Learning more

Where is the boat harbour that inspired this panel?

The Jetty Road (Drysdale) boat harbour is located off the northern end of Jetty Road, Drysdale. On the western side of the boat harbour is a stretch of sandy beach near a dismantled pier dating from the turn of twentieth century. Piers in the area were used for bathing and for mooring the steamers that brought people from Melbourne to 'take the waters' at Clifton Springs.

Above the boat harbour is a cliff top walk that includes a pathway through the Adrian Mannix Reserve. From the cliffs, there are views west towards Geelong and north to the You Yangs mountains across Corio Bay.

Why "Thalee Thalee"?

“Thalee thalee” is the Wathaurong phrase meaning “twilight” and twilights on the North Bellarine are often spectacular. The Wathaurong people's sacred emblem 'Bunjil' (Wedge-tailed Eagle) soars overhead in this panel and in many of the others.

Why do people dive near the old pier?

Many people dive here looking for old 'torpedo' bottles from the time when the nearby mineral springs were at the heart of a healthy commercial venture. However, there is a lot of sand and sediment here, which can make such scavenging tricky.

People also dive here to see seahorses, nudibranchs, stingrays and pipefish.

Who visits the Jetty Road boat harbour at Twilight?

The views from the shores and the cliffs are magnets for photographers and, indeed, to anyone who loves a good sunset reflected in the water of Corio Bay!

Admirers of the views join the many fishers who regularly cast lines for the favourite local snapper, together with the occasional flathead, bream, trevally, whiting and squid. Several boat hire companies operate on the Bay, but many fishers bring their own boats.

How many peaks are in the You Yangs?

The panel shows the You Yangs looming across the Bay. Strangely, the number of peaks in the You Yangs depends on your vantage point. Try looking at the You Yangs from different vantage points on the Bellarine and see how many peaks you can count.

Relevant organisations

• Bellarine Catchment Network: www.environmentbellarine.org.au
• Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group: www.geelongonefire.org.au
• Reconciliation Australia: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/
• Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative : http://www.wathaurong.org.au/
• Djillong: http://www.djillong.net.au