Werribee South Boat Ramp A 30.0 Km Easy Drive From The City
At the time of writing, boaties are calling on assistance to have the Werribee South Boat Ramp repaired.
Technically there are six boat ramps at Werribee South. I say “technically” because on my last visit earlier in 2019 several were badly obstructed by silt and weed growth.
Look, as much as I historically love the area for pier fishing – the fact is the state of the boat ramps is a disgrace. That’s a state government issue. They promised at the Nov 2018 election this would be a Melbourne-wide priority.
There’s also a car park dedicated to vehicles with boat trailers – which is excellent. As well as a toilet block that is utterly disgusting at times. Indeed the toilets are often so bad they resemble what I’d imagine a secret, lethal disease laboratory to look and smell like.
Werribee South Boat Ramp A 30.0 Km Easy Drive From The City
As of October 2019 usage of the boat ramp is free, along with associated parking.
The Victorian Government has announced plans to rebuild the boat ramp.
We’ll see…
But the state of the toilet block, I think, comes back to the local council.
It’s often been in a disgusting state in the last few years. I understand some people abuse public facilities. But that’s no excuse for neglect.
Hopefully, this will be corrected, as the local press are running feature stories on the boat ramp neglect as recently as September 2018.
Dredging is a major issue at the boat ramp.
Weed and silt build-up has made launching tricky on some of the smaller ramps, reducing the number of boats that can be simultaneously launched.
That’s a real shame as just offshore there’s some great bay fishing for flathead, whiting and squid. Even gummy sharks for those venturing out into deeper water.
Plus, because the prevailing wind is often westerly, the bay is often flat and glass-like here. Making it a great place for launching and fishing in smaller boats and kayaks.
The boat ramp is adjacent to the Werribee South Pier.
Kayak Fishing Werribee Boat Ramp
You certainly can launch a kayak from the boat ramp.
There’s plenty of trailer parking – or if you’re roof topping there’s a lot of free parking available for regular vehicles, too.
From the ramp, you can paddle upstream of the river mouth. Or make your way out onto the bay.
You can just as easily launch your kayak from the Werribee South Beach if you’d prefer to avoid the boat ramp during the silly season (summer holidays.)
The Boat Ramp is adjacent to the Werribee South Pier and associated parking areas. There are some family BBQ and play areas if you are looking for a spot to have a picnic after fishing the bay.
Werribee South Boat Ramp & Navigation
The Werribee River Estuary is navigable by small boats upstream for several kilometres.
It is possible to paddle a kayak or navigate a small tinny to target bream and even flathead within the estuary.
Just keep well clear of the navigation channel towards the boat ramp and river mouth.
Launching your boat or even kayak from the boat ramp allows you to head out into Port Phillip Bay to target species such as Flathead, Whiting, Snapper and even Gummy Sharks.
Werribee South Boat Ramp Fish Species
| Fish Species | Quick Info |
|---|---|
 Australian SalmonArripis trutta | Common for schools to move through, chopping up the water before moving on. Can be common during cooler months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets |
 SnapperMugilidae sp | Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets |
 Pinky Snapper (Juvenile Snapper)Mugilidae sp | Much more prevalent during warmer months. This name applies to juvenile specimens of Snapper. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets |
 FlatheadPlatycephalus sp | But much more prevalent during warmer months.. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets |
| Australian Salmon Arripis trutta | Common for schools to move through, chopping up the water before moving on. Can be common during cooler months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Flathead Fillets, Mullet Fillets, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Squid Hoods, Squid Tentacles, Whitebait, Whiting Fillets |
 Southern Black BreamAcanthopagrus butcheri | Can become less active during Winter. Activity picking up in late August. Active during warmer months. Bait: Bluebait, Chicken Breast, Crabs, Earthworms, Mussels, Pilchards, Pipis, Prawns, Sandworms, Whitebait |
 Squid or CalamariSepioteuthis australis | Best fished when waters are clear with little turbulence. Top times can be during June to September. Bait: |
Werribee South Boat Ramp Review Summary
Despite having a soft spot for fishing the pier and the great fishing grounds nearby the boat ramp and toilets really needs some ongoing TLC.
By both the state government and local council.
There’s no good reason for this not to be an excellent boat ramp – it just needs political will.
On my most recent trip down (late 2020) the ramp was an utter disgrace. I would have to say some of the councils are not living up to the arrangement and or responsibility of care.
Clogged with weeds and fouling propellers is not “better boating.”
Pros
- Close to Melbourne
- Two to three boats can launch at a time
- Pretty Good Docking Area
- Calm Launching Conditions
- Free Trailer Parking Free
- Free Non-Trailer Car Parking
- Access Port Phillip Bay
- Public Toilets If You’re Brave
Cons
- Some ramps were blocked at the time of writing, by silt and weed
- Can get very busy during peak season
- The toilets have been a disgrace for years
- At the time of writing the river channel and ramp need dredging – urgently
