Rockpooling on the Bellarine (and Beyond)

Rockpooling on the Bellarine (and Beyond)

Rockpooling on the Bellarine (and Beyond)

Rockpooling is one of the best family adventures you can have on the coast. Tiny tidal aquariums full of weird and wonderful creatures, just waiting to be discovered. Around Pt Lonsdale, Ocean Grove, and all along the Bellarine, we’re spoiled for choice... but the same tips work most places in southern/eastern Australia.

What You’ll Need

  1. Grippy shoes or sandals (because rocks are slippery little liars)
  2. A hat, sunscreen, and something long-sleeved for sun and wind protection
  3. Tide times (low tide is your golden window)
  4. Optional: magnifying glass, binoculars, or ID cards for curious kids

Timing Is Everything

The golden rule: check the tides. Your best window is right after low tide, when the rock platforms are exposed and the pools are full of life. You can check the Bureau of Meteorology tide tables before heading out.

Also keep an eye on the wind. Strong onshore gusts can make things tricky for kids and quickly cover pools with waves.

How to Explore

  1. Walk slowly and carefully... algae makes rocks deceptively slippery.
  2. Take your time. Scan each pool, and look into shaded cracks and edges.
  3. Follow leave no trace: don’t touch, don’t collect, don’t disturb. Everything stays exactly where it belongs.
  4. Extra care: watch where you put your hands... this is Australia after all, and some creatures (like the blue-ringed octopus) are better admired from a safe distance.

What You Might Spot

  • Crabs darting sideways into crevices
  • Sea stars clinging to the rock walls
  • Anemones opening and closing their alien-like tentacles
  • Mussels, barnacles, and snails covering surfaces
  • Tiny fish, crabs, and blennies flitting in the shallows
  • Colourful sea slugs and the occasional sea hare

Every pool is a new surprise. Sometimes it’s bustling, sometimes it’s quiet... but there’s always something to see if you slow down and really look.

Why It’s Brilliant for Kids

Rockpooling is like a living, sloshing lucky dip. No two pools are ever the same, and every discovery sparks curiosity. It helps kids build observation skills, patience, and respect for the creatures that share our coastline. Honestly, it’s one of our favourite thing to do... and it never gets old.

A Few Handy Extras

  • Take 3 for the Sea: always leave with a few pieces of rubbish if you find them.
  • Bring along rockpool ID cards or download an app to help name your finds.
  • Or make it fun... invent nicknames like “Spiky Star Dude” or “Wiggly Blobfish.” The sillier the better.
  • Remember: the best rockpooling kit is simply a curious mind and a respect for nature.

Rockpooling is one of those adventures that sticks with you. You don’t need gear or gadgets; just the right tide, a pair of grippy shoes, and a willingness to kneel down and peer into another world. Every visit is different, every creature fascinating, and the memory lasts longer than the tide itself.

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