PARKNOTES
Lake Connewarre
State Game Reserve
Visitor Guide
In one of the largest estuaries in Western Victoria, Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve
has a variety of swamps, marshes, lakes and river areas. This complex environment has a
wide range of vegetation communities providing habitat for estuarine flora and fauna unique to
the area.
Enjoying the park
Have a picnic
Taits Point has excellent panoramic views of Lake
Connewarre and the surrounding escarpment
from two viewing platforms. Other picnic sites
include the historic Sheepwash on the Barwon
River and Jock McCorkell Reserve.
Catch a fish
A number of fishing platforms and a boardwalk
provide good access to the river upstream at
Barwon Heads. The main catches are Bream,
Yellowed Eyed Mullet, Redfin and Mulloway.
A recreational fishing licence is required by all
anglers. Illegal fishing should be reported to
13 FISH (13 3474).
Go boating
Internationally Significant
Wetlands
Taits Point has a boat ramp suitable for launching
small craft – canoes, kayaks and small fishing
boats. Note there is no vehicle access to the boat
ramp.
Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve is a
complex wetland ecosystem linked to the sea by
the Barwon River. In 1983 the Reserve was
declared by the Victorian Government as a
“wetland of international significance” under the
Ramsar convention.
Sail boarding is also popular in the main lake.
A five knot speed restriction applies to all powered
craft within Lake Connewarre, the Barwon River
downstream from the Second Break, including all
port waters.
The reserve provides significant habitat for a
number of endangered migratory bird species.
Two international agreements with Japan and
China ensure species such as Greenshank,
Eastern Golden Plover and Red-knecked Stints
are protected.
Duck Hunting
Duck hunting is permitted within designated areas
of the reserve during the declared duck hunting
season.
The reserve is dominated by two very different
lakes, Lake Connewarre and Reedy Lake. The
water quality and plant communities of Lake
Connewarre are influenced by daily tidal changes
with lake water coming from the sea via the
Barwon River.
Groups such as Geelong Field and Game,
Geelong Rod and Gun Club and Workers for
Wetlands undertake conservation works
throughout the reserve outside of the hunting
season.
For more information on hunting in the Lake
Connewarre State Game Reserve, or how you
can help look after the reserve, contact Parks
Victoria on 13 1963.
Reedy Lake is a brackish fresh water lake and is
almost completely covered by water plants
including tall stands of Phragmities and
Cumbungi. Water levels within the lake are
artificially altered to replicate a more natural cycle.
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For further information
Parks Victoria
Information Centre
Call 13 1963
or visit the
Parks Victoria website
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Queenscliff Visitor
Information Centre
55 Hesse Street
Queenscliff VIC 3225
Phone: (03) 5258 4843
Caring for the
environment
Help us look after your park
by following these guidelines:
Please take all rubbish with
you for recycling or disposal
All plants, animals, historical
and archaeological sites and
geographic features are
protected by law
Dogs and other pets are not
permitted in the park
Barwon River Parklands
There are over 26km of walking and cycling
paths along the Barwon River. There are also
gold courses, fishing and viewing platforms,
playgrounds, public toilets and picnic areas.
The Barwon River provides for canoeing,
kayaking and water skiing.
Below are just a few of the places to visit along
the river.
Buckley Falls Park
Enjoy stunning river and valley views from the
lookout. Buckley Falls can be reached by car
or via the sealed walking/cycling path from
nearby Queens Park.
Balyang Sanctuary
The sanctuary is a haven for birds - swans,
pelicans, Eurasian coot, dusky moorhen,
Pacific black duck, mallard, pied cormorant,
geese and silver gulls. Riverside walking/bike
paths link Balyang Sanctuary with other parks
along the Barwon River.
Ocean Grove Nature Conservation Reserve
Explore one of the last remaining parcels of
native vegetation on the Bellarine Peninsula.
The reserve has an information centre that is
open on weekends. A number of interesting
walks start from the reserve’s picnic area.
Firearms are prohibited
No fires, including barbecues,
may be lit on a day of Total Fire
Ban. Lake Connewarre State
Game Reserve is in the
Central Total Fire Ban District
It is your responsibility to
know if it is a day of Total
Fire Ban. If in doubt call the
Victorian Bushfire
Information Line
on 1800 240 667
Park closures - Be prepared to
leave early as extreme
weather may cause the
closure of some park areas
for public safety
Collect only dead wood from
the ground for campfires
Vehicles, including motor bikes,
may only be used on formed
open roads. Drivers must be
licensed and vehicles
registered and roadworthy
Healthy Parks Healthy People
Visiting a park can improve
your health, mind, body and
soul. So, with over four million
hectares of parkland available
to Victorians, why not escape
to a park today!
White Mangroves
The banks of the Barwon River form the most
western occurrence of white mangrove in
Australia. White mangroves are uniquely
equipped to survive in muddy and salty
conditions. The mangrove root system allows the
plant to breathe whilst exposed at low tide.
The mangroves play an important role in the food
chain and biodiversity by providing an excellent
source of food and shelter for many species of
fish, animals and birdlife. Looking after these plant
species will ensure adequate food stocks for fish
and protect fishing opportunities.
Unfortunately the mangroves along the lower
Barwon River are in decline due to pressure from
the impact of people. Walking and fishing along
the river edge damage the sensitive streamside
mangroves and salt marsh communities.
You can help protect the mangroves and wetlands
by staying on designated walking tracks and using
fishing platforms while fishing. This will ensure
future food stocks for fish, animals and birdlife.
Birdlife
The reserve is a popular site for bird watching with
one hundred and forty nine recorded species of
birds. Birds such as Strawnecked and Sacred ibis
along with Yellowed-billed spoonbills regularly use
breeding sites in the area.
The river edges and tidal mudflats along the lower
Barwon River provide excellent habitat for egrets,
gulls, terns, pelicans and cormorants. The tidal
flow allows aquatic invertebrates and small fish to
move up the river, providing a valuable food
source for these species.
Another significant visitor to the reserve is the
Orange-bellied Parrot. Breeding in Tasmania over
summer, this species migrates north via Bass
Strait islands to Victoria’s coastline for the winter.
It is thought that Lake Connewarre forms one of
only five known over-winter sites.
Be fire ready and stay safe
Many parks and forests are located in high fire risk
areas. On days of forecast Code Red Fire
Danger this park will be closed for public
safety.
If you are already in the park you should leave the
night before or early in the morning for your own
safety.
Closure signs will be erected and rangers will
patrol where possible, however you may not
receive a personal warning that the park is closed
so check the latest conditions by calling 13 1963
or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.
For up to date information on fires in Victoria or
general fire safety advice call the Victorian
Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.
How to get there
The reserve is situated on the Bellarine Peninsula
approximately 65km south west of Melbourne and
8km south east of Geelong.
Lake Connewarre can be accessed from
Brimsmead Lane, Mollers Lane, Wallington Road
and Barwon Heads Road.
Taits Point Picnic Area can be accessed from
Staceys Road.
Reedy Lake can be accessed via Coppards Road,
Calder Street, Moolap Station Road, Whitehorse
Road and O’Hallarons Road.
December 2010
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