Bridgewater Bay

Located in the small Australian beach community of Blairgowrie in Victoria, Australia, Bridgewater Bay is a small bay known for its many rock pools connecting to the Bass Strait off the coast of Australia. This Australian body of water is known for its crystal clear blue waters and is a popular recreational destination for residents and tourists alike.

Where Is Bridgewater Bay?

Bridgewater Bay is located just south of Melbourne, with a shoreline in the tourist town of Blairgowrie, located on the Mornington Peninsula between Port Phillip Bay to the North and Bridgewater Bay to the south. Surrounding Bridgewater Bay are cliffs popular among visitors for cliff diving. When headed west of Bridgewater Bay, the Mornington Peninsula ends and creates the opening of which creates Victory Blight which leads north to Ticonderoga Bay, northwest of Blairgowrie.

Climate In The Region

The warm season lasts approximately 3.2 months, from December 6 to March 14, with an average daily high temperature generally above 75.2 Fahrenheit. The hottest month of the year in Bridgewater is January, with an average high of 80.6 Fahrenheit and a low of 57.2 Fahrenheit. Winter lasts approximately 3.5 months, from May 22 to September 7, adorned by an average daily high temperature of 59 Fahrenheit. The coldest month of the year in the Bridgewater Bay area is July, with an average low of 39.2 Fahrenheit and a high of 53.6 Fahrenheit.

Wildlife In The Bridgewater Bay

The waters in Bridgewater Bay are home to a diverse array of marine species. Sea sponges, kelp, and an array of microscopic organisms can be found nestled along the rocks and reefs in the area. Blue whales, great white sharks, and penguins are some of the iconic species that can be found in the waters. In terms of shellfish, lobster and abalone are quite common within this bay and are often reflected in the cuisine found across Australia. This Bay, connected to the Bass Strait, is extremely important for spider crabs and their migrations and molting. Other marine life, like octopus, cuttlefish, seahorses, boxfish, stingrays, and much more, also inhabit the Bridgewater Bay.

Major Settlements Along The Bridgewater Bay

Located on Bridgewater Bay is the coastal town of Blairgowrie in the Mornington Peninsula to the south of the central business district of the Melbourne area. The town is not too old, with its post office only opening on November 1, 1947. Blairgowrie has grown quickly and is home to approximately 2,786 residents. Regarding recreation, Blairgowrie Pier is an extremely popular spot, especially in the hot months of the year. The Blairgowrie pier is primarily used for scuba diving and is famous for identifying over one hundred nudibranch species. 

Economic Importance

Bridgewater Bay and the Bass Strait are quite important economically. Local towns such as Blairgowrie, Rye, Sorrento, and St.Andrews Beach are nestled along the coastline of this resource-abundant body of water. In terms of economy, the adjacent towns, especially Blairgowrie, benefit greatly from Bridgewater Bay through tourism. Tourists from all over Victoria State and beyond travel to Bridgewater Bay to see the various rockpools, aquatic life, and sunsets and experience the local recreational activities the towns offer, such as spas, resorts, inns, cafes, scuba diving, and beaches. Fishing is another prominent industry in the area.

Thus, the Bridgewater Bay plays an important role as a source of recreation, fishing, and transport. However, while the beach along the bay is great for walking and relaxing, swimming must be avoided at certain places due to the rocky nature of the coastline. Some of the rock pools, however, are very popular among swimmers and divers.