Fortress Bay Tour - Penguins and Seals

Fortress Bay Tour - Penguins and Seals

We then visit the mysterious island of South Channel Fort where we will dock to take a guided walking tour through this once secret military base and now a sea bird breeding habitat. The South Channel Fort is a reminder of Port Phillip Bay's early history as part of the defense lines for Melbourne.

Construction of the Fort on a 7 hectare man-made island was commenced in 1879 with the intention of defending Melbourne in the event of being raided by warships. The artificial island was constructed in the 1880s to illuminate the channel at night and electronically explode mines under attacking ships coming through the Heads.

A system of antiquated gun emplacements and tunnels are a feature of the island which is now a significant refuge for seabirds. The Popes Eye was initially proposed for defence purposes; however the partially constructed artificial island was never completed.

Popes Eye is a Marine park of Port Phillip Bay. Activity Highlights *Visit to Pope's Eye Marine Park *Visit the Seals Colony of Chinamans Hut and see the seals up close.

*View the Penguin and seabird refuge in the middle of Port Phillip Bay. *Discover the underground tunnels of Sth Channel Fort - a historic made-made island What's Included *Includes interpretive bay tour of Port Phillip Bay and Sth Channel Fort *Includes light refreshments .