Tower Hill lies on the southwestern coast of Victoria, Australia. It is the remnants of a volcano that once blew its entire bottom two-thirds far, far away. The cone top that was left landed in the newly-created crater, and the resultant 'plop' as it did so can still be heard echoing through the hills.

Seasonal Population

In times of rainfall, the central island of cones is surrounded by a spectacularly clear circular lake about a metre deep. All manner of water-loving fauna take up residence there and a plethora of bird-watchers sit very still in the long grass to watch. In dry times, the island is surrounded by a ring of smelly mud.

Permanent Population

The island in the centre is guarded by a squadron of emus. The emu is the second largest flightless bird on the planet. It possesses a beak and claws capable of tearing apart a picnic roast in seconds. This weaponry is hardly ever used as the emu has large black eyes, larger bushy black eyebrows fixed in a scowl and a stare that's set in a bullying expression, as if to say, 'Got any food? No? Go get some'. People have described the experience of being surrounded by emus as feeling like a 'lab rat that is about to feel the effects of the last injection'. The best way to get past them is to pull out some food and throw it at someone you don't know.

Exploration

There are many well-marked walks to be taken. Most people opt for a walk around the top of the cones and the arrangement of underwater reeds and their colouration in the centre will remind you of staring into a gigantic eye... or some underwater reeds.

The excruciating climb to the summit of the highest cone is beneficial to international and interstate travellers. At the summit there is a large brass plaque set in the ground that will tell them how many thousand kilometres you should travel and which direction you should go to get home.