The small, bushland reserve The Gurdies Reserve lies east of Western Port Bay and borders The Gurdies Nature Conservation Park, managed by Parks Victoria. The reserve itself is managed by Bass Coast Shire Council. The similarly named The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve is a separate protected area in The Gurdies. Keep the names distinct when finding your way around: access points and permitted activities each refer to a specific area.
Reserves and access points
To the north, The Gurdies Reserve can be accessed at the end of Hendy Lane; to the east, access is from Woodland Close. These access details provide different reference points. Local access conditions may change, so check them before your visit.
Walking paths in the town
Specific street references are useful for finding walking paths in The Gurdies. The Bass Coast Shire Council path register from June 2024 lists a footpath on Bass Highway between Gurdies St Helier Road and Grantville Glen Alvie Road. Another paved footpath runs along Gurdies St Helier Road from Bass Highway to the end of the paved road surface and a bus stop. The two descriptions can be distinguished by their reference points: the first section lies between two roads, while the second also specifies the end of the paved surface and a bus stop.
Nature watching and trail use
The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve can be reached via Bass Highway or Dunbabbin Road in The Gurdies. Native orchids and other wildflowers bloom there in spring; flowering depends on conditions. Birdwatching is also possible. Look out for honeyeaters and rosellas, although sightings vary. Flowering is clearly seasonal, taking place in spring, while bird sightings cannot be planned with certainty.
Mountain biking is permitted on vehicle-width tracks in The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve. Horses may use vehicle-width tracks south of the central management track, as well as the management track itself. The rules vary by activity: for horses, the location of the tracks and the central management track are specified in addition to track width.
Wine in The Gurdies
The Gurdies Winery is located at 215 Gurdies St Helier Road, The Gurdies, Victoria 3984. The winery produces varietal and blended wines from eight grape varieties grown on site, using traditional winemaking methods. Its production includes both varietal wines and blends, and all eight grape varieties are estate-grown.
Planning your trip
For planning purposes, you can sort the information by practical question: the town’s walking paths can be identified by their roads and endpoints, while cycling and horse riding depend on the specified track types in the nature reserve. Flowering takes place in spring, and bird sightings vary. If you’re looking for a holiday rental in The Gurdies, this distinction can help you decide what you’d like to focus on during your stay.
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