Port Phillip, Western Port & Phillip Island
Bunurong / Boonwurrung
"Womin dja" — /wom-in jah/
About this Country
Boonwurrung Country wraps the southern shores of Port Phillip and the wild edge of Western Port. Six clans held this coast, its islands and estuaries in careful balance.
N'arweet Carolyn Briggs tells that Bunjil left the Boonwurrung six laws: obey the laws of Bunjil, be strong and upright, care for children, care for Country, do not touch what is not yours, and settle disputes without warfare.
Cultural protocols
Travelling with respect
Millowl (Phillip Island) is a place of significance. Do not disturb wildlife — the little penguin, shearwater and seal colonies are living Bunurong story.
Please
Keep your distance
Stay 50 m from seals and 3 m from little penguins. Torches and flash upset them.
Please
Take rubbish home
Shearwaters can mistake plastic for cuttlefish. Even small litter kills chicks.
Consider
Dawn & dusk driving
Wallaby and echidna crossings peak either side of light. Drop your speed 20 km/h.
Please don't
Off-boardwalk access
Dune systems above the burrows collapse under foot. Please stay on structures.
Language
Words to carry with you
Tap a card to hear the pronunciation.
Trails through this Country
Collection
Poles on this Country
Along the way
San Remo
0 kmGateway township & pelican feeding
Pelican feeding daily at 12:00 on the pier (free). Bakery + IGA on the main street.
Cape Woolamai Lookout
18 kmPink granite headland & shearwater colony
2 hr return clifftop loop. Shearwaters return Sept–Apr.
Bunurong Cultural Walk
24 kmGuided coastal walk with Elder
90 min · book via Bunurong Land Council. Fri/Sat 10:00.
Nobbies Boardwalk
42 kmSeal colony vantage & antarctic journey exhibit
Boardwalk open dawn–dusk. Seal centre 10:00–16:00.
Listen
Stories from this Country
Book with Country
Indigenous-run experiences
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the Bunurong / Boonwurrung people as the Traditional Owners of Port Phillip, Western Port & Phillip Island, and pay respects to Elders N'arweet Carolyn Briggs.