Mornington Peninsula National Park
Mornington Peninsula National Park
Mornington Peninsula National Park
4.5
About
Mornington Peninsula National Park is a favourite of Melburnians looking to escape the nearby city. Experienced surfers flock to Gunamatta Beach, while rockpools at Sorrento Ocean Beach, close to town, are perfect for families. Dip into the excellent surf beaches of the Mornington Peninsula National Park. Tackle the waves of Gunnamatta, Flinders, Portsea and Rye ocean beaches. Step out on The Coastal Walk for spectacular coastal views. The two-day walk meanders along high clifftops, through coastal vegetation and past stunning ocean beaches. A haven for native wildlife such as kangaroos, Greens Bush is the largest fragment of native bushland remaining on the Mornington Peninsula.
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4.5
76 reviews
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25
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2
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1
Traveller
Melbourne, Australia17,552 contributions
May 2021
My wife and I stayed at the RACV Resort in Cape Schanck for two nights and visited the Mornington Peninsula National Park for hiking for two consecutive days.
This is one of the best parts of Victoria due to its natural beauty with plenty of hiking trails and scenic views.
The Park is very well maintained and there are plenty of car parking bays during the off peak tourist season midweek.
This is one of the best parts of Victoria due to its natural beauty with plenty of hiking trails and scenic views.
The Park is very well maintained and there are plenty of car parking bays during the off peak tourist season midweek.
Written 16 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EndlessTravels
Greater Melbourne, Australia38,542 contributions
Sept 2017
A great spot at the southern tip of the mornington peninsula area. From the beaches of Sorrento/Portsea to the pretty cape schanck area with its lighthouse it has a bit of everything. add in wildlife areas such as Greens Bush with its abundant wallabies and kangaroos or the beaches of fingal/gunnamatta or flinders, you will find reasons to return time and time again.
So many spots to visit that you will want to return more than once
So many spots to visit that you will want to return more than once
Written 16 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience of Mornington Peninsula National Park. We're so glad you found many different things to see, and hope that you'll return soon to explore further!
Thanks again,
Parks Victoria
Written 20 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
C...
Gippsland, Australia95,043 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
What a wonderful place to spend time in...so much to see and explore. Cape Schanck offers striking landscapes, the enigma of climatic volcanic features, unspoilt and wild beaches and scenic walking tracks with spectacular ocean views.
I most certainly did not spend enough time there recently... I was captivated by the natural beauty of the place and anticipate that soon I will be looking for an excuse to return.
This part of Victoria is achingly beautiful and well worth visiting. Roads in and out are good.
I most certainly did not spend enough time there recently... I was captivated by the natural beauty of the place and anticipate that soon I will be looking for an excuse to return.
This part of Victoria is achingly beautiful and well worth visiting. Roads in and out are good.
Written 10 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
H.F. Callaghan
Cabramurra, Australia347 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
So much to look at. Walk along the east coast path under shade the to the very end of the cape. On way back took the road. Take plenty of fly spay though. Stopped at the various points of interest.
Written 6 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bglowe
Bedford, Canada39 contributions
Nov 2012 • Family
My Husband and I just got back from visiting our daughter for two weeks in Melbourne Australia. While we had many positive experiences- touring with Bunyip to Mornington Peninsula was not one of them. When we booked face to face with the agent- the travel book showed the trip at 149.00 per person- it included a trip through Point Nepean Park - morning tea- lunch- and you could pick from several other options ie: hot springs, strawberry/wine tour or swimming with the dolphins. My daughter has always wanted to swim with dolphins so we picked that one. They picked us up at 7:10 am at our hotel and then we drove to their offices and sat for 40 minutes while they gathered supplies( coffee,tea cookies) for the morning tea as well as customers who hadn't yet paid for the trip. Our first stop was to drop off the people who decided on the hot springs- they would be picked up later to join the group doing the wine tour etc. Next we went on a ride through Point Nepean. We stopped at a beach area for the promised tea- but then discovered that the driver had brought the thermos' - but forgot to put hot water in them- So we had to buy our Tea and coffee at a local restaurant. We moved on to Fort Nepean- sat through a 7-8 minute video and then had to wait around for a ranger to escort us to the Fort area- it seemed as though no one knew to expect us. Most of the area was closed so we were not able to go into see anything they had descibed to us. As lunch time drew near- we were all getting rather hungry- the bus driver informed those who were going to the Dolphin swim- we would be dropped off next( i asked about lunch- but was told in an off hand manner- that we would probably be looked after on the boat). when we arrived at the dock -we were dropped off in the parking lot and told to walk to the end of the dock and we would be greeted there- it was 12 noon.
