Merri Marine Sanctuary 

The coastline just west of the breakwater at Warrnambool is a perfect example of this thriving cool water environment.

Flora & FaunaThe Sanctuary provides a range of habitats for diverse marine life. Deep canyons support a variety of fish including Giant Cuttlefish, Parrotfish, Blue-throated Wrasse, Bastard Trumpeters, Magpie Perch and Dusky and Banded Morwong. Penguin colonies are found on Merri and Middle Islands within the sanctuary. The canyon between the islands is packed with sea life. Kelps sway with the waves, colourful sponges dominate the overhangs and rock lobster hide in the crevices.

• The seabed at the river mouth is a mixture of reef and sand, Rock platforms are covered in Neptune’s Necklace, green seaweed that looks like a string of grapes. Middle and Merri Islands sit just offshore. They are the remains of an ancient sand dune that stretches from Pickering Point and built up hundreds of thousands of years ago.