The Fur Seal Colony
The mainland Fur Seal colony that has established at Cape Bridgewater is one of only a few in Australia. The breeding colony is thought to number some 700 seals, however, these numbers vary from day to day, times of the day and season to season.
Viewing them from the cliff tops above can be an uplifting experience. You will need to keep in mind however that you will be observing from very near the location of Victoria’s highest above sea level cliffs. This will make the animals appear somewhat smaller than may have been expected. Some seals are likely to be in the water while others may be sunning themselves on the rock ledges or inside the natural cave that is formed underneath the viewing platform, and out of view.
Take some time to look as you may not see anything at first glance. Lookout further for whales and the telltale sign of their ‘water spout’. You will need to keep scanning the area and remember that they are usually, but not always, much further out from the cliffs and will surface on average every 10 minutes.
Walking to the seals from the Bridgewater kiosk (see Map) is challenging particularly for young children and the elderly. A much longer but possibly more scenic and easier walk (more downhill at the end) is to do a car shuttle, leaving one car at the kiosk area and drive a second to the Blowholes car park. You can now begin the 2.5 to 3 hour walk from the Blowholes via the Petrified Forest and the Seals and back to where you have left your second car.