Located at Williamstown, next to to the former Williamstown Rifle Range, the area covers 30 ha and supports rock basalt reef, seagrass beds, intertidal flats, saltmarsh and the largest occurrence of mangroves in Port Phillip Bay.

The little promontory, west of the beach at Williamstown, is known as 'The Jawbone'. Fenced off from the rest of the world for over eighty years by a coastal rifle range, this forgotten and unspoilt place is now considered a haven for coastal and marine life right next to Melbourne.

The relatively untouched rocky shores support a diverse and abundant range of animal life rarely seen elsewhere in the bay. The presence of large turban shells, limpets and snails is striking. The rock pools boast pretty gardens of green or pink coralline algae. Numerous seastars and crabs inhabit the crevices, while shrimps and small fish dart amongst the weed.

Snorkel over the reefs and patches of seagrass of the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary and look out for Globe Fish.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters. Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria