Point Nepean National Park

Explore

Point Nepean National Park

Point Nepean National Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Bunurong People. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Bunurong Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

The history of Point Nepean spans back thousands of years to the Bunurong people and it has also played an important role in shaping the early European settlement and defence of Australia, being used to quarantine people arriving in Victoria, defending the colony and for military training.

Walk or cycle through this rugged coastal landscape and enjoy panoramic ocean and bay views. Explore military forts and tunnels, learn about the people who passed through the Quarantine Station - and see fascinating artefacts spanning back over 150 years. View the site and memorial where Prime Minister Harold Holt went missing while swimming at the nearby Cheviot Beach. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Point Nepean National Park is a safe and enjoyable one.

Extend your stay at our new Point Nepean Discovery Tents campground. Perfect to explore the National Park, the pre-pitched canvas tents offer the opportunity to stay in nature without the fuss of setting up your own camping equipment. 

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.

Find a Licensed Tour Operator

How to get there

Point Nepean National Park

Point Nepean National Park is located 110km south of Melbourne near Portsea. If driving, take the M1, Eastlink (M3), then Mornington Peninsula Freeway (M11) and follow the signs to Portsea and continue along Point Nepean Road. Alternatively, take the Queenscliff to Sorrento vehicle and passenger ferry (Searoad Ferries) which operates daily and connects with Point Nepean Road at Sorrento.

Visitors can also catch a suburban train from Melbourne to Frankston, or the Searoad ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento, and then take the PTV bus to Portsea (788), which terminates at the national park entrance. An internal park shuttle bus operates from the nearby Entrance Station Picnic Area carpark (100m walk) which links with the 788 PTV bus for transfers to/from the Quarantine Station (pick-up 10:25 am & 1:30 pm, drop-off 1:00 pm & 4:15 pm, or 4:45 pm during day light saving time). For a 788 PTV timetable, refer to the Public Transport Victoria website and Searoad Ferries website for ferry times.

The Quarantine Station is 2.3 km from the Entrance Station Picnic Area carpark via the shared bicycle/walking track and cycling is a great way to discover this vast 560ha park.

Point Nepean National Park is open daily. Vehicles may enter the park between 6am-6pm (6am-8pm in daylight savings) and can exit at anytime. Pedestrians and cyclists can enter and exit the park any time. The Point Nepean Information Centre is open daily from 10am, except Christmas day. Selected buildings in the Quarantine Station are open for the public to explore from 9am – 4:30pm daily.

Boat landing is permitted in designated boat landing areas in front of the Quarantine Station only.

Access from the shore to ocean beaches and marine national parks is prohibited due to conservation efforts and for safety reasons.

Swimming at the bay beach and the Quarantine Station is permitted. However be aware of strong currents and rips.

When to go

Point Nepean National Park is a hive of activity from November to April. Join in the fun with events such as craft markets, Portsea Swim Classic, Portsea Twilight, Portsea Polo, Barefoot Cinema and Portsea Running Festival.

In the warmer months, snake sightings can be common within the park. Please be mindful of their presence and do not approach or harm snakes.

Need to know

Point Nepean National Park

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.

  • 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.  

  • Point Nepean National Park

    Fox Control Program

    Parks Victoria are undertaking fox control in Point Nepean National Park to relieve predation of vulnerable and threatened native fauna. Programs involve the use of soft jaw leg hold traps, Canid Pest Ejectors and para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP) poison, as well as buried PAPP poison, to bait foxes in strategic locations.
     Fox trapping and baiting will occur until June 2025.
     Dogs are prohibited from entering Point Nepean 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.

    Point Nepean Front Gate Closing and Opening times

    The front gate is currently opening at 6am and closing at 6pm until further notice. 

Point Nepean National Park

3880 Point Nepean Rd
Portsea VIC 3944
13 1963
X
By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. By continuing to use our site you consent to this. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
Confirm