Have driven past this place what feels like a million times and have always intended on stopping. Well I finally did it! I was out with my 5 year old and the moment bestowed itself upon me. So I indulged... and well.. I realised I have a developing fear of heights.. maybe it's an age thing? I made it to the top, but was somewhat unsettled by the state of some of the wood... maybe it was that I watched Horton Hears a Who the night before and recounted the large elephant crossing the crumbling rope bridge...besides the point, I pictured myself breaking through the wood with every step I took. Managed to compose myself to take a couple happy snaps, which is when I realised I should have chosen a better day for the climb as the outlook was positively depressing and moody! Onwards!! To another day!

Went here with my wife and What can I say other than “WOW”. We’ve been meaning to do a day trip to the Koo Wee Rup observation tower from our home in Geelong for a long time now and finally got around to making the trip. You might need to do up your shoes right because this view will knock your socks off. Food was to die for. If you put a blind fold on me, I would’ve thought the hot dog and jam donut I had was prepared my jamie oliver himself. No toilets as some have said, so pack some loo roll and make a b-line for the bushes if you’re going to be here for the whole day. We got in early and were there from 9am-4pm. Definitely one to check out !

The Hot Jam Doughnuts were absolutely delicious. My first ever bite from your hot jam doughnuts toke me back to my child hood, when my mum would make us get off the St. Albans train at Footscray Station and pick up a 12 pk of Hot Jam Doughnuts from that little caravan shop ( lots of you will remember it ) will be stopping their again next time I head past P.S My mate fondly remembers when he, his older brother and dad would go fishing, they would always pull in there along the way and they would all get hot dogs each ❤

Anyone I'm the area, whether you're a local or passing through, needs to at some point check out the observation tower. Its a little bit of a climb to the top, but very much worth it. You can peer over the surrounding suburbs and out into the top end of Westernport Bay. There's also one of those plaques at the top that shows you the distance from significant landmarks, which is pretty cool. If you're a fisho as well there is also limited access to the Bunyip River here as well.

Its great for a quick stop. There are picnic tables so you can take a break on your journey also going to the top of the lookout tower gives you fantastic views right across the land as far a you can see... Its also is fantastic way to find out a little on the local area and how it was developed many years ago. With some parts of the original machinery that was used to dredge the area years ago is on display.

The perfect spot to clear your head. You can also see the vast plains and the sunset atop. Coffee and Donuts available in the area It's just that when it's too windy the tower is shaky..recommend not to climb up if you're not fond of it.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Peaceful little spot to stop and rest and clear your head. The view is always so gorgeous no matter how many times you go here. During the day a van is set up with fresh apples and hot jam donuts to enjoy. There is also a little river next to the car park where you can fish.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

Great doughnuts, fresh fruit and vegetables (especially the local asparagus) and always a fun experience walking up the lookout tower and seeing a good distance around the area. No tickets or entry fee. Coffee was cheap and pretty tasty!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The tower itself is extraordinarily underwhelming but there's a grouse food truck there where you can get 3 steamed dimmies for $2 or eat your way to diabeetus with a dozen hot jam donuts. Watch out for the potholes. There is more pothole than carpark. It's more like a giant pothole with small patches of carpark.

Went for the hot jam donuts, which are always brilliant. The carpark and entry / exit off Sth Gippsland Hwy is poorly maintained. Lots of pot holes to negotiate whilst trying to turn into a 100kmh zone.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

This spot is really good for watching storms or even the aurora australis as it's away from all the light pollution, yet it's close enough to get too without having to drive all the way to the southern points of the coast. During the day there is also usually a good truck in the car park.

I like the observation tower. With the hot jam donut place being just near, you can have a little stop and reset before you keep going on the drive. It would be nice to see a little playground for the kids in the space that's there. It would give you more reason to stop for a bit longer.

The council that runs this look out is a total joke - Cardinia! I sold seafood and had great success at this site for years. We had to pay a high amount of rent which drove us out of business. They did not care for small businesses. Shame on you Cardinia Shire!. Fisho Seafoods - James

Wouldn't go out of my way to stop here, the main attraction is actually the fresh hot jam donut van that's permanently positioned in the car park. There isn't toilets, the climb isn't for the faint hearted and if you drive a little further you would be greeted with a much nicer view.

The majesty of this lookout can not, I repeat can not be understated. Hot Jam donuts are greatest food source known to man/nongenderspecificpronounidentifier. However be careful with the heat of the jam, as it can make a Hawaiian volcano look like an ice bath in comparison.

Nice country side drive. There is a donut shop there which was still open in the middle of a thunderstorm. Looked like a decent place to chill. Also a nice short drive from Dandenong. About 35 mins. And on the way to Philips Island or Wilson's prom.

My husband always has to stop here on our way to the Island. It's a bit of a family joke now, but I've come to look forward to it. It didn't get all the stars because I'm afraid of heights... but I force my self up it because it's worth the view.

Nice little rest area for a stop and stretch of the legs after a long car trip! It’s got amazing views! I enjoy coming here after any long car trip!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No

Good spit to stop, usually has donut van on site on weekends, can be a little tricky to pull out back onto the highway, the entrance is just on the blind side of the bend, wouldn't recommend especially is your towing a boat or horse float

Its was a place to stop and stretch out our legs. There was a coffee and donut van there which was great because we were in need of some coffee. Bur there is no where to go to the toilet which is another reason for wanting to stop.

