Trail Fast Facts

Mornington Peninsula Walk is a 97.5km, grade 3 hike in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. This hike typically takes 8-10 days to complete.

Length: 97.5km

Duration: 8-10 days

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Style: Circuit

Start: Dromana

End: Dromana

Location: Mornington Peninsula

State: Victoria

Nearby town: Dromana

From state capital: 88km

Latitude: -38.34131847

Longitude: 144.9457452

Overview

Map and GPX file

Directions

Photos

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Reviews

Hike Overview

Long known as a destination with beautiful beach walks and spectacular clifftop strolls, the Mornington Peninsula boasts one of Victoria's top walks.

The Mornington Peninsula Walk takes a roughly triangular route, linking four established trails and traversing the most beautiful and spectacular parts of the peninsula. Along the way, the trail takes in the historic fort at Point Nepean and the foreshores of Portsea, Sorrento, Blairgowrie, Rye, Rosebud and Dromana before climbing over Arthurs Seat and descending through lovely stretches of forest and ferny glens to the dark and brooding cliffs of Cape Schanck and the Lighthouse. From the Lighthouse, the track weaves its way west through thick coastal tea-tree and drops onto yellow-sand beaches before a final stretch of alternating tight single track and cliff-top trail brings you from Rye to London Bridge.

The 100km Mornington Peninsula Walk combines four other walks: the 'Two Bays Walk' through the hinterland from Dromana to Cape Schanck, the 'Coastal Walk' through the Mornington Peninsula National Park along the Bass Strait coast from Cape Schanck to Portsea, the 'Point Nepean Walk' in and around the Point Nepean National Park, and the 'Bay Trail' from Portsea to Dromana along the shores of Port Phillip. You can complete the whole walk over several days, or enjoy it over several visits.

1. Two Bays Walking Track - 26km from Dromana on Port Phillip via Bushrangers Bay to Cape Schanck

There are lots of relatively easy walks, including the 5km Bushrangers Bay walk from clifftop Cape Schanck to Boneo Road. Greens Bush is a tranquil gem and a wildlife haven, with kangaroos and wallabies feeding in the early morning or at dusk, and birdlife including wrens, colourful parrots, kites and soaring eagles. There are a couple of rewarding circuit walks of 1.6km and 3.6km through beautiful forest from Baldry Crossing, and a 4km circuit walk from Long Point Road that takes in forest, grasslands and gullies. There's also an 8.9km walk which is part of the Two Bays Walking Track, with silent forests, huge stands of grasstrees that may be more than 200 years old, lush fern gullies and grasslands.

2. The Coastal Walk - 30km from Cape Schanck to Portsea Surf Beach

The Mornington Peninsula National Park adjoins Point Nepean National Park, with the Coastal Walk encompassing 26km of beach and cliff walks along Bass Strait from London Bridge right to Cape Schanck. Some of the sections are very suitable to do as short walks in their own right; including the 2km Farnsworth Track from London Bridge carpark to Portsea ocean beach, the 3km Fingal Beach walk to lookouts over Bass Strait, and the 4km Coppins Track walk from Sorrento ocean beach along the dramatic clifftop to Diamond Bay.

3. Point Nepean Walk - 13.5km from Wilsons Folly Track at London Bridge to the tip of Point Nepean

Walk right to the tip of the Mornington Peninsula in Point Nepean National Park, past the old Quarantine Station, World War Two military defences, along coastal and bush tracks. Wilson's Folly Track at London Bridge takes you into Point Nepean National Park and to the tip of famous Point Nepean. Visit the historic Quarantine Station, explore historic fortifications and gun emplacements, Moonah woodlands, enjoy views of Bass Strait and Port Phillip Bay at the Heads.

WILSONS FOLLY TRACK
1.7km track links London Bridge in the Mornington Peninsula National Park with Point Nepean National Park. The track is an extension of the Coastal Walk from Cape Schanck.

QUARANTINE STATION
1.5km from the Information Centre. Wander around the historic site which was established in 1852 to protect the colony of Melbourne from ship borne diseases. From the 1950s the buildings also housed the Army Officer Cadet School.

RANGE AREA WALK
The 1.8 kilometre walk meanders through coastal scrub, a former Rifle Range and passes Monash Break and Light with sweeping views of the park and Melbourne City. The Range Area was used to train cadets in the Army Officer Cadet School; training included firing rifles, grenades and machine guns. The walk links the Quarantine Station and Cheviot Hill.

WALTER PISTERMAN HERITAGE WALK
1km return starts at Gunners Cottage passing Point Nepean Cemetery to the remnants of the former quarantine cattle jetty where there is a picnic area and views of the bay. Stroll through coastal vegetation to Port Phillip Bay at Observatory Point with views of Port Phillip Heads.

CHEVIOT HILL AND HAROLD HOLT MEMORIAL
Cheviot Hill is the highest point of Point Nepean, with World War II fortifications. Walk the track up to the hilltop which overlooks Cheviot Beach, the site where former Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared in 1967. A memorial is located 500 metres from Cheviot Hill.

FORT PEARCE AND EAGLES NEST
Explore the lookouts from the fortifications with stunning views of Bass Strait, the Pearce Barracks site where army personnel lived and the location of Australia's largest Disappearing Gun.

