Welcome to the Urquhart Bluff PWC (Jet Ski) Zone Information site.
This page has been created to provide clear and accessible information about the designated PWC riding area at Urquhart Bluff, including safety guidance, local conditions, access considerations, and relevant rules and resources.
It is intended as an educational and informational resource for riders and the general public.
Below you will find information, images, and key details to help you understand the Urquhart Bluff designated personal watercraft (PWC) zone.
Guide to Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules for Victorian Waters December 2025 Version 45 click link to view
👉VOZR - Safe Transport Victoria Document
History of the Urquhart Bluff PWC Zone
The Urquhart Bluff designated Jet Ski (PWC) zone is understood to have been formally established in the early 1990s as part of broader efforts to manage recreational water use along the Surf Coast.
At the time, the development and designation of the zone was supported through collaboration between local authorities and representatives of the personal watercraft community.
John Youings, then President of the Victorian Jet Sport Boating Association (VJSBA) and a Surf Coast resident, was involved in advocacy for structured PWC access in the region. Working alongside local councils, he contributed to discussions that led to the allocation of Urquhart Bluff as a designated riding area.
Since its establishment, the zone has remained in use as a recognised PWC riding location, forming part of Victoria’s broader network of managed recreational water areas.
Safe Space for Personal Watercraft (PWC) Usage
Urquharts Bluff – Point Roadknight
Victorian Waters
This area operates under specific zoning and vessel operating rules as outlined in the:
Guide to Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules for Victorian Waters – December 2025 (Version 45)
👉 VOZR – Safe Transport Victoria Document
Waterway Manager:
Director, Transport Safety
Legal Authority:
Gazette No. S221 (28 June 2012)
Made under the Marine Act 1988, Section 15
📍 Key Operating Rules
1️⃣ Excluded Speed Limit (Clause 15.1)
The waterway between Urquharts Bluff and Point Roadknight is excluded from the general speed limit clause (Clause 4a).
This means the standard statewide speed limit does not automatically apply within this designated section, subject to the zoning conditions outlined below.
2️⃣ 5-Knot Speed Zone (Clause 15.2)
A 5-knot speed limit applies:
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Within 200 metres of the low-water mark
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In areas between the:
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‘Vessels Only’ zone
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‘Vessels Prohibited’ zone
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‘Personal Watercraft’ zone
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Operators must reduce speed accordingly when entering these proximity zones.
3️⃣ Vessels Prohibited Area (Clause 15.3)
A designated section is closed to all vessels:
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Located between two sets of beacons
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Positioned approximately:
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50m northeast of the ‘Vessels Only’ zone
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250m northeast of the ‘Vessels Only’ zone
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Extending 200 metres seaward
No vessels may enter this area under any circumstances.
4️⃣ Exclusive Use / Special Purpose Areas (Clause 15.4)
(a) Vessels Only Zone
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Located directly in front of the public convenience building at Urquharts Bluff
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80 metres wide
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Extends 200 metres seaward
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Reserved for general vessel access (not exclusive to PWC)
(b) Personal Watercraft (PWC) Zone
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Located 300m to 600m northeast of the Vessels Only zone
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Operates from:
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1 hour before sunrise
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Until 1 hour after sunset
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Exclusive for Personal Watercraft
This designated zone provides a recognised operational area for PWC activity within the broader waterway management framework.
5️⃣ No Engine-Powered Vessels (Clause 15.5)
The area:
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West of the ‘Vessels Only’ zone
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Extending 200 metres seaward
Is prohibited to vessels with engines used for propulsion.
This restriction protects non-motorised water users and ensures spatial separation from powered activity.
⚖ Legal Status
These zoning and operational rules are legally enforceable under:
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Marine Act 1988 – Section 15
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Government Gazette No. S221 – 28 June 2012
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Administered by the Director, Transport Safety
