Western Port - Cowes
Formerly a major river drainage system inundated by the rising sea in the Holocene period, the Western Port sunkland now forms an extensive tidal bay. The waters of Western Port cover an area of 680 square kilometres of which 270 square km, are exposed as mud flats at low tide.
Things to Do
* Two large islands, French Island (approximately 170 square km) and Phillip Island (approximately 100 square km), dominate Western Port. The coastline, including that of the islands, is some 263 kilometres.
* Fishing, pleasure boating and yachting are some of the popular pastimes on the bay.
Phillip Island
* Visit the Penguin Reserve at dusk and watch the penguins return to their burrows in the sand dunes.
* View seals at Seal Rocks through binoculars,
* See koalas in their natural habitat at the Koala Conservation Centre.
* Bird watching is best at Rhyll Swamp, Conservation Hill Reserve and Rhyll Inlet.
* Explore nearby Churchill Island on foot.
French Island
* Pre-booked bus for 'Drop and pick up later' service for those who wish to participate in sketching, photography, bushwalking or bird observing or visit orchid and fishing areas.
* Horse riding, bike rides, bushwalks, and deep water fishing.
* See koalas in their natural habitat.
* Camping is at Fairhaven, 5 kilometres from the Tankerton jetty and at a private site, Bayview, 10 kilometres from the jetty. Bus transport of packs to campsite.