FORT NEPEAN
5.2km from the Information Centre. Contains a series of military fortifications dating back to the 1880s with stunning views of Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait. Explore the tunnels, forts and gun emplacements from which the first allied shots of both World War I and World War II were fired.

4. The Bay Trail - 24km Portsea to Dromana

This takes you along the beaches and villages of Port Phillip Bay from Dromana right to Portsea, where you can join the Point Nepean National Park walk.

Track Grade

Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.

Map and GPX file

Mornington Peninsula Walk (97.5km)

Total distance: 97629 m
Max elevation: 278 m
Min elevation: 0 m
Total climbing: 2189 m
Total descent: -2188 m

Download

Download the Mornington Peninsula 100km Walk Fact Sheet Here

Reference: Mornington Peninsula Tourism

Copyright Tourism Victoria

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Getting there

Mornington Peninsula Walk (97.5km)

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About the region

Breathe in the fresh sea air, sample innovative local cuisine, and soak up the relaxed alfresco lifestyle of the Mornington Peninsula, just an hour from Melbourne. Explore the galleries, spas and cafes in breezy seaside villages, cool off with a day on the beach, or escape to the hinterland for gourmet delights at boutique wineries.

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Similar trails nearby

Looking for things to do in Mornington Peninsula or nearby? Try these similar hikes or bushwalks.

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Reviews

Mornington Peninsula Walk (97.5km)

3 Reviews on “Mornington Peninsula Walk (97.5km)”

Overall rating

Cheryle Hewlett

Samantha Lamers after Oxfam would should be able to smash this out in 2 days.

24/03/2022, 05:22

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1. Cheryle Hewlett
  
  Samantha Lamers me too
  
  24/03/2022, 05:22
  
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2. Nicholas Kocyan
  
  Sarra Mironov????
  
  24/03/2022, 05:22
  
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3. Louise Purcell
  
  Something for you Susan O’Connor-Meldrum?
  
  24/03/2022, 05:22
  
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4. Sarra Mironov
  
  Sure!
  
  24/03/2022, 05:22
  
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  1. Ann Cornish
    
    This looks fantastic. Any camping ideas (or did I miss these)?
    
    24/03/2022, 05:22
    
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    1. Susan O'Connor-Meldrum
      
      Thx Lou so many treks I want to do will check it out
      
      24/03/2022, 05:22
      
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      1. Nikki Smith
        
        Tim Alexander
        
        24/03/2022, 05:22
        
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      2. Benita Trevaskis
        
        Too many to choose from
        
        24/03/2022, 05:22
        
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5. Carmen Hollway
  
  Susan Love such a good idea but a couple of the stretches would be long with an overnight pack
  
  24/03/2022, 05:22
  
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Glenda Leisemann

HowardSusanne Leisemann

24/03/2022, 05:22

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1. Jessica McNamara
  
  I just read this!
  
  24/03/2022, 05:22
  
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  1. Xavier Eoghan Walker
    
    Kaari Paramesh one day in the far future we should do this walk ?
    
    08/12/2018, 13:43
    
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  2. Danielle Pepping
    
    Kirstyn Pepping sure I’m in
    
    24/03/2022, 05:22
    
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2. Bree Bonaccorso
  
  I meant run it over a weekend
  
  24/03/2022, 05:22
  
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  1. Eileen Newton
    
    Lena Bloom
    
    08/12/2018, 09:23
    
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  2. Lachlan Dyson
    
    Max Dyson Riley Dyson
    
    08/12/2018, 13:29
    
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  3. Bev Murray
    
    Looks good. 3 dayer maybe
    
    08/12/2018, 17:35
    
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  4. LS Gorms
    
    Maybe also good town options? I’ve not looked into it, but keen to know too.
    
    08/12/2018, 21:27
    
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  5. Daniel Newman
    
    M8 I love a fad
    
    24/03/2022, 05:22
    
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    1. Bridgeen Bourke
      
      One to put on the list!
      
      08/12/2018, 01:21
      
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    2. Tam Edwards
      
      Nik we should do this
      
      08/12/2018, 09:11
      
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    3. Tam Edwards
      
      Nik that’s what’s I’m thinking
      
      08/12/2018, 10:52
      
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    4. Monique Le Gall
      
      Next time your here 😉 x
      
      24/03/2022, 05:22
      
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    5. Carolyn Bennett
      
      Nice one Sheree McKenzie
      
      24/03/2022, 05:22
      
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    6. Sarah Brown
      
      Perfect …. went there in school holidays on a hot day. Took me bloody ages to drive anywhere! Never again, boots on 🙂
      
      24/03/2022, 05:22
      
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  6. Charlotte Date Le Gall
    
    Monique Le Gall
    
    24/03/2022, 05:22
    
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3. Gus Troup
  
  Josh McCarthy take Daniel Newmandaniel seaside?
  
  24/03/2022, 05:22
  
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  1. Dan Thomson
    
    Matt Thomson do u follow this page? Full of ideas
    
    08/12/2018, 18:39
    
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  2. Bree Bonaccorso
    
    Matthew Yee could be fun
    
    24/03/2022, 05:22
    
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Gear to consider

What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.

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