Things to Do

There are five self-guided walks at Tower Hill, each with a different theme.
- Peak Climb (orientation and geology - 30 mins, steep)
- Lava Tongue Boardwalk (wetlands - 30 mins, easy)
- Hat Island Habitat Track (revegetation - 45 mins, easy)
- Whurrong Walk (Aboriginal foods - 1 hour, easy)
- Journey to the Last Volcano (geology - 1 hour, moderate)

All walks start from the picnic area, except for the Whurrong walk, which begins near the bird hide. Additional tracks can be used to link several of the above walks.

Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre

Visit and enjoy the cultural displays and Authentic Aboriginal Products at this outstanding Visitor Centre which is managed by Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative.

The Centre is open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm, and weekends and public holidays 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Facilities
- A bird hide enables you to have a closer encounter with wildlife.
- Barbecues, picnic tables and toilets are provided.
- All coach tours and school groups must be pre-booked by contacting the ranger

For the latest information on track closures and park access, please see the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire smart. Follow the Parks Victoria checklist before travelling.

Local directions

Tower Hill is just off the Princes Highway 15 km north-west of Warrnambool and 275 km west of Melbourne. The reserve is open all year round.

Facilities

Activities

Additional business information

Heritage
Tower Hill formed at least 30,000 years ago when a hot rising basaltic magma came into contact with the subterranean water table. The violent explosion that followed created the funnel-shaped crater (later filled by a lake) and the islands seen today. Artefacts found in the volcanic ash layers show that Aborigines were living in the area at the time of the eruption. The Warrnambool area was a rich source of foods for the Koroitgundidj people, whose descendants retain special links with this country. The first confirmed sighting of Tower Hill by Europeans was by French explorers sailing with Captain Baudin aboard the Geographe in 1802. Tower Hill was declared Victoria's first National Park in 1892, in an attempt to halt the decline of the once majestic volcano. However, grazing, crop growing, quarrying and rubbish dumping continued and took their toll. By the 1950s the hills and islands were bare and little wildlife remained. Tower Hill was declared a State Game Reserve in 1961.