Point Nepean National Park 3-day itinerary

Point Nepean National Park, located on Bunurong Country, is just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne.

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.

Known for its rugged coastline and panoramic ocean views, Point Nepean National Park on the Mornington Peninsula is the perfect getaway for a midweek escape or a long weekend adventure.

Bird's eye view of Point Nepean National Park.

Point Nepean National Park

Jump to section:


Download: Point Nepean National Park visitor guide (PDF)

How to get to Point Nepean National Park

Point Nepean National Park is open daily. Vehicles can enter the park between 6am and 6pm (or 6am and 8pm during Daylight Saving Time) and can exit at any time. There is no entry fee for Point Nepean National Park.

The park is just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne or 10-minutes' drive from Sorrento Pier where the Queenscliff to Sorrento passenger ferry operates.

The nearest towns to Point Nepean National Park are Portsea (5-minutes) and Sorrento (10-minutes), known for their beaches, coastal views and cafes.

Read more: Ocean beaches in Mornington Peninsula National Park

 

Where to stay in Point Nepean National Park

The pre-pitched Discovery Tents are the only accommodation option inside Point Nepean National Park.

Located within the historic Quarantine Station precinct, they offer a hassle-free camping experience. The campground area features two and four-person tent sites, plus hot showers, toilets, and a fully equipped camp kitchen with an outdoor dining area and barbecues. Just pack an overnight bag, sleeping bag, and a pillow, and you're all set!

There are 4 dedicated accessible tents in the campground, however the stretcher beds provided may not be suitable for all all-abilities guests. If you need more information, contact us to discuss specific accessibility requirements. Find out more about accessibility in the park.

Check-in to the Discovery Tents from 2pm at the campground reception (open 9.30am to 4.30pm daily), where you can also pick up one of the provided trolleys to help you unload everything and get settled. The Discovery Tents are available from September to April, and bookings are required.

BOOK NOW
Three people walking along path near tents holding personal belongings.

All you need to bring is your sleeping bag and personal items.

Two people at the entrance of a wheelchair accessible tent.

Dedicated accessible tents are available to book.

Point Nepean National Park itinerary

Day one – Step back in time at the Quarantine Station

The Discovery Tents are tucked away in a quiet area of the park, right near the historic Quarantine Station.

When you're all set up, take a 400m walk over to the Point Nepean Visitor Information Centre, located within the Quarantine Station (open from 10am daily, except Christmas Day), to get your bearings and more information on the national park.

The Quarantine Station played a critical role in protecting Australia from introduced diseases from 1852 and offers a unique opportunity to see how many new Australians spent their first few weeks in their new country. This community of hospitals, disinfecting complex, morgue, cemetery and other unused buildings comprised an infectious disease facility where newly arrived people and livestock were screened and treated as needed.

The information centre offers self-guided brochures that provide insight into the history and cultural significance of the park.

Download: Quarantine Station self-guided brochure (PDF)

A man pointing at an interpretive sign with a woman reading off the board.

Go on a self-guided walk to learn about the history of the Quarantine Station.

Woman and man walking between two buildings.

Wander through close to 50 heritage-listed buildings.

Selected buildings in the Quarantine Station are open for the public to explore from 9.30am to 4pm daily.

Spend the afternoon wandering through heritage-listed buildings, rich with over 150 years of history. 

After immersing yourself in the past, settle into your campsite and make use of the camp kitchen and BBQ facilities. Campers can also enjoy fresh ingredients from the on-site herb garden and fruit trees—perfect for preparing a delicious meal before another day of national park adventures.

As the day winds down, head to the beach to watch a breathtaking sunset over the water.

Day two – Explore the tip of the peninsula

Wake up to the sound of the ocean and start your day with a sunrise walk along the beach. Chances are, you’ll have the walk all to yourself before the day visitors arrive.

From the Quarantine Station, drive (5-minutes), walk (25-minutes) or cycle (7-minutes) to Gunners Cottage, the original Master Gunners house. Once home to military personnel and their families, it marks the furthest point accessible by car within Point Nepean National Park.

From here, you can reach Fort Nepean at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, on foot or bicycle. Alternatively, you can catch the half-hourly hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus service which runs daily (except Christmas Day) between the Quarantine Station and Fort Nepean return, stopping at Gunners Cottage, Cheviot Hill and Fort Pearce.

Fort Nepean became an important defence post due to its strategic position protecting Melbourne during World War I and II. Allow at least an hour to zigzag through the extensive tunnel complex which connects the historic gun emplacements.

Alternatively, detour from Defence Road and discover a network of coastal and inland walking trails.

Two people walking on Defence Road.

Walk or cycle along Defence Road to Fort Nepean.

Two bike riders stopped on the edge of a path looking out to the coastal view.

