Western Port
| Western Port | |
|---|---|
| Type | Saline, Permanent, Natural |
| Primary inflows | Bunyip River, Lang Lang River, Bass River, Cardinia Creek |
| Primary outflows | Bass Strait |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Max. length | 263 km ([convert: unit mismatch]) |
| Surface area | 680 km2 (260 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Islands | Phillip Island, French Island, Quail Island, Churchill Island |
| Settlements | Hastings, Cowes, Crib Point |
Western Port, also known as Western Port Bay, is a large tidal bay in southern Victoria, Australia opening into Bass Strait. It is the second largest bay in Victoria. Geographically, the bay is dominated by the two large islands; French Island and Phillip Island. Contrary to its name, it lies to the east of the larger Port Phillip, and is separated from it by the Mornington Peninsula. In its southern reaches, life such as Australian Fur Seals, whales and dolphins exist, while its northern reaches are inhabited by many bird species including the waterbird, migratory waders, White-faced Storm-Petrel, Silver Gull, Australian Gannets amongst many others. It is listed under the Ramsar Convention for its habitat for migratory water birds.[1]
The area around the bay and the two main islands were originally part of the Boonwurrung nation's territory prior to European settlement. The bay was first seen by Europeans in 1798 when an exploration crew in a whaleboat led by George Bass, journeyed south from Sydney to explore Australia's south eastern coastline. Due in most part to a lack of food, the expedition was halted, spending two weeks in Western Port before returning to Sydney. As it was the most westerly charted point at the time, it was named Western Port, however it actually lies in the eastern half of Victoria and to the east of the larger Port Phillip and Greater Melbourne.
A variety of factors, such as quantity of mangroves, wetlands and mudflats around its northern shorelines, distance from Melbourne and lack of abundance of sandy beaches, have detered major settlements from being located around the bay, as is the case in Port Phillip. It is generally considered in recreation and tourism terms as "Port Phillip's little brother". Today the bay is mostly used for recreation, however there is also a military base (HMAS Cerberus), shipping and oil production facilities adjoining the bay.
History
Prior to European settlement, the Bunurong people lived around Western Port living off shellfish, mutton birds and plantlife. The bay was discovered by Europeans in 1797, when George Bass received permission from Governor Hunter in Sydney to sail a whaleboat along the unexplored section of coast south of Botany Bay. On such a rough stretch of water, Bass could not get more than halfway through the strait now known as Bass Strait. This voyage led to the discovery of Western Port, so named because of its situation relative to every other known harbour on the coast at that time. [2] (the area from Point Hicks to Cape Howe). But relative to the city of Melbourne and Port Phillip, it actually lies to the East.
In the early 19th century, the bay played a role in the struggle between Britain and France. Soldiers and convicts from Sydney were ordered to form a camp at Western Port to deter possible occupation by the French. It was only after the end of World War II that serious consideration was given to the development of the Bay as a port, and its flat shores north of Stony and Crib Points have become a centre for heavy industry.
Geography
Formerly a major river drainage system, it was inundated together with Port Phillip by the rising sea in the Holocene period, the Western Port sunkland now forms an extensive tidal bay. The waters of Western Port cover an area of 680 km² of which 270 km², are exposed as mud flats at low tide. The topography of Western Port is dominated by two large islands; French Island and Phillip Island. The coastline, including that of the islands, is some 263 km. In the northern reaches several rivers and creeks drain into the bay and flow through extensive mangroves, mudflats and sand banks before being channelled either side of French Island and into the open water in the southern reaches around Phillip Island. Several natural river paths and channels provide access for boats to the northern reaches however, this is highly dependent on the tides and local knowledge is essential.
Some of the major tributaries of Western Port include;
- Bunyip River, Lang Lang River, Bass River, Cardinia Creek, Redbill Creek, Mosquito Creek, Brella Creek and Tankerton Creek.
Islands
Western Port hosts a diverse range of islands, some of which include, in aproximate order of size:
- French Island - 170 km² (population: 70)
- Phillip Island - 100 km² (population: 7,000)
- Middle Spit - exposed at low tide
- Quail Island
- Tortoise Head Bank - exposed at low tide
- Churchill Island - 57ha
- Chinamans Island
- Elizabeth Island
- Sandstone Island
- Reef Island
- Long Island
- Shnapper Rock
- Pelican Island
- Barralliar Island
- Rams Island
- Joe Island
Ecology
Fauna
Western Port consists of rocky platforms, sandy beaches and marine habitats. It is home to a diverse range of invertebrates including colonial ascidians, sponges and corals. Mudflats and mangrove swamps around the northern end of the bay support a large number of invertebrates that are an important food source for waders and visiting migratory birds. French Island is home to migratory wader birds, pelican and Short-tailed Shearwater rookeries, and many other significant fauna species.
Phillip Island Penguin Reserve has the largest colony of Little Penguins in Victoria as well as major breeding colonies of Short-tailed Shearwaters, and Hooded Plovers and Peregrine Falcon nesting areas. Seal Rock off Phillip Island is home to the largest colony of Australian Fur Seals and the only known breeding site of the Kelp Gull and Sooty Oyster-catcher. San Remo's marine community is a rich assemblage of marine biota listed under the State Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, 1988. The bay is listed under the Ramsar Convention for its wetlands. [2]
Flora
Western Port supports a mosaic of habitat types including underwater seagrass beds, intertidal rock platforms, sandy beaches, intertidal mudflats, tidal channels, saltmarshes and mangroves. The coastline around Phillip Island is of State significance because of its remnant coastal tussock grasslands and dune scrub, a rare vegetation community in Victoria. The bay is listed under the Ramsar Convention for its wetlands. [3]
Parklands
- Land:
- Coolart Wetlands and Homestead
- French Island National Park
- Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve
- Mornington Peninsula National Park
- Marine:
- French Island Marine National Park - 2,800ha
- Yaringa Marine National Park - 980ha
- Churchill Island Marine National Park - 670ha
Recreation
Fishing, pleasure boating and yachting are some of the popular pastimes on the bay.
Recreation on Phillip Island
- Penguin Reserve - visited at dusk to watch the penguins return to their burrows in the sand dunes
- Seal Rocks - viewed through binoculars
- Koala Conservation Centre
- Bird watching
Recreation on French Island
- Bushwalking or bird observing; bush orchid and fishing areas; horse riding, bike rides, and deep water fishing
- Koala habitat
- Camping
Shipping and Boating
Deep channels lead from Bass Strait into the western section of the bay, giving access to the region's port facilities. The town of Hastings is the main boat landing in the bay. 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.
Industry
Western Port has several industrial complexes, including a BlueScope Steel steel processing works and the major Royal Australian Navy training base, HMAS Cerberus.
Regulations
For the protection of the marine environment, a number of activities are prohibited within the boundaries of Victoria's Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries. No fishing, netting, spearing, taking or killing of marine life. All methods of fishing, from the shore or sea, are prohibited. No taking or damaging of animals, plants and objects or artefacts. There are strong penalties under the National Parks Act for fishing in Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries. All offenses can by reported to the Department of Primary Industries on 133 474 (within Australia)
However, you may carry fin-fish on board your boat within park boundaries if you caught the fish outside the parks and you may also carry but not use, a fishing rod or spear gun. You may also have abalone or rock lobster associated equipment on board the boat provided that you are travelling straight through the park by the shortest practicable route.
References
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2008) |