Meet the site
Walkerville South is the small holiday settlement on the western shore of Waratah Bay where, from the 1870s to the 1920s, limestone quarried from the cliffs was burned in six kilns whose ruins still stand at the southern end of the beach, and it is the Cape Liptrap coast's sheltered swimming, rock-pooling and snorkelling beach. Visit Gippsland describes a flat, narrow foreshore that is kid-friendly for swimming and rock pooling, with access along the beach to Walkerville North at low tide, and no boat launching. What is there is a limestone and mudstone shoreline sheltered by Cape Liptrap, with rock ledges and weed beds running out from the cliff base below the kilns into the sandy bay at 2–10 m: kelp and mixed algae on the rock, sea stars, crabs, abalone and small crayfish in the crevices, wrasse, leatherjackets, zebrafish, mullet and juvenile fish over the reef, stingarees and flathead on the sand, and, in the clear water Waratah Bay is known for on calm days, the occasional seadragon along the weed edge. The bay's eastern aspect means it is calm in the westerly weather that closes the ocean coast, and its facilities – caravan park, toilets, car parks and a store in summer – make it easy. Waratah Bay is also the western approach to the Prom's Glennie Group from the Sandy Point beach ramp on the bay's eastern side, and divers camping at Walkerville for a Prom trip use the beach as a check-out dive or a blown-out-day snorkel. Treat it as a pleasant, sheltered, shallow snorkel-and-scuba beach with historic interest rather than a destination.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Walkerville South (Lime Kilns) is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Bass Coast. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Walkerville South (Lime Kilns) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Walkerville South (Lime Kilns) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Wrasse, leatherjackets, zebrafish, mullet, stingarees, flathead, sea stars, crabs, abalone, small southern rock lobster, kelp and algae, possible weedy seadragons
Location
Sheltered beach and limestone-cliff shoreline at Walkerville South on the western side of Waratah Bay, below the historic lime kilns, within Cape Liptrap Coastal Park.
Facilities nearby
Lower and upper car parks, caravan park, toilets, seasonal store at Walkerville South; nearest shops at Fish Creek/Foster; no air fills
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
visitgippsland.com.auparks.vic.gov.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.