Stop to take in the coastal views along the way.

Gunners Cottage and Walter Pisterman Heritage Walk

  • Distance: 1km
  • Time: 45 minutes return
  • Difficulty: Easy

 

Explore burials of shipwreck victims in the nearby Point Nepean Cemetery and follow the Walter Pisterman Heritage Walk which links to the bay and Observatory Point picnic area.

 

Bay Beach Walk

  • Distance: 2.8km
  • Time: 1 hour one way
  • Difficulty: Easy

 

From the Quarantine Station, walk along the bay beach via Coles Track. See remnants of the former quarantine cattle jetty at Observatory Point and take in the views of Port Phillip Bay.

Two people walking through an underground fort.

Walk through the tunnels at Fort Nepean.

Three people walking along sand near coastline.

Bay Beach Walk

Day three – Continue exploring the peninsula

Check out of your Discovery Tent by 10am – but exploring the park doesn’t have to stop there. Spend the day exploring the ocean side of the park’s peninsula.

 

Monash Track & Range Area Walk

  • Distance: 1.8km
  • Time: 45 minutes one way
  • Difficulty: Easy

 

Return to Gunner's Cottage early in the morning for a quick walk along the Monash Track to climb the Monash Light Lookout. See sweeping views of the entire national park and coastline. Don't be fooled by the steep start; this is an easy and family-friendly walk across an open range. The Range Area Walk meanders through coastal scrub and a former army Rifle Range. The Range was used to train army cadets to use firearms. The walk links the Quarantine Station with Cheviot Hill and provides access to the Happy Valley Track.

 

Wilsons Folly Track

  • Distance: 1.7km
  • Time: 40 minutes one way
  • Difficulty: Moderate

 

From Ochiltree Road, branch off onto Wilsons Folly Walking Track to reach London Bridge Lookout. At low tide, you can see beautiful glittery turquoise rock pools under and around the London Bridge rock formation. This track links London Bridge in Mornington Peninsula National Park with Point Nepean National Park. It is an extension of the longer Coastal Walk from Cape Schanck (part of the 100km Mornington Peninsula Walk circuit).

Three people at the beginning of the signed track, Wilsons Folly.

Wilsons Folly Track

Walkers looking out to London Bridge from the lookout.

Take in the vistas over Bass Strait from the London Bridge Lookout.

Add a few more days

If you love the region, why not stay a little longer? The Point Nepean Discovery Tents offer an affordable base for exploring the wider Mornington Peninsula.

You can savour local wines at cellar doors, dine at seaside restaurants, unwind in cosy hotels, browse bespoke markets or book a dolphin and whale watching tour with a local operator.

Every experience helps sustain the regional economy and keeps this incredible destination thriving. See the best of the Mornington Peninsula.

Tours and experiences in the park

  • Cycling and bike hire

    Cycling is one of the best ways to explore the park and visit its many historic sites.

    Bring your own bike or hire one from local operators like BayPlay, conveniently located near the information centre.

  • Shuttle bus

    The Point Nepean shuttle is a hop-on, hop-off service that transports visitors between the park entrance, Quarantine Station and Fort Nepean.

    The shuttle bus can accommodate standard wheelchairs, but cannot accommodate motorised scooters, all-terrain wheelchairs, or bicycles.

    The shuttle bus operates every day, except Christmas Day.

  • Tours

    One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.

    With over 400 operators offering over 60 nature-based activities, you’ll find plenty of ways to explore and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.

    At Point Nepean National Park, you can enjoy a variety of tours including bicycle tours, bush, coastal and nature walks, heritage tours, mountain biking, photography tours, kayaking, snorkelling, dolphin and whale watching tours, and spotlight tours.

    Find the perfect tour for you at Point Nepean National Park.

  • Wheelchair accessibility

    Two all-terrain beach wheelchairs (adult and youth size) and one standard wheelchair are available for loan, free of charge, from the information centre.

    Please contact us in advance to reserve the wheelchairs or visit the information centre on the day to arrange use.

    Find out more about accessibility in the park.

  • Coffee van

    The Smooth Electra coffee van is permanently located near the information centre within the Quarantine Station.

    If you're looking for a kickstart to your day, grab a coffee and lounge on the seats provided on the lawn area, or take it to the nearby beach, where you can soak in the tranquil views—if you're lucky, you might even spot dolphins frollicking in the water.

Start planning your trip

The best time to visit Point Nepean is midweek when the park is generally quieter.

At the tip of the Mornington Peninsula you’ll find the stunning Point Nepean National Park which offers so many things to see and do, why settle for just a day trip? Check-in to the pre-pitched Discovery Tents. With no need to buy or set up your own gear, it’s a perfect way to experience camping for the first time.

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