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Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary in Beaumaris is part of the Bunurong (Boon Wurrung) Peoples of the Kulin Nations Sea Country and is a significant site with middens, fresh water wells, ochre pits and special gatherings places for women and children. (Reference: https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/coastal_trails_indigenous.pdf)

This area now protected under Parks Victoria from the high tide mark to 500m out to sea, and stretching 3km between Black Rock and Beaumaris, is a unique place to visit.  Clear shallow waters (less than 5m deep in most areas), rocky reefs beneath the water and intertidal rockpools filled with sea snails and crabs make Ricketts Point the perfect place to discover the marine life of Port Phillip Bay. Please tread carefully if you walk on the platforms and reefs and avoid the sensitive seagrass meadows that serve as nursery habitats for many species.

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS 

1. 1. 1. The beach, when patrolled by Beaumaris Life Saving Club, is a safe place for kids to swim and with picnic tables, toilets and BBQ’s can be found adjacent to the Ricketts Point Beachside Cafe.
      2. Rockpooling! With clear shallow waters (less than 5m deep in most areas) make Ricketts Point the perfect place to discover the marine life of Port Phillip Bay. Don’t forget to download your set of rockpool ramble ID cards that we have developed, especially for Ricketts Point Sanctuary.
      3. Go for a coastal track walk and you might spot a Burrunan dolphinwhere you can immerse yourself amongst the native coastal plants, perfectly adapted for sandy soil and salty sea breezes.
      4. Ricketts Point Sanctuary is the perfect location for birdwatching the local and migratory seabirds. You can purchase a downloadable copy of our seabirds bird scavenger hunt printables here.
      5. Grab your snorkel to meet one of the 50 odd species of fish that call the sanctuary home, Southern Fiddler Rays included!

FLORA & FAUNA 

• • • Local and migratory birds
    • Intertidal rockpool organisms – crabs and sea snails
    • Fish and invertebrates and some dolphin visitors
    • Indigenous Sand dune and cliffed coast plants

You can find more about the incredible marine creatures that live at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary using our rockpool ID cards and enjoy a rockpool ramble this summer. This stunning set of 24 hand illustrated rockpool identification cards have been designed locally incorporating common marine animals found in the Port Philip bay.

Eco Explorers runs school holiday and term based programs at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary in Beaumaris and you can find out more about our nature playgroup programs here.

As a Parks Vic tour operator, Eco Explorers runs Bush Playgroup, Bush Kids, Forest School and School Holiday programs at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary.

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