Tower Hill Visitors Centre

Client: Parks Victoria
Location: Victoria
Project: Tower Hill Visitors Centre
Completion Date: August 2024
Completion Time: 18 Months
Value: $3.3M

The project involved the restoration of the Tower Hill Visitors Centre and Amenities Block.

The centre is located on Eastern Maar Country, 13km west of Warrnambool within the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve.

The building, included on the Victorian Heritage Register, was designed by renowned mid century architect Robin Boyd and opened in 1971. Boyd believed in designing functional buildings tailored to the specific site in which they were constructed. You can see this in the shape of the building, which recalls a volcanic cone and affords 360-degree views of the park. Inside, a hollow central stone column supports the roof and calls to mind the core of the volcano.

This was a two-phase design and construct refurbishment of the Visitor Centre and Amenities Block, as well as associated services infrastructure and footpath upgrades.

The scope of works include:

• Heritage restoration and conservation works
• Replacement of membrane roofing
• Removal of lead paint
• Cleaning and sealing of perimeter stone walls
• Associated carpentry works
• New lighting and electrical upgrades.


The amenities block, constructed from limestone rubble walls, was similarly restored, with the toilets reconfigured to accommodate additional flexible spaces within the building.


https://www.architecture.com.au/archives/awards/tower-hill-wildlife-reserve