Discovery Bay Marine National Park

PORTLAND, Victoria

Discovery Bay is Victoria’s marine gateway to the Great Australian Bight and the immense expanse of the Southern Ocean. Situated 20km west of Portland and covering 2770ha, this park protects part of the largest coastal basalt formation in western Victoria. These basalt rocks were formed from lava which cooled and hardened over the last million years. The park is framed by the cliffs of Cape Bridgewater to the east and the white sand dunes of Discovery Bay to the north.

The dynamic history of the coast is also depicted underwater. In deep water (30-60m) there are low reefs forms from ancient shorelines or dunes when the sea-levels were much lower than today. Between these reefs, there are plains of sand winnowed into symmetrical ridges by the endless movement of the water.

There is a rich diversity of fascinating marine life within this park due to the cold, nutrient rich waters of the area. The deep calcarenite reefs support technicoloured sponge gardens whilst the shallower reefs are covered in a brown alga, Ecklonia radiata. One can find majestic fish and a diverse array of invertebrates including Southern Rock Lobster, Black-lip Abalone and gorgonians. The waters also support Great White Sharks and during the summer breeding season, Blue Whales.

Rockpools

Whites Beach has a small intertidal area for exploration. Common species of seaweed on the intertidal reefs include Neptune’s Necklace, Sea Lettuce and a range of encrusting red algae. Barnacles, seastars, elephant snails, sea urchins anemones and crabs all live in and around the rockpools....

Find out more about Rockpools...

Other parks within 40km of Discovery Bay Marine National Park

• Mount Richmond National Park

  11.4 km from Discovery Bay Marine National Park

• Lower Glenelg National Park

  38 km from Discovery Bay Marine National Park

• Cobboboonee National Park

  24.2 km from Discovery Bay Marine National Park

• Discovery Bay Coastal Park

  11.8 km from Discovery Bay Marine National Park