Formerly a major river drainage system inundated by the rising sea in the Holocene period, the Western Port sunkland now forms an extensive tidal bay.
Two large islands, French Island (approximately 170 square kilometres) and Phillip Island (approximately 100 square kilometres), dominate Western Port. The coastline, including that of the islands, is some 263 kilometres.
Fishing, pleasure boating and yachting are some of the popular pastimes on the bay, with the deep channels leading from Bass Strait into the western section of the bay, giving access to the region's port facilities.
Hastings is the main boat landing in Western Port bay, however there are boat launching ramps at Stony Point, Tooradin, Newhaven, Cowes, Hastings, Warneet, Lang Lang, Grantville and Rhyll (Phillip Island)
Accommodation is available on both Phillip Island and French Island.
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.
Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.
