Was this entire coastline once known as “Indented Head”? It might sound strange, but it’s true. Today, we stand at the edge of the quaint coastal village known as Indented Head.
Indented Head, nestled on the Bellarine Peninsula, boasts a past as rich and captivating as the view across Port Phillip Bay. Its story begins long before the arrival of European settlers, with the Wathaurong people, the traditional custodians of this land. Imagine their lives intertwined with the sea, their knowledge passed down through generations.
In 1802, explorer Matthew Flinders, while charting the Australian coastline, gazed upon this very spot from atop Arthurs Seat. He saw the unique indentation of the peninsula and marked it on his maps, unknowingly etching the name “Indented Head” into history. Initially, the name applied to the entire peninsula, showcasing the power of a single observation.
But Indented Head’s story goes beyond names on a map. It whispers tales of early encounters between European settlers and the First Australians. In 1835, John Batman, a key figure in Melbourne’s founding, established a camp here, setting the stage for a remarkable encounter with William Buckley. Buckley, an escaped convict, had lived with the Wathaurong people for over three decades. His return to colonial life after such a long time became a sensation.
Today, Indented Head retains its charm as a peaceful seaside escape. As you stroll along its sandy beaches, gaze upon the skeletal remains of the PS Ozone, a paddle steamer deliberately sunk as a breakwater in 1925. The wreck, a silent sentinel of time, serves as a constant reminder of Indented Head’s layered past, where the echoes of explorers, settlers, and the enduring presence of the Wathaurong people intertwine.