Walkerville Coastal Geology Honorary Beach Walk

When: Sunday, 9th of March 2025, 1.00 p.m – 4.00 p.m

Where: Meet near the Corner of Bayside Drive and Holt Street, Walkerville North

Tickets: $15.00

Cost includes a guided tour with palaeontologist Mike Cleeland, morning tea and a copy of Gary’s book 'Walkerville Coastal Geology - A walk from Walkerville North to Bird Rocks'

Join us for this unique opportunity to explore one of Victoria’s oldest rock formations and witness the remnants of ancient natural environments while we honour the memory of Gary Wallis - local field geologist, rock specialist and a founding member of Prom Coast Ecolink. 

About Gary

Gary Wallis, who sadly passed away in May 2024, was a field geologist, teacher, scientific consultant, beef and dairy farmer, rock specialist and lyrebird fanatic. He was an ecological visionary with a lifetime love of the South Gippsland bush and an encyclopaedic knowledge of local geology, flora and fauna. 

Gary was a Prom Coast Ecolink founding member and built on an idea he seeded as a graduate in the 1970s, which was to strengthen a network of wildlife corridors through South Gippsland. When Gary first conceived the idea of a biolink network 40 years ago, he originally named it the Lyrebird Link as the core proposal was to protect the remnant Superb Lyrebird population in South Gippsland. A subject close to his heart, he advocated for such a network in various roles for the remainder of his life.

Gary was fluent in the geological timescale for Gippsland that spanned 540 million years to the present day. He understood the different timescales that we inhabit – our human lifespan, the multi-century lifecycle of a forest, the geological eras where humans and dinosaurs are squished into a tiny little blip in the greater scheme of things. 

The walk will coincide with a special, second edition print run of Gary’s popular book ‘Walkerville Coastal Geology - A walk from Walkerville North to Bird Rocks’.  

Please bring along a flask of your preferred afternoon beverage - some light refreshments will be served once we reach Walkerville South 

What to bring: comfortable and sturdy footwear, sun hat, sunscreen, water, hot drink, and a folding chair or picnic rug if you wish (although there are plenty of rocks to perch on!). As well as pens, paper, binoculars, camera - or any other preferred tools to enrich your experience in nature!  

Access: The walk along the beach is mostly flat but includes some rocks, so shoes with good tread are encouraged.

Amenity: Please note, the beach walk is distant from amenity so please ensure you bring anything you may need to see you comfortable and safe. Public toilets are accessible at both Walkerville North where we begin our walk, and Walkerville South where we break.  

Important Note : As this walk is weather dependent, the following Sunday 16th March will be a holding date if the 9th is unsuitable. We should know within a week of the event what the weather has in store!

See you there !