Trail Fast Facts

The Coastal Walk is a 30km, grade 4 hike in Mornington Peninsula National Park, Victoria. This hike typically takes 9 hours to complete.

Length: 30km

Duration: 1-2 days

Grade 4 (Hard)

Style: One Way

Start: Cape Schanck Lighthouse

End: London Bridge

Location: Mornington Peninsula National Park

State: Victoria

Nearby town: Cape Schanck

From state capital: 104km

Latitude: -38.49174206298808

Longitude: 144.88821300005074

Overview

Map and GPX file

Directions

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Hike Overview

The Mornington Peninsula Coastal walk along the southern side of the Mornington Peninsula offers spectacular scenery stretching 30kms between Cape Schanck and the Point Nepean National Park. The Coastal Walk encompasses many smaller sections of Ocean Beach walking trails, some along gravel tracks and parts along the sandy beaches. It changes from rugged rocky ocean coast at Cape Schanck to dense coastal vegetation along the way and finally to the famous sandy surf beaches through Rye and Sorrento. This challenging walk can be completed in sections or as a multi-day adventure.

Although this walk can be done in either direction, more spectacular views are provided when walking west from Cape Schanck to Point Nepean as you get views along the length of the Bass Strait coast. The Coastal Walk is divided into several sections, each offering a unique experience. Here's a brief overview of each leg:

1. Cape Schanck to Gunnamatta Beach:
Hike through dense vegetation and enjoy panoramic views from three lookouts. This section includes gravel tracks, sealed road, and sandy beach walking. Remember, return on the high track as beach access can be difficult at high tide. Swimming is dangerous unless lifeguards are present.

2. Gunnamatta Beach to Rye Ocean Beach:
Traverse sandy beaches with stunning coastal vistas. You'll pass Boag Rocks and follow shared walking/horse trails. Access points to St Andrews Beach, Moana Court, and Ocean Drive are available. There are toilets and drinking water available at the Rye Ocean Beach car park.

3. Rye Ocean Beach to Number 16 Beach:
Walk along sandy beaches with clifftop sections offering dramatic coastline views. Follow red-capped posts to navigate detours around headlands. Toilets are available at the Number 16 car park.

4. Number 16 Beach to Bridgewater Bay:
Take the historic Lifesaving Track, built in the 1890s for shipwreck rescues. Enjoy scenic walks through sand dunes and past picturesque beaches like Dimmicks Beach. Admire spectacular cliff tops and access Bridgewater Bay rock pools (via a steep staircase). Toilets and a car park are available at Bridgewater Bay.

5. Bridgewater Bay to Diamond Bay:
Continue on the Lifesaving Track with detours to Spray Point and Koonya Beach. Take in panoramic views from scenic lookouts like Jubilee Point. Toilets and a car park can be found at Koonya Beach.

6. Diamond Bay to Sorrento Ocean Beach:
Explore the historic Coppins Track, a guided walk showcasing the area's past. Follow limestone-paved sections and enjoy lookouts with breathtaking coastal scenery. Access St Pauls Lookout (historic observation site) and Sorrento Back Beach with cafes and amenities. Here you'll find toilets, drinking water, cafes, and a Surf Lifesaving Club.

7. Sorrento Ocean Beach to Portsea Ocean Beach:
Enjoy clifftop views and a detour to Websters Lookout showcasing Sorrento township. Descend to Portsea Surf Beach with toilets, drinking water, and a Surf Lifesaving Club.

8. Farnsworth Track (Portsea to London Bridge):
Choose a scenic clifftop walk or beach walk (best attempted at low tide). Explore rock pools at London Bridge (visible at low tide) and enjoy the lookout. Toilets, drinking water, and a car park are available at London Bridge.

9. London Bridge to Point Nepean National Park:
Walk through Moonah woodlands and connect with Point Nepean National Park. This section offers access to the Quarantine Station and historic forts.

If you still have energy to burn, you could tie this into the 100km Mornington Peninsula Walk that includes walks around Point Nepean, The Bay Trail and the Two Bays Walking Track.

