Tower Hill State Game Reserve

Meet koalas, emus, kangaroos and many species of waterbirds roaming freely in Tower Hill State Game Reserve, which sits inside an extinct volcano. Formed some 30,000 years ago in a violent volcanic eruption that created a funnel-shaped crater (later filled by a lake), creeks and islands, Tower Hill's vegetation was originally very diverse, until early European settlers cleared much of it for grazing, leaving the area bare with little wildlife remaining until it was restored in the late 1950s. Noted Victorian artist Eugene von Guerard had painted an exceptionally detailed picture of Tower Hill in 1855 and this was used to identify the species for the replanting program. View the painting at the Warrnambool Art Gallery. Visit the Natural History Centre to experience the history and evolution of Tower Hill.

Wander through more than 300,000 trees that provide a natural habitat for many animals. There are over 200 kangaroos and koalas in this tiny crater-bound ecosystem, and many live around the visitor car park. Emus, echidnas and waterbirds are also abundant. Boardwalks, nesting boxes and a birdhide have been constructed to assist bird watchers in catching a glimpse of many birds, including chestnut teal, musk dusks, and spoonbills.