Summer by the Sea is an annual festival organized by Coast Action/Coastcare program of the Department of Sustainability and Environment every January. It promotes coastal care and conservation by providing an opportunity to discover and appreciate the natural wonders of Victoria’s coastal and marine environments. Now in its 17th year, it runs from 3rd to 23rd January, with 300 free activities held in 80 locations along the Victorian coast.

Activities include guided walks and rockpool rambles, learning about marine and coastal creatures, bird watching, kayak and boat tours, snorkelling safaris, fishing, geology adventures, dogs’ breakfasts and photography lessons. Participants can also meet the Maremma dogs which guard the Little Penguins, try volunteering with Coastcare for a day and have a hands-on with marine monitoring.

Visit the Festival’s website, download the 2011 coloured program brochure, access its Facebook Page or check its event locations on Google Maps. The embedded map below shows the event locations in Melbourne’s western suburbs. You will need to zoom in to separate the icons and scroll around in order to read the individual details.


View Summer by the Sea in a larger map

Listed below are the various activities in Melbourne’s West. Refer to the 2011 program for activities in other parts of Melbourne and Victoria.

Altona

  • Dog’s Breakfast – Free Breakfast for Dogs and Owners!
    Sat 8 January 8:30am – 10:30am
    Meet at P.A. Burns Reserve, Altona Road, Seaholme
    Melways 55 B9
  • Walk on the Wild Side – Altona Seashell Safari
    Thurs 13 January 11:30 – 12:15pm
    Bookings essential 9654 0670
    Altona Pier Melways 54 H12
  • Coastal Creatures – Meet live snakes and lizards
    Thurs 20 January 10am – 3:30pm
    Friday 21 January 10am – 3:30pm
    Meet at Altona Library, corner of Queen St & Sargood St. Melways 54 G11


Altona North

  • Coastal Creatures – Meet live snakes and lizards
    Mon 17 January 10am – 3:30pm
    Tues 18 January 10am – 3:30pm
    Wed 19 10am – 3:30pm
    Meet at Altona North Library, Corner Millers & McArthurs Road. Melways 55 A2


Altona Meadows

  • Minibeast Safari – Waterwatch Melbourne
    Mon 10 January 9:30am – 10:30am
    Tuesday 11 January 9:30am – 10:30am
    Monday 17 January 9:30am – 10:30am
    Tuesday 18 January 9:30am – 10:30am
    Bookings essential 9932 1000, ask for the Hobsons Bay City Council Ranger Meet in the car park at the end of Andrew Park Dr, Altona Meadows Melways 208 K2


Newport

  • Fishy Business
    Sat 22 January 8:15am – 10:30am
    Bookings essential 0438 036 325 / 9932 1000 – Ask for the Hobsons Bay City Council Ranger.
    Meet at Greenwich Reserve and the Warmies boat ramp Melways 56 B5
    BYO Fishing gear

Point Cook

  • Rockpool Ramble – with a Parks Victoria Ranger
    Mon 10 January 2pm – 2:45pm
    Thurs 20 January 10am – 10:45am
    Bookings essential 0419 553 012 / 9393 9255
    Meet at Point Cook Marine Sanctuary. Follow the signs to Point Cook Coastal Park and proceed along Homestead Rd Meet at Point Cook Homestead car park / Café. Melways 199 J2
  • Birdwatching
    Wed 12 January 8:15am – 10:30am
    Thurs 13 January 9am – 11:15am
    Fri 14 January 9:15am – 11:30am
    Wed 19 January 8:15am – 10:30am
    Bookings essential 9932 1000 – Ask for the Hobsons Bay City Council Ranger.
    Meet at the Point Cook Tower car park. Follow the signs to Point Cook Coastal Park and proceed along Homestead Rd. Melways 199 J2
  • Coastal Discovery – Sea Search Marine Monitoring
    Fri 14 January 2:30pm – 6pm
    Bookings essential 9695 9017
    Meet at the Point Cook Tower car park. Follow the signs to Point Cook Coastal Park and proceed along Homestead Rd. Melways 199 J2
    No thongs Remember to Slip Slop Slap BYO snorkel gear

Werribee South

  • Walk on the Wild Side – Seashell Safari
    Thurs 13 January 2:00pm – 2:45pm
    Booking essential 9534 0413 / 0409 138 565
    Meet at Werribee River Pier, Grahams Reserve off Diggers Rd. Melways 209 E10

Williamstown

  • Marine Sanctuary Safari – Beach Photography
    Wed 12 January 10:30am – 11:30am
    Friday 21 January 10:30am – 11:30am
    Booking essential 0419 553 012 / 9393 9255
    Meet at Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, Mullins Court. Melways 55 J10
    BYO camera
  • Marine Sanctuary Snorkel Safari – Jawbone Marine Sanctuary
    Thurs 13 January 9:30am – 11:30am
    Booking essential 0419 553 012 / 9393 9255
    Meet at Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, Mullins Crt. Melways 55 J10
    Must be a competent swimmer and experienced at snorkelling, age 14 +, BYO snorkel gear
  • Walk on the Wild Side – Seashell Safari
    Thurs 13 January 10:00am – 10:45am
    Booking essential 9534 0413 / 0409 138 565
    Meet at the Timeball Tower, Point Gellibrand Melways 56 F10
  • Dog’s Breakfast – Free Breakfast for Dogs and Owners!
    Sat 15 January 8:30am – 10:30am
    Meet at Mullins Court. Melways 55 J10
  • Coastkids – Coastal Art for Youngsters
    Tues 11 January 11am – 12:30pm
    Wed 19 January 11am – 12:30pm
    Bookings essential 0419 553 012 / 9393 9255
    Meet at the Parks Victoria Office Williamstown, 82 Nelson Place. Melways 56 E 10 Ideal for children up to 10 years of age