Popular visitor areas include the historic Cape Schanck lighthouse precinct, the ocean beaches of Sorrento and Portsea, the rugged Flinders coastline and walking tracks through the wildlife haven Greens Bush.
Barbecue facilities are provided Fingal Picnic Area (near Cape Schanck) and Sorrento Ocean Beach. Kiosks operate at Sorrento and Cape Schanck and takeaway food is often available during summer holidays at Gunnamatta and Portsea.
Dogs are not permitted in Mornington Peninsula National Park. This includes beaches, carparks and Greens Bush.
Things to do in the area
Fingal Picnic Area
Enjoy a picnic in the peaceful Fingal Picnic Area located two kilometres north of Cape Schanck. This area was subdivided for housing but was re- purchased by the government from 1974 to 1977. Facilities at the site include electric barbecues, toilets, tables and a ball games area.
Walking tracks lead to nearby lookouts with spectacular views of basalt cliffs and Fingal Beach which is exposed at low tide. The return walk (3km) and access to the beach is via a steep staircase which may not be suitable for visitors with low mobility. A longer walk to the northern Gunnamatta Beach (5km) is also available from the Fingal Picnic Area.
Bushranger Bay Picnic Area
The beautiful Bushrangers Bay comprises of a sandy beach surrounded by basalt cliffs. This serene location is contrasted by dark and brooding headlands and wild waves that often crash onto jagged rocks guarding the entrance to the bay.
Bushrangers Bay can be accessed along Main Creek from the Boneo Road car park and picnic area (2.5km). This section of the Two Bays Walking Track provides fine views and passes through shady Banksia groves.
Sorrento Ocean Beach
Sorrento Back Beach is located around 1.5km south of the town of Sorrento. The beach is a popular location for activities such as surfing, swimming, walking and exploring the rockpools at low tide.
The beach is patrolled on summer weekends and holidays. Please swim between the flags as ocean beaches are dangerous for swimming.
Facilities at the site include a large car park and picnic area with toilets. A café and kiosk is available year round and also caters for functions and weddings.
Cape Schanck
Flinders Ocean Beach - Mushroom Reef
London Bridge
Bird watching
Day trips
Family activities
How to get there
Picnic Areas
When you're there
Download the Mornington Peninsula National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.
Need to know
Picnic Areas
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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Fort Nepean (Point Nepean National Park)
Closures - Fort Nepean
Engine house walking track closed until further notice. Access to Gun emplacements 5 & 6, Engine House, Battery Observation Posts restricted. -
Mornington Peninsula National Park
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.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.
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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.
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 Beach (Mornington Peninsula National Park)
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.