Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve: Address, Phone Number, Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve Reviews: 4.5/5
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
4.5
About
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve sits in a large volcanic crater. It is one of Victoria's most fascinating and significant geological formations. It's a short detour from the Great Ocean Road and offers ample walking opportunities for people of all abilities – from easy boardwalks to scenic climbs. Tower Hill is home to some of Australia's best loved wildlife. Emus, kangaroos, koalas, swans, ducks and blue wrens all live inside this magnificent dormant volcano. Walk across wetlands, craters and bushland and learn how the park was exploited by early settlers before being restored by volunteers. Join a tour run by experienced local guides to discover how Tower Hill was transformed from a desolate wasteland to the park you see today.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
9 within 5 kms

Mickey Bourke's Koroit Hotel
68
1.6 km$$ - $$$ • Irish • Bar • Pub

Koroit Country Bakehouse
25
1.7 km$ • Bakeries • Cafe • Australian

Noodledoof Brewing and Distilling Co.
35
1.7 km$$ - $$$ • Brew Pub • Bar • Australian

Izzys Restaurant Bar and Grill
40
1.7 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Grill

Little Thai House
61
1.7 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly

Poppies Cafe
20
1.8 km$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Fast food

Alex's Pizza & Wok
22
1.8 km$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Australian
Commercial Hotel
5
1.9 km$$ - $$$
Tiny Cafe
1
1.8 km
Attractions
4 within 10 kms
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Popular mentions
4.5
999 reviews
Excellent
603
Very good
316
Average
66
Poor
10
Terrible
4
wintercolleen
Canberra, Australia153 contributions
Feb. 2022
Seeing a emu out in the wild and a koala without a fence. The walking track was very good only problem is no seats. Very big information centre with lots of stuff
Written 17 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
605karen_123
Ararat, Australia5 contributions
Feb. 2022 • Family
It was ok. Didn't see koalas, which was disappointing as there used to be so many. I took family based on my previous experience, to see none was a little worrying actually.
Written 5 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Debra L
2 contributions
Dec. 2021 • Family
We were staying in port fairy for a few days and spent a morning completing some of the walks at Tower hill reserve and then up to the lookout. Loved the views, saw all sorts of wildlife and plenty of picnic tables for lunch after we tired ourselves out. We completed the lava tongue boardwalk path which was easy and then journey to the last volcano loop. The second walk really stretched my legs but I'm not very fit at all, great for our family of 4.
Written 22 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
nattas212017
Horsham, Australia32 contributions
Oct. 2021 • Family
Great park with beautiful views and tracks. Disappointed that the visitor centre was closed- just a closed sign no explanation. Also disappointing that the kid friendly track had water over it and we couldn’t get through, of course can’t help nature but it would of been nice to have a sign advising you couldn’t go all the way around. Saw two emus on the other side of the flooded track, a lot of dragon flies and a giant male kangaroo when driving out. A lot of seating and nice grassed area for picnics! Well signed and great information on signs.
Written 27 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stace K
Melbourne88 contributions
Mar. 2021
Great place to visit to get in touch with nature and be surrounded by the peaceful serenity of this area. The history is interesting, reading about the natural formations, the influence of colonisers in the area and ultimately restoring it back to natural, untouched beauty.
I highly recommend visiting on a weekday outside holidays or peak times. We basically had the park to ourselves. We walked up to the lookout for breathtaking views, birds soaring high over the lake and peeking at kangaroos resting in the wooded areas. We also did the swamp walk, it was fantastic to be surrounded by nature, searching for lizards and other fauna hiding in the reeds. We craned our necks through the tall gums to spot the koalas high up in the trees.
Definitely recommended for anyone who likes a walk, being in nature, spotting wildlife or learning about history and culture. Bring your picnic to have in the vast grounds and enjoy the quietness.
I highly recommend visiting on a weekday outside holidays or peak times. We basically had the park to ourselves. We walked up to the lookout for breathtaking views, birds soaring high over the lake and peeking at kangaroos resting in the wooded areas. We also did the swamp walk, it was fantastic to be surrounded by nature, searching for lizards and other fauna hiding in the reeds. We craned our necks through the tall gums to spot the koalas high up in the trees.
Definitely recommended for anyone who likes a walk, being in nature, spotting wildlife or learning about history and culture. Bring your picnic to have in the vast grounds and enjoy the quietness.
Written 7 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ricks12016
Melbourne, Australia201 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
This plac e is a beauty short drive to picnic tables and walking trails. Wildlife not very far away from you at anytime. A terrific place to picnic and enjoy the fresh air. Noticed a Koala when we were leaving. Great place.
Written 30 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Galli39
Lucca, Italy8 contributions
May 2021 • Family
The staff at the centre were wonderful. Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Wonderful playing the didgeridoo and help to children trying to play too.
Picturesque walks well sign posted and drinks and coffee afterwards. Not to be missed
Picturesque walks well sign posted and drinks and coffee afterwards. Not to be missed
Written 16 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Helen R
Carrum Downs, Australia110 contributions
Apr. 2021
Well worth the visit Tower Hill reserve was wonderful, you must do the guided tour , full of information Jackie our guide was fantastic
Well worth a visit, I even bought a leather bag made by a local indigenous lady just beautiful and to hear more of our countries indigenous history was great 👍
Well worth a visit, I even bought a leather bag made by a local indigenous lady just beautiful and to hear more of our countries indigenous history was great 👍
Written 25 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Family fun
