Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, Game reserve in Victoria, Australia.
Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve spans 614 hectares around a dormant volcanic crater with wetlands, grasslands, and open woodlands hosting native animals. The site contains walking trails, picnic areas, and a visitor center designed by Robin Boyd where you can spot koalas, wallabies, and many bird species.
The volcanic site dates back over 34,000 years and holds Aboriginal artifacts embedded in ash layers showing indigenous presence during eruption times. After severe damage from farming and quarrying, the site underwent complete restoration in 1961 and transformed into a thriving ecosystem with reintroduced native wildlife.
The reserve is jointly managed by the Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative and Parks Victoria, keeping alive the traditional custodianship of Gunditjmara lands. Visitors can encounter this living relationship through interpretive displays and guided conversations that show how cultural knowledge shapes land care today.
Access the site via marked walking trails suitable for different ability levels with viewpoints for spotting animals. Early morning visits offer the best chance to see wildlife active, and the grounds feature both open areas and shaded woodland sections depending on your preference.
The volcanic crater remained largely unknown or overlooked for much of its modern history until restoration work revealed the actual geological structure beneath newly rewilded ground. This hidden geology shows how landscapes can conceal their history until active land care brings it back to view.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
