Western Port Bay

Western Port
Western Port Bay
Western Port from French Island.
Western Port Location in Victoria
Map of Western Port
Location	Southern Victoria
Coordinates	38°22′S 145°20′E / 38.367°S 145.333°E / -38.367; 145.333Coordinates: 38°22′S 145°20′E / 38.367°S 145.333°E / -38.367; 145.333
Type	Saline, Permanent, Natural
Primary inflows	Bunyip River, Lang Lang River, Bass River, Cardinia Creek
Primary outflows	Bass Strait
Basin countries	Australia
Max. length	263 km (163 mi)
Surface area	680 km2 (260 sq mi)
Average depth	3 m (9.8 ft)
Max. depth	6 m (20 ft)
Surface elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Frozen	never
Islands	Phillip Island, French Island, Quail Island, Churchill Island
Settlements	Hastings, Tooradin, San Remo, Cowes

Western Port, commonly but unofficially known as Western Port Bay, is a large tidal bay in southern Victoria, Australia, opening into Bass Strait. It is the second largest bay in the state. Geographically, it is dominated by the two large islands; French Island and Phillip Island. Contrary to its name, it lies to the east of the larger Port Phillip, and is separated from it by the Mornington Peninsula. It is visited by Australian fur seals, whales and dolphins, as well as many migratory waders and seabirds. It is listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international significance.

The area around the bay and the two main islands were originally part of the Boonwurrung nation's territory prior to European settlement. Western Port was first seen by Europeans in 1798 when an exploration crew in a whaleboat led by George Bass, journeyed south from Sydney to explore Australia's south eastern coastline. Due in most part to a lack of food, the expedition was halted, spending two weeks in Western Port before returning to Sydney. As it was the most westerly charted point at the time, it was named Western Port; however, it actually lies in the eastern half of Victoria and to the east of the larger Port Phillip and Greater Melbourne.