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Fauna
Due to the wide diversity of habitats within a small area Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary has enormous importance for students and teachers wanting to learn about Victoria's marine and coastal environments and the animals and plants they support. The far eastern edge of the Marine Sanctuary falls under the influence of the Barwon River, which brings sediment down the river. Some animals in this area are quite limited to the area influenced by the river and include the unusual Hairy Stone Crab (Lomis hirta). The rocks are often covered in brown algae ranging in size from Bull Kelp (Durvillea potatorum) to the smaller Neptunes Necklace (Hormosira banksii) in the intertidal area. Many of the boulders in this area cover an astounding diversity of marine invertebrates including molluscs like Elephant Snails (Scutus antipodes) and many species of Chiton, crabs and other crustaceans, worms, sea squirts, flatworms, and sponges. The tip of the eastern reef has numerous filter-feeding animals such as tubeworms (Galeolaria caespitosa) and feather stars that enjoy the fast currents. Small colourful sea slugs are hidden along the reef sides. Between the Basalt and Sandstone reefs there is a small sandy beach with many of the remains of animals and plants that live in the deeper water washed up onto the shoreline. Offshore there are many rocks in between sandy patches over which large stingrays may be seen as well as small sharks such as Varied Catsharks (Parascyllium variolatum) and Port Jackson Sharks (Heterodontus portusjacksoni). Under ledges Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) can be found and also the highly sought after Black Lipped Abalone (Haliotus rubra). The Marine Sanctuary provides protection for these animals giving them greater opportunity to breed and replace those that are taken form other areas, assisting in the sustainability of these fisheries.
Fauna and Habitat
Maori Octopus (Octopus maorum) At night the Maori Octopus, Australia's largest octopus, prowls for large crabs in the rock pools. They are completely harmless and are fascinating to watch. With an arm span of three metres and their deep red colouration, they are one of the most beautiful octopus species in Australia. Divers will sometimes come across their home dens beneath boulders, the entrance littered with discarded shells of former meals. Maori Octopus can manipulate their soft skin to resemble large spikes in an attempt to bluff predators. As suggested by their name, the species is also found in New Zealand waters Geological, Hydrological and Landform Features The Barwon Heads Bluff (Mt. Colite) was formed from dune materials deposited by winds during periods when sea levels were lower than at present. It contains numerous shell fragments that over time have dissolved and cemented together the sand and produced a type of rock called calcarenite, or dune limestone. Beneath the Bluff there are two separate reefs which are of geological and geomorphological significance at the regional and local level. The composition of the reefs reflects the complex geological history of the site. The eastern half of the reef is basalt formed from a lava flow from nearby Mt. Duneed, while the west reef is old sandstone formed under ancient seas. The differences in rock type have led to a wide rage of habitats being available for animals and plants to utilise. This is particularly important in the basalt reef as the rock has broken down to form a boulder field with enormous numbers of crevices, cracks, rockpools, and covered areas all providing habitat for animals and plants that seek out different forms of shelter from sun and waves.
Heritage
Barwon Bluff was a particularly significant place for local Wauthaurong people that made their home from Ballarat to the coast. Taking advantage of the combinations of sea, rock platforms, and river and to the north extensive wetlands, the area was an important summer camping area for many thousands of years. Numerous artefacts from this rich history are found in the form of shell middens, campsites, and tools found in the local area. There are many midden sites, all of which are protected located directly on the Bluff and also to the west along 13th Beach. Bluff Marine Sanctuary includes the wrecks of two ships, situated on the outer part of the reef. In Early European history Barwon Bluff was an important landmark for ships entering Port Phillip Heads. There were a number of wrecks in the area resulting from mistaking the Bluff for the entrance to Port Philip Bay, particularly during the wars as many coastal identifying features were obscured to protect the coast from enemy spies. One the most famous of these was the steamer Orungal, the boiler of which can be seen sticking out of the water to the north of the Marine Sanctuary. An immigrant ship, the Earl of Charlemont, was also wrecked here in 1853 during the gold rush period. The Barwon River was the basis of a small commercial fishing fleet and a number of historic buildings in the river relate to this period of Barwon Heads history. It development as a major port were limited by the treacherous sandbars across the entrance and the strong tidal flow.