An 18-metre sperm whale washed ashore at Fairhaven Beach along the Great Ocean road on Tuesday morning.
The decaying animal has been attracting large numbers of sharks to the waters along the stretch of coast between Fairhaven Beach and Moggs Creek.
Life Saving Victoria has closed the beach and a dangerous animal warning was issued by VIC Emergency.
An 18-metre sperm whale washed ashore at Fairhaven Beach on Victoria's Great Ocean road on Tuesday morning (pictured)
'Due to a large whale carcass there has been an increase in shark activity reported at Fairhaven today,' the advice read.
'A whale carcass can attract sharks to the area and mean they are closer to the shore than normal.