Stop here on the way to Phillip Island I thought we'd have a look around grab something to eat some nice jam doughnuts and no entrance fee to go to the tower Observation Deck
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

Mr Hot Dog stand is worth the pit stop, get your fully loaded double dog for just 7 smackaroos, hell pick up some veggies while your there to blanket the junk food guilt.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

It may not look too fancy, but it is one of the locations for nightscape photography that is close to drive from the CBD. You can see the milky way, or even the Aurora Australis with a nice view of the observation tower!

A nice little stop. There isn't much view from the tower, but it has a history of dredging shown with a wheel and plaques. There is a hot dog kiosk but they don't accept card!!! And a picnic bench, but no toilets.

Good place to stop for a hotdog, doughnut or a coffee while you take a look around on top of the tower. Shame after all these years and the amount of people who stop here there is no public convenience here.

Simply a handy place to stretch your legs during a long drive. Usually has road side vendor/s selling their wares here. Tower gives a great view it's just that there isn't really much to see from it though.

Stop for some yummy jam doughnuts and hot chocolate from roadside food truck. No rest rooms - toilets.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Great place to see and hear what's left of the wild life, being so close to the brick and concrete jungle.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Some of Julie Thatcher's work here at home. A false steel grey forelock and trophy's of my making of all the manes, forelocks and tails for the movies Racing Stripes and Australia the movie.

Good spot to stop for a stretch of the legs, snack on some yummy hot jam donuts and enjoy the view.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The donuts by outback Jack's donut van are worth the stop alone. The view from the tower on a nice day are spectacular. Great place to stop on your way down to island or Wonthaggi

Simple place to stop, grab some old school jam doughnuts, go up the tower and enjoy the view while getting into those doughnuts!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

Pretty average, view of the marshlands and the edge of Westernport bay/French island.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Good place to stop and stretch the legs... theres a donut van there also which was another reason for us to stop; however for the prices charged, we now just leg stretch!

Very cool little stop on the highway. Nice views from the top and often has a food truck in the car park. Definitely would recommend as a place to stop on your way past.

It was excellent but was very shaky would not recommend for younger kids because when windy it will shake quite alot
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

It's nice little pit stop, and have a hot dog/donut food truck during the day.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Great little stop where you can get coastal views and the surrounding pastures. Plus do try some fresh hot jam donuts or hotdogs etc from Outback Jack's van.

Ive always driven by this and never stopped. This time it was the HOT JAM DOUGHNUTS that lead us over, can never go by DOUGHNUTS and man they were the best.

One of the great things you see from this tower is the doughnut van. We bought a hot dog, doughnuts, and dimsims - all good. Plus a large $4 bag of apples.

A good rest area for drivers to/fro Philip Island. A nice food truck with great coffee with finger food.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

Its just a large amount of stairs and a couple platforms. Nothing much around it. But good place to stop for a smoko and let kids and dog out to stretch.

Take away food van sells the best Hotdogs and jam donuts during the day, at night time look out for alien mother ship rising out of the swamp …

Been going here since I was a kid traveling down to the Island. Average views but the donuts are awesome. Great place to stop and have a stretch.

Dimmis donuts and apples are the best I'll go there again
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Donut Van located here is the best. The view from the tower is awesome. Great place yo stretch legs for those taking drive down to the island

Beautiful place, nice and quite perfect for inner peace
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Best place to stop for dim sims, donuts and coffee.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The tower needs some mantenance. The view to the bay is beautiful, nice pic nic area too. The Donut van is ok, did not like the coffee.

Excellent views from the top, its worth coming up.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Lovely look out great photos spot and watching the sunset was beautiful, great coffee / donut van in car park during the day …

Love the Hot jam doughnuts at the location. Always do a little pit stop when going to Phillip Island..
Visited on
Weekend

Near a busy road, but a fun place for a brief stop with kids. You'll often see small planes overhead from the nearby airfield.

Good place to pull over for a quick break. Usually has a hotdog/doughnut can here. Some interesting historical plaques

It's a nice view. It was a little scary cos of the wind. The donut man left as we were coming down so we missed him.

Whenever I go to phillip island I visit here. Great view, awesome donut truck. Would recommend to any and everyone

Nice place to break a trip, especially with younger children, plus the roadside stall sells the best jam donuts!!

Great stop and usually always a donut or coffee van there. Amazing views once you climb to the top of the tower.

Great donut truck here
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Ample parking, nice view day or night. Good spot to sit and have a packed lunch with or without the kids.

It’s a nice stop over with a view and to munch on some hotdogs and piping hot donuts.Kids will love it!

Good resting place and doughnut van is usually there on weekends they sell coffee too (not bad either)

Dropped in for a coffee at the food van, a little hard to slow down with traffic up your backside

Looking tired. No toilet, but plenty of people seemed to have used the bush close by as a toilet.

Nice stop for a rest and snack (Hot Jam Donuts) and to look out over the swamp/river/ countryside

Good place, nothing much to kill time.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

The van there sell amazing donuts and hotdogs. Very clean area, plenty of parking.

Great view's..you can get yummy jam doughnuts and fresh fruit and veg while there

Stopped there on the way to Phillip island. Coffee and donuts van was there too.

Beautiful views. Usually has donut truck or vans selling fresh local produce

Will stop there each time. Nice Hotdog/donuts. Like the view on the tower.

Good doughnuts, and good fresh fruit, make sure you buy the apples

It'll look good with a coat of paint. Good hotdogs and donuts too

Great views, tower sways a little but nothing to complain about.

Great spot to stop. Mostly for the donuts and coffee!

Honestly isn’t anything there just a river No toilet

Unique look out tower, memorable experience.

Quaint little tower, nothing more though.

Amazing Aurora Australis view from here

Hot dogs from the caravan are top notch