breathing roots above the mud surface. FLORA & FAUNA The Bluff provides a range of significant habitats. The rugged cliff faces are home to kites, kestrels and falcons The Bluff has more than 80 indigenous species of hardy yet fragile coastal wild flowers and shrubs Echidna wander the Bluff Beach areas are home to the rare and threatened Hooded Plover. The estuary is a regular stopover for dozens of species of migratory shore birds Eels pass through on their journey to and from the Coral Sea Saltmarsh plants are important in the estuary
SHIPWRECKS Along this rugged coast many ships have foundered and of particular note is the 1853 immigrant ship, The Earl of Charlemont, with 366 passengers aboard which struck a reef one mile south west of the Barwon Heads Bluff. This reef is now known as Charlemont Reef.
GEOLOGY The Bluff as seen today is weathered by time and tide. The Bluff is an ancient sand dune perched on a much older basalt base. Lake Connewarre wetlands were formed as sea levels rose trapping sediments in the older river valley.
LOCAL HISTORY William Buckley is credited with being the first European to live with the indigenous people in the area (1803-1835). Fishing and Sunday promenading were the mainstays of the early townships. A significant event in the history of the two towns was the construction of the bridge over the Barwon River in 1927. A major catalogue of historical photographs has been obtained from residents; well worth a browse.
*Return to the Lobster Pot*
For further information about the estuary and surrounding areas visit www.barwonheads.net
Thanks to Ron Beggs and Martin Klabbers for the information and images for this page.