Before you embark on your adventure, consider these key points:

Distance: The entire Coastal Walk stretches for 30 kilometers (one way).
Difficulty: The terrain can be moderate to challenging, with uneven surfaces and some steep sections.
Start/End Points: The official trail begins at Cape Schanck on the western end and concludes at Point Nepean National Park on the eastern side.
Important Considerations: Sturdy footwear is essential. Bring plenty of water and sun protection, and be aware of tidal conditions, especially when walking along beaches. Swimming is dangerous unless lifeguards are present.

Track Grade

Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Tips

Dogs are not permitted within Mornington Peninsula National Park, including beaches, carparks, and Greens Bush.
As beaches and coasts are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to ensure a safe and enjoyable day out.
Gravel tracks and sealed road plus sand walking along the beach.
Remember to return on the high track as through access along the beach is difficult at high tide.
Swimming is dangerous unless lifesavers are present.
Please take your rubbish out with you.

Map and GPX file

The Coastal Walk (30km)

Total distance: 30679 m
Max elevation: 119 m
Min elevation: 1 m
Total climbing: 484 m
Total descent: -516 m

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Trailhead

Getting there

The Coastal Walk (30km)

The Mornington Peninsula National Park is 90 kilometres south east of Melbourne. The eastern part of the park, including Cape Schanck, can be reached from Boneo (Rosebud-Flinders) Road.

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Drinking Water
Camping Area

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If you’ve got some great shots from this hike, I’d love to see them! Please upload your .jpg files here to help inspire other hikers and show off the beauty of the trail.

A quick note: Uploading your photos doesn’t mean you lose ownership. You’ll be credited for any photos you share, and you can request to have them removed at any time.

About the region

Mornington Peninsula National Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Bunurong People. Embracing the wild ocean beaches between Portsea and Flinders, and the kangaroo haven of Greens Bush, the 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.

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. Or, tackle the waves of Gunnamatta, Flinders, Portsea and Rye ocean beaches.

A haven for native wildlife like kangaroos, Greens Bush is the largest remaining fragment of native bushland on the Mornington Peninsula.

Suggest an edit

Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.

Similar trails nearby

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

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Adventure with Confidence: Register Your Trip Plans

Before you hit the trail, take a moment to fill out our trip intentions form. It’s a simple way to share important details about your hike with family or friends. If things don’t go as planned and you’re not back on time, they can easily notify emergency services, helping to ensure a quick response and reducing worry. Enjoy your outdoor adventure knowing that you’ve taken a smart step for your safety.

Reviews

The Coastal Walk (30km)

3 Reviews on “The Coastal Walk (30km)”

Overall rating

Louise M Gamon

Sarah Gamon

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Chris Walker

Tracy Lloyd-Walker ???
This looks good

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Leesa Swanson

Suzie Sharp Fiona MacLennan 1st leg says to find your way through dense coastal vegetation….we’ve got that nailed!! So should we book this one in??

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Leesa Swanson

Suzie Sharp Joelene Gordon-Cooke this is a nice long one. Maybe after my hip’s sorted?

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Tara Holmes

Ross Kerr

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Deb Kahn

Vanessa Brown is this the one we were talking about today?

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Stacey Tonkin

Megan Donohue LizandDave Friswell, not long now!!

24/03/2022, 05:19

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1. Anita Romleigh
  
  Merryn Kovacs how do we get back ?
  
  11/09/2019, 21:42
  
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2. Anita Romleigh
  
  Merryn Kovacs can do sections by the look of it. Looks good
  
  11/09/2019, 21:45
  
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3. Micksha Dee
  
  Mou Ngatokoa lets do the other half then
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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  1. Bree Bonaccorso
    
    Oliver Bonaccorso 🙂
    
    11/08/2019, 07:47
    
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  2. Kyle Hura
    
    Peter Fisher Let’s go
    
    11/08/2019, 10:35
    
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  3. Micksha Dee
    
    Mou Ngatokoa wanna do this as our last big hike before Oxfam . What do U think ?
    
    24/03/2022, 05:19
    
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  4. Elisa Di Placido
    
    Next time! My way!!
    
    24/03/2022, 05:19
    
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  5. Tam Edwards
    
    Pauline agreed ??
    