After standing around for 15 minutes- we asked if we were in the right place and were told someone would eventually be by - but they wouldnt likely be boarding until around 1o'clock. When the group finally all came together- we were asked for a voucher- (we weren't given one).
After boarding the boat we were advised that food was available to purchase- when we explained that our lunch was already paid for- we were told they didn't know what we were talking about- So of course we bought our lunches. We then proceed out into the bay- where we were invited to swim with the seals. When everyone dressed in wetsuits started hopping into the water with the seals- all I could think of was Shark Bait! The boat trip was relaxing- but the advertised dolphins never did make an appearance. When we returned to the city we decided to go back and see the agent who booked us( she did originally tell us to bring back feedback) My daughter and I went in and were immediately told the office was closed ( the door wasn't locked).
The same dark haired lady was there that bookd us and we told her there was some confusion with our trip- her expression changed to a sour look and curt tone. She quickly told us that the dolphins didn't include lunch( we pointed out all the areas on the brochure that highlighted lunch and tea- and were surprised that no one told us to pack our own food- she then told us that there was only a 94% chance of seeing the Dolphins and low and behold- there was microscopic fine print saying that. We weren't nasty at all with her- we simply tried to explain that the booking and the brochure were very mis-leading- but she was having none of it- she didn't even try to apologize for the "mis-understanding" . all in all- the value was not there for the amount of money we paid....buyer beware!
After standing around for 15 minutes- we asked if we were in the right place and were told someone would eventually be by - but they wouldnt likely be boarding until around 1o'clock. When the group finally all came together- we were asked for a voucher- (we weren't given one).
After boarding the boat we were advised that food was available to purchase- when we explained that our lunch was already paid for- we were told they didn't know what we were talking about- So of course we bought our lunches. We then proceed out into the bay- where we were invited to swim with the seals. When everyone dressed in wetsuits started hopping into the water with the seals- all I could think of was Shark Bait! The boat trip was relaxing- but the advertised dolphins never did make an appearance. When we returned to the city we decided to go back and see the agent who booked us( she did originally tell us to bring back feedback) My daughter and I went in and were immediately told the office was closed ( the door wasn't locked).
The same dark haired lady was there that bookd us and we told her there was some confusion with our trip- her expression changed to a sour look and curt tone. She quickly told us that the dolphins didn't include lunch( we pointed out all the areas on the brochure that highlighted lunch and tea- and were surprised that no one told us to pack our own food- she then told us that there was only a 94% chance of seeing the Dolphins and low and behold- there was microscopic fine print saying that. We weren't nasty at all with her- we simply tried to explain that the booking and the brochure were very mis-leading- but she was having none of it- she didn't even try to apologize for the "mis-understanding" . all in all- the value was not there for the amount of money we paid....buyer beware!
Written 23 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arnold S
49 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
If it's going to be a sunny day and you are up for a nice walk which is not too difficult then you need to try this one, perfect for all ages, we took our young kids with the promise of a nice swim in the rock pools after the walk, very nice spot, not too crowded, take enough water and some light lunch and you can stay therer the whole day, we foud it hard to get the kids out of the water, everyone loved it !
