Swan Bay and Swan Island are the original land and waterways of the Wadawurrung who have cared and nurtured this country and wetlands for over 60,000 years.

In early 1802, Australian explorer Lieutenant John Murray RN named the bay and its island after the Black Swans. Swan Bay is home to about 3,000 Black Swans in summer and autumn.

Swan Bay was recognised in 1982 as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Its habitats support almost 200 bird species and are visited by thousands of migratory shorebirds and numerous waterbirds.