The Mornington Peninsula's
O U R Wo r l d B e a t i n g P o r t P h i l l i p
multi-award winning
adventure tourism operator
- by Jeff Weir, Dolphin Research Institute
Bayplay is now a Victorian
Tourism Awards `Hall of
Nothing demonstrates what the Dolphin Research Institute's
Fame' inductee after being
"i sea, i care"® program is about more than the stories of two
named winners in their
world-first discoveries in Port Phillip. First is the colonisation
category for the third time on
of our Bay by an oceanic species of dolphin and second is the
Monday night.
discovery of the world's smallest sea star.
Owner-operators Amanda
Prior to 2006 Port Phillip only saw fleeting visits from the odd
Crestani and Gary Grant were
common dolphin but over the last 18 months it seems that
as well as specially tailored
ecstatic after the announcement:
we have had a completely unprecedented colonisation of Port
experiences for school camps
"It's great news for us and for
Phillip Bay by this oceanic species!
and excursions.
Peninsula tourism. The Mornington
To have an off-shore species colonise a bay such as Port
Peninsula really is the perfect
With sustainability as its core
Phillip is almost unheard of and therefore very significant.
aquatic adventure tourism base;
mission, Bayplay aims to provide
three distinctly different coasts
marine based adventure activities,
offering incredible encounters with
which can be used as a vehicle
beautiful creatures both above and
to teach people about the
below the sea," Amanda said.
environment. Their `One Stop
According to Gary: "Our team is
Adventure Shop' was created so
second to none, they're experts at
that clients only need to make one
what they do and they love doing it,
phone call to receive information on
they're passionate about their local
a wide range of adventure activities
environment - the seals, dolphins,
offered on the Peninsula including
penguins, seadragons - and they
sea kayaking, scuba diving, snorkel
love introducing people to how
tours, dolphin swims, horse riding,
Following the detection of what seems to be resident group
special this part of the world is.
surfing and more.
of common dolphins off Mornington, DRI's research team
"It's particularly gratifying to
discovered something very exciting..... the arrival of "Bouncer",
receive this sort of recognition
The new Bayplay `Adventure HQ'
a common dolphin calf, sometime in June.
for the operation as we open the
shop at Portsea will also offer sea
Since our first sighting Bouncer, who is only around 80cm, has
doors on our new Portsea tour
kayak sales as well as other aquatic
been seen on almost every trip. Bouncer initially stayed very
desk, retail store and apartments
adventure gear. By including
close to mum but lately has been showing signs of being quite
- right on the doorstep of our
an educational component to
adventurous, chasing small fish, approaching the research
beautiful marine parks,"
the adventures, visitors are able
vessel and generally seeming to be a bit of a handful! We are
The Bayplay teams offers
to observe weedy sea dragons
hoping to continue to monitor his progress.
accommodation only options, or a
with their young hiding in the sea
(P.S. Remember not to approach dolphins closer than 100m.)
combination of accommodation &
grasses as well as understand
adventure experiences. Adventure
Photo Above: Shows Bouncer and Mum near Mornington)
the life and death struggle of an
Tours may be booked as day tours
(Photo courtesy Museum of Victoria)
abalone as if fights off an
or as part of an extended stay
Port Phillip's very own "Paddle-spined seastar" is officially the
eleven-arm sea star. The end
with a lodge style accommodation
world's smallest species. Measuring less than 5 mm across,
goal is that visitors have a great
venue with unique rustic charm to
the tiny species lives amongst seaweeds and sponges.
time on the Peninsula with
cater for extended stay visitors.
something for everyone.
The discovery by Museum of Victoria scientists occurred as
The lodge offers shared facilities or
part of a major study of the marine species in our region, most
you can choose a private cottage
of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
Bayplay's Portsea shop,
for a small party of up to 6 people.
adventure HQ and apartments
The new species will feature in a series of marine species field
Groups can book out the lodge for
will officially open Saturday,
guides soon to be published by the Museum.
a weekend or holiday period for up
December 8 with activities
to 40 people.
It really does reinforce the incredible nature of our Bays!
planned throughout the day at
Bayplay offers accommodation
To find out how to get involved with "i sea, i care®"
3755 Pt Nepean Rd, Portsea
options, adventure tours, corporate
and help to protect Victoria's Marine Treasures, go to
(opposite the Portsea Hotel).
team building, marine education
courses, group stay & play options
or call (03) 5984 0888.
1300 130 949
Valuing Victoria's Living Marine Treasures
Proudly Sponsored by Visitor Publications The Mornington Peninsula Visitors Guide & Peninsula Wine Country
42
Peninsula Visitor . . . Summer 2007-08