Written 16 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carmanmiranda
6 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
What a wonderful place to visit ... bush walks .. fishing at the lake .. bbqs .. picnics.. wildlife.. room for the kids to run free.. play cricket in open spaces .. We loved the feeling of the serenity and peaceful feeling at Devilbend ....
Written 10 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dani313
Melbourne64 contributions
Jan 2012
Point Nepean NP is located at the very tip of Mornington Peninsula. The park has rich history playing important role in the early settlement of Victoria. It offers amazing costal views of Port Phillip bay, The Rip and Bass Strait. There is no entry fee to this park as of 1st July 2010.
There are numerous easy walks in the park. If you have only half of the day to spend here you can park your car at Gunners cottage. You cannot take your car beyond this point. From here it is 3.5 km to Fort Nepean at the tip of Mornington Peninsula. If you don't want to walk both ways, you can take a Transporter (hop on hop off tractor train with four or five stops on the way). The tickets for the transporter have to be pre-purchased at Visitors centre (adult $10, family $26.50 or one way adult $6.50 and family $16.50 as of Jan 12). In the morning it is better to walk to Fort Nepean and take the transporter back and in the afternoon to do it the other way around . This way you will have sun behind you and will be able to enjoy more the scenery. From Gunners cottage walk to Observatory Point (picnic area) and to the beach. Take the walk along the beach. At the end join the Coles track and continue in the direction of Fort Nepean. Just shortly before Fort Pearce the track joins Defence road. From here it is about 800 metres to Fort Nepean. Here you can explore tunnels, forts and gun emplacement. Enjoy the view across the Rip towards Lighthouse at Point Lonsdale. On the way back you can stop at Cheviot Hill, the highest point of this park. From here you can see Cheviot beach where former Australian Prime minister Harold Holt disappeared in summer 1967.
You can also hire a bike.
There are numerous easy walks in the park. If you have only half of the day to spend here you can park your car at Gunners cottage. You cannot take your car beyond this point. From here it is 3.5 km to Fort Nepean at the tip of Mornington Peninsula. If you don't want to walk both ways, you can take a Transporter (hop on hop off tractor train with four or five stops on the way). The tickets for the transporter have to be pre-purchased at Visitors centre (adult $10, family $26.50 or one way adult $6.50 and family $16.50 as of Jan 12). In the morning it is better to walk to Fort Nepean and take the transporter back and in the afternoon to do it the other way around . This way you will have sun behind you and will be able to enjoy more the scenery. From Gunners cottage walk to Observatory Point (picnic area) and to the beach. Take the walk along the beach. At the end join the Coles track and continue in the direction of Fort Nepean. Just shortly before Fort Pearce the track joins Defence road. From here it is about 800 metres to Fort Nepean. Here you can explore tunnels, forts and gun emplacement. Enjoy the view across the Rip towards Lighthouse at Point Lonsdale. On the way back you can stop at Cheviot Hill, the highest point of this park. From here you can see Cheviot beach where former Australian Prime minister Harold Holt disappeared in summer 1967.
You can also hire a bike.
Written 22 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Une_Bella
Sydney, Australia616 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
The park has multiple hikes. Most of them are easy. It’s a pristine park with some breathtaking views. Highly recommended!
Written 13 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David H
12 contributions
Day trip to sorento mornington peninsula stunning views fantastic beaches lovely food. Beach side pub friendly staff, variety of stunning food on offer .
Written 24 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the park pram friendly and have any dedicated walking tracks suitable to take a pram?
Written 7 January 2021
Hi
Can I find out if I am making a day trip from Philip Island to Mornington Peninsula, which attractions worth visiting before my drive back to Melbourne CBD in the evening. I am coming back on 1 dec.
Thanks.
Written 28 April 2016
Hi
I cannot see anywhere if there is a fee to visit the park. Can you please advise me.
Thanks Debbie
Written 22 March 2015
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