Exciting Discovery on the Barwon Coast: The Veined Helmet Orchid

We have been advised by @barwonwater to advise all regular users to avoid coming into contact with the water in the Barwon River through Geelong until further notice.

@barwonwater have experienced sewer spills today that are expected to have compromised the quality of the water.

The results of water quality testing will determine when they can provide further advice that the water is safe for use.

Please see latest updates here https://www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/.../alerts-and-updates... We will continue to keep you updated as further information becomes available

Your summer job could look a little different this year. 🌊
We’re looking for Casual Cleaning Officers to work across our caravan parks and campground over the busy summer season.
Think flexible casual work, great coastal locations and the chance for a walk or quick dip at the beach when your shift is done.
No extensive cleaning experience? Don’t rule yourself out – training is available for the right people.
Come and meet us:
📅 Friday 9 October
⏰ 10 am–12 pm
📍 Education Room, Barwon Heads
Find out more (including a map to the Education Room!) 👉 https://barwoncoast.com.au/SummerCleaningCasuals2026

Some mixed news from our local Hooded Plovers 🐦

Unfortunately, the nests at 13th Beach and Blue Rocks have both failed. It appears the nest at Signpost, 13th Beach, hatched, but sadly the chicks did not survive. We are unsure of the cause - these little birds have lots of introduced and natural threats to deal with.

In more hopeful news, we’re seeing early signs of nesting activity at four locations across our coast – 13th Beach, Bancoora, Breamlea and Ocean Grove. 🤞

Please help give our hopeful Hooded Plover parents the best chance of success:

💙 Give birds, nests and chicks plenty of space
💙 Keep dogs on-lead and away from nesting areas
💙 Respect temporary fencing, closures and signage
💙 Walk close to the waterline and away from the dunes

Wish them luck – and please follow the signs and help give these little beach-nesting birds the space they need.

As always, a huge thank you to the Friends of the Hooded Plover Bellarine for their incredible work identifying and monitoring Hooded Plovers along our coast. 💛

🐚 Don’t forget – the Barwon Coast Discovery Centre is open extra days during the school holidays!
They’re open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1–4pm, so if you’ve got a little nature lover in the family, bring them along to check out some seriously cool stuff from our coast – from marine creatures and wildlife to geology, shipwrecks and local history. 🌊🔎
A big thank you to our friends at Friends of the Lobster Pot for giving visitors and our community even more opportunities to learn, explore and discover this special part of the coast. 💙
📍 Jetty Road, Barwon Heads
⏰ 1–4pm
💙 Free entry – all ages welcome
Find out more: https://barwoncoast.com.au/explore/barwon-coast-discovery-centre/

🌊 One last big day of the Barwon Heads Nature Festival!
Friday 25 September brings two great opportunities to celebrate – and care for – our local environment.
🧤 Barwon Heads Great Spring Clean Up - 10.00 am–12.00 pm, Lahey Square
Join the community and lend a hand to help keep Barwon Heads and our beautiful coastal environment looking its best.
🎬 Turning the Tide short film festival - 7.00–9.00 pm, Barwon Heads Hall
Then settle in for an evening of short films celebrating our oceans and the people working to protect them.
Find out more about these events and everything else happening as part of the festival:
https://www.barwonbluff.com.au/nature-festival/
A fantastic way to finish a week celebrating nature in Barwon Heads. 💚

🌱 Lend a hand at Bukareeyoo🌱
Our friends at Ocean Grove Coastcare have an upcoming regeneration event at Bukareeyoo – and they’d love some extra hands!
Join the group to help remove the environmental weed Euphorbia terracina and care for this beautiful part of our coast.
📅 Sunday 27 September
⏰ 10am–12pm
📍 BUK110 – the last car park before the Barwon Heads bridge. Look out for the Coastcare flag.
Gloves and tools will be provided, or bring your own.
Due to the plant’s irritating sap, the weeding activity isn’t suitable for children. Younger Coastcarers are still very welcome to come along with an adult and help collect rubbish.

☀️ Looking for summer work by the coast?
We’re recruiting at least 15 Casual Cleaning Officers to join our caravan park and campground team for the busy 2026–27 peak season.
Students, backpackers, seasonal workers and anyone looking for casual work are encouraged to come along to our recruitment event.
📅 Friday 9 October
⏰ 10 am–12 pm
📍 Education Room, Barwon Heads
Cleaning experience is preferred, but training is available for people with the right attitude and work ethic.
Come along, meet the team and find out if a summer with Barwon Coast could be for you.
👉 https://barwoncoast.com.au/SummerCleaningCasuals2026

🥾🛶 Walk, paddle and discover during the Barwon Heads Nature Festival

What better way to celebrate our local environment than getting out and experiencing it? There are some fantastic opportunities during the Barwon Heads Nature Festival, including:

🌿 Monday 21 September, 10.00 am – Explore Barwon Bluff
🛶 Monday 21 September, 10.00 am–12.00 pm and 12.30–2.30 pm – Canoe the Mangroves
🌱 Tuesday 22 September, 10.00 am – Walk on Country @ Barwon Bluff with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners
🌸 Wednesday 23 September, 10.00 am – Orchids in the Park
🌊 Wednesday 23 September, 7.00–9.00 pm – Land, Sea, Sky slide night
🔬 Thursday 24 September, 1.00–3.00 pm – Tide & Seek: a family ‘marine science’ day

These are just some of the events Friends of the Bluff have planned for a nature-filled week in Barwon Heads.