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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Top ways to experience Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve
The area
Address
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
Koroit Succulents & Natives Garden Cafe
9
0.2 kmCafe
Mickey Bourke's Koroit Hotel
62
1.6 km$$ - $$$ • Irish • Bar • Pub
Koroit Country Bakehouse
23
1.7 km$ • Bakeries • Cafe • Australian
Izzys Restaurant Bar and Grill
37
1.7 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Grill
Noodledoof Brewing and Distilling Co.
26
1.7 km$$ - $$$ • Brew Pub • Bar • Pub
Little Thai House
60
1.7 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Alex's Pizza & Wok
20
1.8 km$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Australian
Poppies Cafe
20
1.8 km$ • Cafe • Fast food • Australian
Commercial Hotel
2
1.9 km
Attractions
2 within 5 kms
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Popular mentions
4.5
994 reviews
Excellent
600
Very good
315
Average
65
Poor
10
Terrible
4
ricks12016
Melbourne, Australia183 contributions
GREAT PLACE
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
A surprise
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, Australia94 contributions
Tower Hill Reserve
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
8 contributions
Absolutely the best tour we have had
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, Australia293 contributions
Park amazing, twilight tour not so much
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.
Angela C
Melbourne, Australia31 contributions
Brilliant insightful tour of this extinct volcano and it’s oasis.
Mar. 2021
This was my second visit to Tower Hill reserve, however this time we took the Indigenous Culture and Nature tour, hosted by a proud local Indigenous guide.
Levi was our guide and his tour was really outstanding.
He shared his passion and great knowledge of the reserve and gave us an insight into the early settlement of the area.
We learnt so much about our First Nations People and their culture, bush tucker, Native animals, the havoc caused by early Colonial settlement and the subsequent need to revegetate this ancient area.
We felt very grateful to Levi for his generous and enthusiastic presentation.
So much has been done to rehabilitate this area and you would never know without the insight offered by the guides.
We saw many birds,snakes, lizards, koalas and wallabies.
This extinct volcano is not only an oasis for wildlife but it provides us with an insight into the deep connection that Indigenous people have with their land.
Levi was our guide and his tour was really outstanding.
He shared his passion and great knowledge of the reserve and gave us an insight into the early settlement of the area.
We learnt so much about our First Nations People and their culture, bush tucker, Native animals, the havoc caused by early Colonial settlement and the subsequent need to revegetate this ancient area.
We felt very grateful to Levi for his generous and enthusiastic presentation.
So much has been done to rehabilitate this area and you would never know without the insight offered by the guides.
We saw many birds,snakes, lizards, koalas and wallabies.
This extinct volcano is not only an oasis for wildlife but it provides us with an insight into the deep connection that Indigenous people have with their land.
Written 3 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
900wanderingwyllie
Melbourne, Australia31 contributions
Informative & engaging
The knowledge shared by Levi during our 2 hour experience was excellent. He was engaging and informative. We came away with a lot more knowledge about Tower Hill but also a greater appreciation of our First Nation people which is so important to continue to build on. Highly recommended
Written 25 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bonesi
australia502 contributions
Amazing views
Dec. 2020 • Couples
We drove into viewing area,and walked to top of the old volcano, lots of wild life.
We saw a emu and lots of birds.
A must if you are in the area.
We stayed two nights at Tower Hill Cabins
Perfect for using as a base.
We saw a emu and lots of birds.
A must if you are in the area.
We stayed two nights at Tower Hill Cabins
Perfect for using as a base.
Written 18 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mardi S
10 contributions
We had an Indigenous guided tour
Feb. 2021
The tour guide Paul gave us such an enlightening experience of Indigenous culture past and present, including tasting bush tucker. Rose in the culutral centre was extremely helpful.
Written 15 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
geniegal
Melbourne, Australia512 contributions
Well Worth Booking The Tour
Feb. 2021 • Couples
We were there yesterday. Arrived just in time to take the 11 a.m. tour. It was so worth it. I would recommend anyone to take it. Our guide was amazing, knowledgeable and clearly loved what she did. We learnt so much about aboriginal culture and the tools they used. On our walk we saw koalas, emus, wallabies and snakes (sleeping ones thank goodness). We tasted a number of bush tucker items and learnt about their medicinal properties. We are seniors and paid $25 each for the tour. Full adult price is $35. There is ample parking, picnic facilities, toilets and a visitor’s centre where you can find genuine aboriginal items to purchase. Coffee, cold drinks and snacks are also available.
Written 9 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
British
Melbourne, Australia70 contributions
Is there a fee to visit tower hill ? Or only if you take a guided walk
keithkez
Gordon, Australia244 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
GoPlaces20741000885
0 contributions
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, WI136 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, Australia68 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
