Bunurong Marine National Park

Stretching along Victoria’s dramatic Bass Strait coast, Bunurong Marine National Park is a wild, windswept wonderland of craggy cliffs, sea caves and rock pools. Named after the local Bunurong people, this protected marine sanctuary offers some of the state’s best snorkelling and diving, with kaleidoscopic sponge gardens, kelp forests and abundant marine life. The park’s rugged coastline is also a fossil-hunter’s dream, with ancient whale and dolphin remains embedded in the rock. It’s a place where the raw power of the Southern Ocean meets rich Indigenous and natural history – perfect for self-drive explorers seeking a raw, untamed coastal escape.

Highlights & What to See

• Eagles Nest – A dramatic sea cave and blowhole where waves surge through a narrow cleft. Time your visit for high tide to see the spray erupt.
• Shack Bay – Sheltered sandy cove ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Look for colourful sea stars, anemones and the occasional weedy sea dragon.
• Fossil sites – The park is famous for its Miocene-era fossils, including the skeletons of ancient whales and dolphins. Informative signage explains the geology.
• Rockpool rambling – Low tide reveals a world of tiny crabs, hermit crabs and sea snails in the pools around the headlands.
• Scenic coastal walk – The Bunurong Coastal Walk offers breathtaking views of the cliffs and ocean, with opportunities to spot seabirds and migrating whales.

Suggested Time to Spend

Half a day is enough to explore the main viewpoints and take a short walk or snorkel. For a more immersive experience, allow a full day to linger at the beaches, hike a longer section of the coastal trail, and search for fossils. The park is best visited between December and April when the weather is mild and the water is clearest.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Cape Paterson – A classic seaside town with a surf beach and the region’s best café scene, just a 10-minute drive east.
• Wonthaggi – Historic coal-mining town with a fascinating State Coal Mine museum and great local produce markets.
• Phillip Island – Famous for its Little Penguin Parade and dramatic coastal scenery, about an hour’s drive west.
• Wilson Promontory National Park – Victoria’s premier wilderness park with stunning hikes and pristine beaches, a 90-minute drive east.

Please check official sources for current details.