11 contributions
Apr. 2021 • Family
Absolutely brilliant. Kids, parents and grandparents did this today. We cannot thank you enough for a day we will always remember. Best thing to do to try and help us all realise how we need to work together to protect this beautiful country. We all had such a great time. Thanks for passing on your knowledge, being so patient and great company! Would be the best family tour experience we have ever had. All we can hope is what you have taught gets passed on through our children. Thank you.
Written 9 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TowerHillReserve
Thank you so much for your review. We are glad you enjoyed your stay .
Written 11 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Wendy G
Box Hill, Australia300 contributions
Mar. 2021 • Couples
The park itself is completely amazing. Teeming with nature and with beautifully marked trails, it is a wonder to explore. Beware the cheeky emus who tell you that you MUST share your lunch with them, despite they signs telling you not to.
Having been delighted with the park we booked a twilight tour to learn about nocturnal animals (having seen a great selection ourselves during the day). We know you definitely can not guarantee seeing animals and we had some good viewing but the tour (billed as 7.15 - 8.45) really just involved a time throwing boomerangs (good fun but gosh I’m not sure who did the risk assessment as a couple of times the two small kids on our tour nearly got taken out as they ran to get their boomerangs whilst others were still throwing) then a walk of lava tongue loop where they guide chatted to one of the tour participants and the rest of us listened to the two kids insisting they were “too tired” and needed to go to sleep. In fairness we were all a little bored with the pace of the tour and the lack of information shared. We finished the loop around 9.30 pm! At $70 it was an pricy night given we could have taken our own head torches and done it ourselves. On the positive, we did get to taste 3 different varieties of bush food (mint, celery and spinach).
Having been delighted with the park we booked a twilight tour to learn about nocturnal animals (having seen a great selection ourselves during the day). We know you definitely can not guarantee seeing animals and we had some good viewing but the tour (billed as 7.15 - 8.45) really just involved a time throwing boomerangs (good fun but gosh I’m not sure who did the risk assessment as a couple of times the two small kids on our tour nearly got taken out as they ran to get their boomerangs whilst others were still throwing) then a walk of lava tongue loop where they guide chatted to one of the tour participants and the rest of us listened to the two kids insisting they were “too tired” and needed to go to sleep. In fairness we were all a little bored with the pace of the tour and the lack of information shared. We finished the loop around 9.30 pm! At $70 it was an pricy night given we could have taken our own head torches and done it ourselves. On the positive, we did get to taste 3 different varieties of bush food (mint, celery and spinach).
Written 31 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
British
Melbourne, Australia83 contributions
Is there a fee to visit tower hill ? Or only if you take a guided walk
keithkez
Gordon, Australia246 contributions
Driving/walking through the Reserve is free. If there are guided tours, I’d imagine there’d be a charge.
We went just after Covid restrictions were lifted in Regional Victoria so not even the Kiosk was open
I hope this helps!
p.s. We stayed in the car as my hubby had recently had a stroke. We didn’t see much wildlife during the day from the car but I saw a kangaroo and birdlife when I went back after 5 pm
Hi,I will visit the center
By car in early July. From a left hand driving country, I am not good at right hand driving. Is it difficult to drive to the reserve center for a new right hand driver from Taiwan?
Andyb999999
Wauwatosa, WI139 contributions
We are going Mid February, and would like to know the best time of day to maximize species sightings!
Thanks in advance
travelwithdafam
Melbourne, Australia33 contributions
Give the information center a call or email thwm
Kite_12
Singapore, Singapore35 contributions
i will only be in Warrnambool for a day and will reach in the morning. Interested in the guided tour, can I just walk in and join in the tour straight away or I have to book before hand?
Thanks
sm05060
4,679 contributions
Hi, it's always best to pre book tours if it's something you really want to do so as not to be disappointed. If you are in Warrnambool over Easter or school holiday times it can be very busy. Enjoy your stay: )
Irishnb
253 contributions
Is there an entrance fee or do you only pay for tours?
Gwencheyne
Shepparton, Australia7 contributions
No there is no entry fee. It is a great place for relaxing. The scenery is just beautiful as you drive down to the bottom also there is a picnic area and different walks you can take depending on your level of fitness. My husband and saw koalas in the trees also emus as well. There is a visitors centre which is very informative
Zoe W
Berkeley75 contributions
What's the opening time and does it charge?
jedimullet2002
City of Greater Geelong, Australia69 contributions
Hi zoe sorry l missed your question! The park opened at dawn and closed at dusk. There is no cost to visit the park and has lots of wildlife, walking trails and picnic areas. Well worth the trip. Watch out for the emus! They will steal your food out of your hands lol
Frequently Asked Questions about Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
- We recommend booking Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 13 Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve:
- Indigenous Culture and Nature Tour (From AU$44.71)
- 3-Day Melbourne to Adelaide Small-Group Tour via Great Ocean Road Grampians (From AU$491.79)
- 4 Day Group Camping Tour - Visit Grampians, Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles (From AU$630.56)
- Melbourne to Adelaide South East Coast 3 Day Overland Tour (From AU$491.79)
- Great Ocean Road Grampians 3 Day National Park Tour Melbourne Roundtrip (From AU$491.79)
- Hotels near Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve:
- (0.81 km) Saint Patrick's Luxury Boutique Hotel
- (2.31 km) Harmony at Tower Hill
- (13.86 km) Drift House
- (13.51 km) Best Western Olde Maritime Motor Inn
- (1.09 km) Koroit-Tower Hill Caravan Park
- Restaurants near Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve:
- (1.62 km) Mickey Bourke's Koroit Hotel
- (1.73 km) Izzys Restaurant Bar and Grill
- (1.68 km) Noodledoof Brewing and Distilling Co.
- (1.67 km) Koroit Country Bakehouse
- (12.91 km) Bohemia Cafe and Bar