Cape Bridgewater, once a volcanic island, is a pleasant 20 minute drive from Portland via Otway Street. Along the way many stone ruins can be seen in the paddocks - a reminder of the area's 1840's farming settlement. The round trip via Bridgewater Lakes and Cashmore Road is approximately 50kms.
There are many treasures to be discovered at Cape Bridgewater - white sandy beaches, rugged windswept cliff-tops, lakes, caves, marine life, blowholes and mountainous sand dunes.

Bridgewater Beach
Bridgewater is a picturesque 4km stretch of wide sandy beach suitable for swimming and surfing. The Portland Surf Lifesaving Club patrols Bridgewater Beach on weekends and public holidays, between 10am and 5pm from the first week in December until Easter.
Facilities include toilets, picnic tables, phone box and cafe.

Shelly Beach
A 15 minute drive from Portland, Shelly Beach is a great place for collecting shell fragments, rock fishing and surfiing.

Stony Hill - Volcanic Activity
Stony Hill is the hightest cliff top on the Victorian coastline, 130 meters above sea level. It is part of the western rim of a volcano situated between the Seal Caves and the Springs. The evolution of a sand pit linked the island to the mainland; dunes then formed which have since turned to limestone.

Seal Caves - Scenic Walk
Discover one of Cape Bridgewater's most popular treasures - the Australian Fur Seals. Seal Point is home to more than 650 seals. You can take an energetic 2 hour return walk to the seal colony from either the Bridgewater Beach kiosk or the carpark on the hill. A less energetic 3 hour return walk can be taken from the Blowholes carpark. When you arrive at the seal-viewing platform you will be able to see seals basking in the sun and frollicking in the water below. Alternatively, you can take a 45-minute boat trip with Seal by Sea Tours to experience a unique interaction with these creatures in their natural habitat.

The Blowholes
The Blowholes can be found 4kms past Bridgewater Beach. They are formed mainly by basalt and scoria rock and create spectacular spouts of sea spray during high seas.

Freshwater Springs
The cliffs on the west coast of Bridgewater are composed of basalt and covered in dune limestone. Water drains through the limestone, along the line of contact and emerges as springs at the edge of the cliffs, resulting in fresh water pools. An easy 4km round trip from the Blowholes carpark will take you past the springs.

Petrified Forest
The Petrified Forest is an easy 10 minute walk from the Blowholes carpark. It was formed when the forest of Moonah trees was smothered by a large sand dune. Water seeping down through the sand formed a crust of sandstone on the outside of the trunks, decaying the organic matter, leaving behind 'petrified trunks'.

Bridgewater Lakes
A scenic 10 minute drive on Lakes Road from Shelly Beach takes you past two old churches, an old school, the Lower Cape Bridgewater Cemetery and the old Market and Saleyards Reserve (1900-1960). The freshwater lakes are a popular recreational area for fishing, canoeing, water-skiing, picnics or just relaxing. You can take a 30 minute walk from the carpark to Discovery Bay.

Limestone Caves
Situated opposite the entrance to Bridgewater Lakes the limestone caves (home to many bats) provide excellent views across Discovery Bay.