The Barwon Heads Bluff The imposing limestone cliffs of the Barwon Heads Bluff jut into Bass Strait forming the western head land of the Barwon Estuary.
Apart from affording spectacular views from Cape Schank to Cape Otway for thousands of visitors a year, the Bluff provides a range of significant habitat.
* the estuary is a regular stop-over for dozens of species of resident and migratory shore birds
* the basalt rock shelf with its rockpool is teeming with a myriad of marine life, sea grasses, crustaceans, octopus, etc.
* the rugged cliff faces are home to kites, kestrels and falcons and a host of hardy plants growing in sand traps.
* the Bluff has more than 80 indigenous species of grasses, herbs, twiners, ground cover, shrubs and spectacular coastal wild flowers.
* honeyeaters, wrens, robins, fantails, are busy amid the Bluff scrubs.
* echidna wander the Bluff. * the dunes to the west have a natural flora and are home to the rare and threatened Hooded Plover.
* the Bluff is listed on the significant geological sites register.
These habitats are all linked and share a number of pressures that threaten the integrity of the environment.
The Bluff is the most popular tourist and recreation destination in Barwon Heads and it is the responsibility of all users to care for this remarkable natural resource.
 | WHO ARE WE & WHAT DO WE DO? The Friends of the Bluff are a group of volunteers who assembled in 1994. The members have a common interest in caring for the welfare of the complete ecosystem of the Barwon Heads Bluff area. In November 1994, the group submitted a successful application to the Office of Fair Trading and Business Affairs to become incorporated.
The main aims of the group are:
1. To care for and maintain the remnant natural habitat of the Bluff.
2. To rehabilitate the population of native species indigenous to the Bluff.
3. To encourage community appreciation of the natural environment of the Bluff.
The group works in close association with the management and staff of the Barwon Coast Committee and Coast Action. It maintains regular contact with major environmental organisations and other regional coast community groups.
Regular working bees are held on site with members involved in weed eradication, propagation and planting of indigenous species, litter control, observation of bird and animal life, as well as conducting guided walks of the Bluff and its flora.
To date the Friends of the Bluff have:
• removed truck loads of exotic weeds and litter from the Bluff.
• planted more than 7,000 individuals into highly degraded areas on the Bluff.
• established a working nursery area capable of producing 10,000 plants a year.
• developed a propagation program to assist in the re-establishment of rare and threatened species. • developed the 'Lobster Pot' interpretation centre at the jetty with a display of tanks of living marine biota and local environmental information.
• conducted countless guided walks with the school and community groups and visitors to the area. |
Friends of the Bluff are committed to developing programs to care for the Bluff and to encourage others to recognise and appreciate this unique coastal landmark.
Do you have an interest in:-
* working in an indigenous plant nursery, collecting seed, propagating and tending seedlings.
*replacing habitat by planting native plants.
* removing exotic weeds to encourage local plants to thrive.
* volunteering in the 'Lobster Pot' to discuss coastal issues with visitors.
* conducting guided walks of the Bluff.
*surveying, recording and documenting flora, fauna and bird sightings on the Bluff.
* just learning about our complex and wonderful coastline.
Minutes of the last meeting Calling your bluff | 
Anyone can join Friends of the Bluff.
Further information contact:
Jon Duthie 52542 626
Bev Wood 52543 218
or
EMail enquiries@barwonbluff.com.au
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FRIENDS of the BLUFF
Coast Action Programme