Nestled in the crater of a dormant volcano, the Tower Hill Reserve, in south-west Victoria, Australia, is a haven for wildlife, a fascinating ecological site and a showcase for local Indigenous culture. Within its broad crater rim a number of volcanic cones rise from a lake in a formation known as a nested maar. Artefacts found in the layers of exposed ash show that Aboriginal people were living in the area at the time of the eruption, around 30 000 years ago.

Although Tower Hill was declared Victoria’s first National Park in 1892, the bush was eventually lost to farming and quarrying. A revegetation project began in the 1950s. Over several decades school children and other volunteer groups planted thousands of trees. As the bush returned, so did the wildlife.

Today, Worn Gundidj Co-operative, in co-operation with Parks Victoria, has revitalised Tower Hill. It is now a thriving nature reserve and natural history centre where visitors can experience the bush, enjoy magnificent scenery, see Australian birds and animals in their natural habitat and learn about local Indigenous culture.

Tower Hill Reserve is open every day of the year and entry is free.