Find out who’ll be taking the stage at Day by the Bay
We're very excited to announce the lineup for Day by the Bay: two festivals taking place in Summer 2019 which celebrate Melbourne and Victoria's connection to Port Phillip Bay. We've been waiting a long time to release the program our team has worked hard to...
When is a seagull not a seagull?
If it’s a bird at the beach, it’s a seagull. Right? Or is it? Pick up a bird book and you’ll find that there is no such thing as a “seagull”. But many grey and white, coastal birds are colloquially given this name, and this has the...
Make room for blue space
Humans seem to have an innate attraction to aquatic environments. Real estate by coasts or rivers costs more (particularly if it has a view of the water), coastal resorts are generally the most popular, and countless millions are spent on water-based recreation every year. This love...
Snorkelling Port Phillip Bay
With more than 80% of its marine life found nowhere else on Earth, Port Phillip Bay is a snorkeler’s playground. Never been in yourself? We’ve picked some of our favourite spots from around the Bay to whet your appetite. Inner east: Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary Great for...
The unsung joys of diving in Port Phillip Bay
Have you ever done something that swept you off your feet, so much so that you knew you were going to keep doing it for the rest of your life? Something that allows you to escape when life gets hard? Something that you want to...
Spider crabs: no rest for the wicked
Migration – when people hear this term, they usually picture herds of mammals (including people) or flocks of birds en route to places where they can find better conditions for living. However, did you know that Melbourne has a migration of its own in its...
On the hunt for sea slugs
As a diver and dive guide, I have always felt a bit awkward searching for the small, hidden things at the bottom of the ocean rather than looking for bigger, faster, more obvious fishes, mammals and other creatures. I guess I have always found the...
Melbourne’s best kept secret
“… up to 82% of the marine life [in Port Phillip Bay] is found nowhere else in the world, so it’s completely unique. You compare that to the Great Barrier Reef, where only 10% of the marine life is unique to the area.” — Sheree Marris,...
Toadfish: getting a bad rap
During my many dives and snorkels in our amazing Port Phillip Bay, I've always enjoyed coming across the Smooth Toadfish. Their curious demeanour along with their big eyes and upturned "smiling" face have always made them a delight to encounter. Unfortunately, my views on this fish...
