Victoria · Attraction
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
Wildlife inside a volcano
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve sits inside a large volcanic maar crater formed roughly 30,000 years ago, 18 kilometres west of Warrnambool on the Princes Highway. The reserve is free to enter and open every day, offering the rare chance to walk among free-roaming emus, kangaroos, koalas, and echidnas in a landscape of wetlands, crater peaks and lava flows.
The volcanic landform at Tower Hill is one of the most significant geological and ecological sites in Victoria. European settlement stripped the crater of its vegetation, but a sustained revegetation program begun in the 1960s has transformed the reserve back into thriving habitat. Today many kangaroos and koalas roam the crater floor, with wallabies, blue wrens, black swans and seasonal reptiles also commonly seen.
Several walking tracks suit different fitness levels. The Peak Climb is a steep trail with panoramic views across the coast. The Wagon Bay Loop circles the central pond in around 30 minutes, while the Lava Tongue Boardwalk crosses the wetlands on a gentle, mostly flat route suitable for prams and wheelchairs.
The visitor centre, a striking 1960s building designed by architect Robin Boyd and managed by the Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative, offers guided walks and cultural heritage programs that provide a deeper connection to the Kirrae Wurrong people.
Scenic views
