Sorrento Back Beach (Mornington Peninsula National Park)

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Sorrento Back Beach (Mornington Peninsula National Park)

Sorrento Back Beach is located around 1.5km south of the town of Sorrento. The ocean beach is a popular location for activities such as surfing swimming walking and exploring the rockpools at low tide or have a BBQ picnic in the secluded bushland setting behind the beach.

The spectacular amphitheater like setting of Sorrento Back Beach is the perfect summer escape. Explore sheltered rock formations reefs and rockpools some of which are large enough to swim in. Set out on a short walk across rocky headlands and through coastal heath and be amazed by the huge ocean vistas from Cape Schanck to Cape Otway and out across Bass Strait.

A short 0.5km circuit track from the lifesaving club up to the historic lookout rotunda provides excellent views along the Southern Peninsula Coast. Add a 1.2km loop to Sphinx Rock or venture a further 2km east along Coppins Track to spectacular Jubilee Point and beautiful Diamond Bay nearby.

Sorrento Back Beach is a dangerous swimming beach with unpredictable rips currents and large waves please only swim between the flags and stay within your limits. Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club patrols this beach every day over the summer and Easter holiday periods as well as each weekend in between.

How to get there

Sorrento Back Beach (Mornington Peninsula National Park)

Need to know

Sorrento Back Beach (Mornington Peninsula National Park)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

No dogs allowed
No horses
No fires permitted
Speed restrictions apply
Boating zones apply
No camping
No firearms allowed
No generators

Warnings

Water hazards
Rough Surf

Strong currents

Submerged obstacles

Shallow water

Deep water
Terrain hazards
Slippery surface

Unstable cliffs

Slippery rocks
Animals and pests
Stingers

Snakes

Sharks

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

Fox Control Underway

Parks Victoria are undertaking fox control in Mornington Peninsula National Park from Portsea Ocean Beach to Greens Bush to relieve predation of vulnerable and threatened native fauna.

Programs involve the use of cage and soft jaw leg hold traps, Canid Pest Ejectors with para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) poison and buried PAPP poison, to bait foxes in strategic locations. Short track sections may be closed to isolate works (secondary tracks only).

Fox trapping and baiting will occur until June 2025.

Dogs are prohibited from entering Mornington Peninsula National Park. If pets are suspected of having consumed a PAPP bait during the baiting period, a vet should be consulted immediately. An antidote to PAPP (methylene blue) is available and stocked by most vets on the Mornington Peninsula.

Landslip affecting beach west of Mushroom Reef, Flinders Ocean Beach

There is a landslip affecting the beach west of Mushroom Reef, Flinders Ocean Beach (within Mornington Peninsula NP). Please do not approach the slip.

London Bridge Toilet Closure

The London Bridge toilet facility is temporarily out of service. The nearest public toilets are located at Portsea Ocean Beach area or Portsea Pier.

Mushroom Reef Toilet Closure Flinders Ocean Beach

The toilet at Flinders Ocean Beach, Mushroom Reef is permanently closed. The nearest alternative public toilets are Flinders town centre public toilets.

Gunnamatta Ocean Beach Main Carpark stairs access closed

This Summer, alternative beach access is available via the first carpark or the Gunnamatta Lifesaving Club rescue vehicle track which is located further east.

Due to significant storm damage, access to Gunnamatta Beach from the Main Carpark is closed for safety reasons. Recent storm and swell has caused severe erosion, undermined the footings of the stairs and created a hazardous two metre plus drop. We’re currently working through solutions but need to wait for the conditions to stabilise before action can be taken.

In the meantime, for your safety, please avoid the closure area and adhere to all posted signage.

Severe weather and storm damage has impacted many parks across Victoria with an unprecedented level of damage incurred over the past 12 months. Parks Victoria rangers and contractors are working hard to address this closure along with many others across the region. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to address the damage.