    24/03/2022, 05:19
    
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  6. Tam Edwards
    
    Pauline Farrow
    
    24/03/2022, 05:19
    
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  7. Dianne O'Brien
    
    Raechel Gardiner
    
    24/03/2022, 05:19
    
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    1. Gemma Green
      
      Rob at least if we run out of dry land we know we’ve gone too far!
      
      24/03/2022, 05:19
      
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4. Gemma Green
  
  Rob Muirhead distance isn’t a problem…
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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Kevin Truong

Laura Healy got a spare 8hrs? ?

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Jackie Crane

Jodie Alexander

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Jeeves Jayatilleke

Lawrence Mitchell?? ?

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Kim Alcock

Catherine Reid
Elaine Firmin

24/03/2022, 05:19

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1. Sam Stephenson
  
  Derena Carroll
  
  11/08/2019, 10:15
  
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2. Jane Solly
  
  Catriona McGregor we should do this one weekend!
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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  1. Nimesh Demel
    
    Coastal walk would be great .
    
    24/03/2022, 05:19
    
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3. Dawn Pryor
  
  Elisa Di Placido Lynda Lowe
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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  1. Fool Joshua
    
    Fool Joshua
    
    24/03/2022, 05:19
    
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    1. Andrew Learey
      
      Gemma Bird,Ryan Starkeyry training day?
      
      11/10/2019, 09:25
      
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    2. Andrew Learey
      
      Gemma Bird excellent. Ryan was very excited this afternoon to get out too!
      
      11/10/2019, 16:27
      
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    3. Rob Muirhead
      
      Gemma I feel attacked. The 8hr recommendation makes me question everything.
      
      24/03/2022, 05:19
      
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      1. Tori Warden
        
        Gen we are totally doing this over summer
        
        11/08/2019, 19:46
        
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      2. Micksha Dee
        
        Getha Somasundaram what do u think ?
        
        24/03/2022, 05:19
        
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  2. Dinushi Mendis
    
    Gayan Piyasena Nimesh Demel another one to the list
    
    24/03/2022, 05:19
    
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4. Lukas Waver
  
  How long to complete with COVID-19?
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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5. Gayan Piyasena
  
  I’m in
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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6. Leona Xu
  
  It’s well and truly beyond 30km. Did the walk in Jan
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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Lynda Murray

Alan Dow

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Kristy Hope Arvaj

Aaron Cardy Sunday?? ???? Pleaseeeeeee

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Eric Grattan

Bianca Bennett

24/03/2022, 05:19

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LizandDave Friswell

Are we going to sorrento or all the way to point Nepean?

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Michael Lean

Just removed the “Dog Friendly” option from the features

This walk is NOT dog friendly – in fact it’s through National Parks that ban dogs at all times, on lead, off lead, no matter what!

Signs everywhere

03/02/2020, 12:08

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Leisa Quinn

Annette Fogarty

11/11/2019, 17:53

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Jennifer Bateman

Casey McIndoe nice lead up to the 40?

11/11/2019, 12:11

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Lexi Alex

Jackie what about this one as an option for the 30th?

11/10/2019, 13:19

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Ang Ela

Joshua Chris ?

11/10/2019, 05:13

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Merryn Kovacs

Anita Romleigh

11/09/2019, 21:39

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Merryn Kovacs

Jane Kirsner

11/09/2019, 21:38

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Linda Gleave

Lets do this Karen Thomas

11/09/2019, 12:35

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Adriana Vargas

when is this hiking?

11/08/2019, 14:31

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Stephanie Brosnan

Brad Atkinson day trip

11/08/2019, 11:25

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Brendan Giuliani

Ben Farbulous

11/08/2019, 11:11

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Peter Fisher

Kyle Hura

11/08/2019, 10:05

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Sarah Jane

Carli Scott next one? ?

11/08/2019, 08:55

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Brie Jenkins

Jess Pie eeeeee! ?

11/08/2019, 08:09

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Teigan Pearson

Mat Ross let’s look into this one

11/08/2019, 07:37

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Leanne Nicholson-Cosgrave

Simon Cosgrave

11/08/2019, 06:53

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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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While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.