Explore
Mornington Peninsula National Park
Embracing the wild ocean beaches between Portsea and Flinders, and the kangaroo haven of Greens Bush, 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.
Dogs are not permitted in Mornington Peninsula National Park. This includes beaches, carparks and Greens Bush.
As beaches and coasts are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Mornington Peninsula National Park is a safe and enjoyable one.
Top places
Two Bays Walking Trail
The Two Bays Walking Trail is a 26km hike from Dromana to Cape Schanck showcasing the landscapes of the Mornington Peninsula, Arthurs Seat State Park and Mornington Peninsula National Park.
Tours and adventure experiences in parks
One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.
There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.
Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more.
Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.
How to get there
Mornington Peninsula National Park
The southern tip of the park is better accessed from Nepean Hwy/ Point Nepean Road.
When you're there
The ocean beaches of Mornington Peninsula National Park are exposed to the rough conditions of Bass Strait. These beaches can have dangerous undertows, rips and unexpected large swells. Swim at patrolled beaches and between the flags. Keep to marked trails as the cliffs are unstable.
Download the Mornington Peninsula National Park visitor guide for more information and a detailed map.
Download the Greens Bush visitor guide for more information and a detailed map.
Need to know
Mornington Peninsula National Park
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.
To make it easier for people with limited mobility to see the all abilities access and experiences on offer at Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve in Mornington Peninsula National Park, Parks Victoria has released this video - produced and narrated by accessibility advocate Ryan Smith, who uses a wheelchair.
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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.
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.
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Gunnamatta Beach (Mornington Peninsula National Park)
Partial closure of Gunnamatta Beach carpark
The Gunnamatta Beach carparks will be partially closed from 7 - 31 March, to allow for road resurfacing and line marking works. The Surf Life Saving patrolled area can still be accessed by walking 300m from the first carpark. Surf Life Savers are on duty where red / yellow flags are displayed on the beach. -
Mornington Peninsula National Park
Beach access closed at Number 16 Beach
The access platform at Number 16 Beach has been closed for public safety until further notice. Assessments have revealed significant structural failures meaning it poses a significant hazard to visitors.Lifejackets Required For Rock Fishers from March 1, 2022
A two-year trial of new laws that require rock fishers to wear a lifejacket at high-risk locations will commence on 1 March 2022.For Mornington Peninsula National Park, this includes the following locations:- Sorrento Back Beach rocks
- No. 16 beach at Rye back beach
- Bushrangers Bay rocks, east of Cape Schanck
This factsheet includes maps of the affected areas.Fines apply if you don’t wear a lifejacket at these sites.To find out more, visit Victorian Fisheries AuthorityCoastal Pest Predator Control Program - Mornington Peninsula National Park
Between 31/10/22 - 05/03/23 Parks Victoria will be conducting a pest predator control program in coastal sections of Mornington Peninsula National Park. An objective of the program is to reduce fox numbers to relieve predation of native wildlife, particularly vulnerable and threatened species, such as the hooded plover and white-footed dunnart, in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988) and associated Action Statements.
The program will involve the use of para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) and canid pest ejectors to bait foxes in strategic dune locations. The risk of PAPP to native fauna is very low.
Dogs are prohibited from 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.Southern Peninsula Cat Trapping Program
Parks Victoria and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation are collaborating to reduce cat predation of threatened and vulnerable fauna in Mornington Peninsula National Park. Cats trapped as part of this program will be surrendered to a local vet for appropriate processing. Trapping will take place from Tuesday 21 March to Friday 31 March. -
Flinders Ocean Beach (Mornington Peninsula National Park, Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary)
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.
How we keep it special
The Management Plan for Mornington Peninsula National Park and Arthurs Seat State Park directs all aspects of management in the parks until the plan is reviewed. The plan was amended in September 2014 to allow for mountain bike riding in Arthurs Seat State Park and further amended in October 2016 to prohibit dog walking in Mornington Peninsula National Park.
Publications
