Geelong flashback: Henry the seal felt right at home in Geelong and on Bellarine Peninsula

Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula have had plenty of Antarctic visitors over the years, but none more memorable than Henry the elephant seal.

Henry the seal at Point Lonsdale in 2005. Picture: Colin Stuckey

Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula have had plenty of Antarctic visitors over the years, but none more memorable than Henry the elephant seal.

In the early to mid noughties Henry became a local celebrity and media sensation.

Named after Point Henry where he first came to the public’s attention, the 1.5 tonne animal would make himself at home at local beaches during his annual moult.

His size and presence made him a popular tourist attraction — one that wasn’t afraid to indulge in a bit of mischief.

Henry the seal at Point Lonsdale.

Henry left his mark in the form of giant dints on a few cars during his visits to Bellarine coastal towns, and reportedly even squashed a motorbike — thankfully without the rider on board.

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In October 2005 he made national headlines when he became a traffic hazard at Point Lonsdale after going for a waddle near a busy road. Wildlife officers had to call in the heavy machinery in an attempt to coax Henry back to the safety of the beach. The stubborn tourist eventually took the hint and cooperated, but he never lost his adventurous streak.

Henry the seal sunbaking at Geelong Yacht Club.

One of his favourite haunts during his annual pilgrimage to the region was the Geelong foreshore. There he would happily kill time snoozing or sunbaking. Sometimes he would put on a show and flaunt his massive frame for the crowds of onlookers who inevitably gathered. On other occasions he was known to go for a wander along Moorabool Street to check out what was going on in the city.

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Henry the seal goes for a wander.

Henry definitely felt at home in Geelong and on the Bellarine Peninsula, so much so he had to be monitored constantly by wildlife officers to make sure he and the public were kept safe from each other.

But what happened to our beloved visitor isn’t known. There were fears he might have fallen prey to a shark or killer whale when he failed to show up for his annual moult in 2006.

There were reports, however, of an elephant seal fitting his description passing near Warrnambool that same year.

Perhaps after so many years in the spotlight in Geelong, an older Henry grew tired of celebrity life and found a quiet and deserted beach somewhere to spend the rest of his summers.

Originally published as Geelong flashback: Henry the seal felt right at home in Geelong and on Bellarine Peninsula