Port Phillip

Port Phillip is a broad, shallow bay covering about 1,930 km2 with a shoreline of roughly 264 km and a total water volume of about 25 km3; the deepest point is only around 24 m and half the bay is shallower than 8 m. The bay opens into Bass Strait through a short, narrow channel known as The Rip at its southern end.

The coastal lands around Port Phillip were home to the Kulin nations long before European arrival, with the Wathaurong to the west, Wurundjeri to the north and Boonwurrung to the south and east; Aboriginal middens and cultural sites remain along the shore. European visits began in 1802 and settlement grew around the Yarra mouth (Melbourne) and Corio Bay (Geelong) in the decades that followed.

Today the bay is surrounded by dense urban and suburban development on its northern and eastern shores and by smaller towns and national parks on its peninsulas; recreational boating, fishing, beachgoing and birdwatching are common, while shipping uses the deeper channels. Visiting the bay means a mix of city waterfronts and quieter coastal landscapes, but also an awareness of local hazards such as strong currents at The Rip and extensive shallow areas.

• The Heads and The Rip: The narrow entrance to Bass Strait offers dramatic cliffs and powerful currents - an important navigation point and a place to watch shipping and rough seas from a safe distance.
• Melbourne waterfront and Yarra mouth: The northern shore hosts Melbourne’s busy riverfront precincts, promenades and cultural attractions where the Yarra meets the bay.
• Corio Bay and Geelong: The western arm around Geelong features waterfront parks, piers and views across the bay toward the Bellarine Peninsula.
• Mornington Peninsula and Point Nepean: The southern peninsulas have coastal walking, beaches and reserve land such as Point Nepean where land meets the heads of the bay.
• Marine life and birdwatching: Seals, dolphins, occasional whales and many waders and seabirds inhabit the bay and its mudflats, especially on quieter shores and in protected reserves.

Port Phillip is served by the major nearby cities of Melbourne to the north and Geelong to the west; Melbourne Airport is the nearest major international airport for most travellers. Both cities are rail and road hubs from which you can reach many points on the bay.

The last stretch to any particular beach or headland is usually by car, taxi or local bus from suburban centres; several passenger ferries operate across and around the bay (for example between Sorrento and Queenscliff at the heads). Check local timetables and seasonal services for ferries and public transport links.

• The Rip at the bay entrance has very strong currents and is dangerous for swimmers and small craft - observe from marked lookouts and follow local warnings.
• Tides and the bay’s shallow areas expose mudflats and feeding grounds for shorebirds, so bring binoculars if you like birdwatching.
• Summer beaches can be busy; quieter stretches and coastal reserves on the peninsulas suit those seeking less crowded shorelines.
• Respect Aboriginal cultural sites and visible middens along the shore; many are protected and have interpretive signage.
• Weather on the bay can change quickly - pack layers and check local marine forecasts before heading out on the water.