Tower Hill sits inside an extinct maar volcano about 15 kilometres northwest of Warrnambool. The volcano last erupted around 32,000 years ago and left behind a wide crater lake surrounded by scoria cones — a landscape that feels otherworldly, especially in the early morning mist. Within the reserve, koalas sleep in the manna gums, emus stalk across the grassland, and kangaroos rest in the shade without any obvious concern for human visitors. It is one of the most reliable places in Victoria to see all three of these animals in a single visit.
The Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative runs guided tours of the reserve that weave ecological information with the cultural history of the Gunditjmara people, who lived in this landscape for thousands of years before European settlement. The Gunditjmara name for the crater is Tuurong — the English name Tower Hill is a colonial approximation of the original.
Walking tracks circle the crater rim and descend to the central island. The main loop takes about two hours and is suitable for most fitness levels. Go early or late in the day to avoid the midday heat and to see the wildlife at its most active.