Jawbone Marine Sanctuary

Jawbone Marine Sanctuary is a 30-hectare marine protected area on the Williamstown foreshore in Hobsons Bay, Victoria, within Port Phillip. Established in 2002 and managed by Parks Victoria, it protects one of Port Phillip's few remaining mangrove, saltmarsh and basalt reef ecosystems. The sanctuary is notable for its intertidal rock platforms, seagrass beds and diverse marine life, offering accessible snorkelling and nature study close to central Melbourne.

Visitors can expect a sheltered coastal sanctuary with intertidal basalt reef, rock pools, mangroves and saltmarsh along the Williamstown foreshore. The area is accessed via Jawbone Reserve and Bayview Street. At low tide, exposed reef platforms reveal marine life for rock pooling and snorkelling in shallow, calm waters. The foreshore has walking tracks, bird hides and viewing areas for wading birds, with views across Port Phillip towards the Melbourne skyline.