Overlooking Anderson’s Inlet, Inverloch is a small coastal town south-east of Melbourne that was named after Scotland’s Loch Inver. It was here that Australia’s first dinosaur bone was discovered in 1903 by William Ferguson in an area that is protected as Bunurong Marine National Park.
Stretching along the waterfront is the Inverloch Coastal Reserve, where you’ll find beaches for swimming, surfing and fishing. When the tide goes out, the mudflats of Anderson’s Inlet provide an important feeding ground for migratory waders, as well as supporting the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot.
A short drive along the coast will take you to Flat Rocks - Dinosaur Dreaming Fossil Site where dinosaur bones, teeth and fossils have been discovered. Fossick in its large rock pools before continuing west to explore Bunurong Marine National Park, which is renowned for its striking rock formations such as “Eagle’s Nest”.
Getting there
Inverloch is around two hours' drive from Melbourne and 2.5 hours from Melbourne Airport, which has flights to destinations across Oceania, Asia and the Middle East. Regular buses travel to Inverloch and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.