Explorer George Bass set off on an epic adventure in 1797 from Sydney Cove to prove that there did indeed exist a strait between New South Wales and Tasmania. What he found on his voyage was the beautiful coastline of Victoria along a stretch of water that is now called the Bass Strait.
The region that extends along this Strait is called the Bass Coast and it offers a diversity of panoramic coastal views, pounding surf, and unique flora and fauna. It also offers some of the most picturesque coastal walking trails in Victoria, including Victoria’s only coastal railtrail.
George Bass Coastal Walk
This walk offers enthusiasts the chance to follow the route of George Bass’ journey along the coastline between San Remo and Kilcunda in the Bass Coast region.
Nearly 30 years after George Bass discovered this area by boat, another explorer, William Hovell, set to explore it by foot, of which he depicted in his diary, “…the land here is high, soil light but not good, very thick of low stunted trees with low bush…the land ends abruptly towards the bay and the opposite side of the entrance, facing Cape Woolamai and in many parts ends in perpendicular bluffs.”
This was a good portrayal of the landscape that still remains today. Although a lot of the vegetation has been destroyed by grazing, many native plants including White Correa, Sea Box and Tea Tree still cling to the windswept cliff tops.
This two hour coastal walk is situated on the original land of the Bunurong indigenous people. Starting at Punch Bowl, near the Phillip Island Tourist Road, the walk covers 7km of history, flora and fauna.
Along the track there are also excellent opportunities for bird watching and throughout winter Southern Right Wales on their migration trail can be spotted from the cliff tops.
Bass Coast Rail Trail
The 16 km rail trail is an ideal day trip on foot, cycling or even horse riding. Starting in Wonthaggi, 2 hours from Melbourne on the Bass Coast, it is suitable for a weekend stroll or an all out adventure.
The Bass Coast Rail Trail is Victoria’s only rail trail and covers the abandoned railway corridor from Wonthaggi Railway Station north east to Anderson Station. It offers wonderful scenery from beautiful and calming ocean views to barren historic farmland.
From Wonthaggi, the walk crosses the longest bridge over the Powlett River, through open farmland into Dalyston – the perfect spot for a picnic. Then towards the coast, the trail heads to Kilcunda, which spectacular coastal views from this seaside town, crossing the famous Bourne Creek Trestle Bridge. After passing through the notable Mitchell Mine Historic Reserve in Kilcunda, the trail ends in Anderson.
Screw Creek Nature Walk
The Screw Creek Nature Walk at the Anderson Inlet, Inverloch affords stunning views of the Townsend Bluff and the coast, while taking you through coastal dunes, salt-water swamps, across the estuarine creek while discovering a diverse variety of plant communities and natural vegetation.
The 2.5 km walking track, which starts in Inverloch, is a continuation of the Esplanade at Andersons Inlet. The first landscape to uncover is the coastal dunes, which is actually a sophisticated vegetated dune system. Kangaroo Fruit is abundant, however in 1995, very high tides killed off the Tea Trees. Though the tides inundated the area, it is still a pretty walk through sandy soil and dune vegetation.
The walk crosses the Screw Creek Bridge, which was built in 1971, and provides a good view of the White Mangrove, the mudflats and assorted wildlife including small crabs and local native water birds.
The view from the top is a constantly changing landscape, where parts of the Bunurong Marine Park can be seen to the west and the Blackwood forest from the cliff top. The Loop Track at the end of the walk takes you through a world of native plants and animals. Where paperbark forests and kangaroo grass hide lazy wombats and curious echidnas searching for their next feed.
For more information about these and other walking trails in Victoria, visit the Parks Victoria website or the Visit Victoria website.
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