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Point Nepean Discovery Tents

Located within the historic Quarantine Station precinct, the pre-pitched Discovery Tents offer a unique opportunity to camp under canvas within the idyllic coastal Point Nepean National Park.
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The pre-pitched Discovery Tents at Point Nepean National Park are available from September to April each year.

The standing‐height tents are fixed to timber platforms and include basic camp furniture. The campground area features two and four person sites, as well as amenities including hot showers, toilets, and a fully equipped camp kitchen with an outdoor dining area and barbecues. You can bring your own personal barbecue (Gas only – no solid fuel), but they must be used in the designated barbecue area and not within the campground due to safety risks.

Tents are fitted out with stretcher beds, mattresses and some basic storage for personal belongings. Guests are required to bring their own pillows, linen/sleeping bag, chairs, torch, toiletries and personal items.

All guests have access to a camp kitchen fitted with a stove, fridge, toaster, kettle, microwave, pots, pans and cooking utensils with preparation benches and washing up sinks. There is also an outdoor barbecue and dining area perfect to prepare your favourite meal and relax after a day of national park adventures. Refrigerators are provided in the kitchen for campground guests. During peak period and long weekends space can be limited and it is recommended that guests bring their own ice chest or esky to keep food and drink refrigerated.

Campervans, caravans, camper trailers, vehicle rooftop tents and BYO tents are not permitted in the national park. Nearby bayside foreshore reserves and towns host a wide range of caravan, camping and roofed accommodation options. 

Cycling is a great way to explore the many historic sights at Point Nepean National Park. Visitors can bring their own bikes or hire them (including e-bikes) from the Quarantine Station Visitor Information Area. Cycling is permitted in the Quarantine Station Area, along Defence Road to Fort Nepean and along Coles Track which is a shared path with walkers. Helmets must be worn and a lock is recommended when leaving your bike.

Special events

Over the warmer months, Point Nepean National Park is a popular location for weekend events including community and fundraising events, craft markets and weddings. These events can attract a high number of visitors and whilst event organisers agree to comply with noise restrictions, it may impact the camping experience in the park. Please be aware of this when you make a weekend booking at Point Nepean Discovery Tents.

 

 Point Nepean Event Calendar 2024

Event Date

Event Name

Event Time/s

Attendees

Location
 January 2, 4, 6, 7  Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club 8am - 12pm 100  Port Phillip Bay / Jarman Oval
 Saturday, 6 January 2024 Portsea Twilight 2023 6pm - 8pm 2000 Quarantine Station / Jarman Oval
 Friday, 19 January 2024 Portsea Classic - Bay to Surf Run  4pm - 6pm 2000 Point Nepean NP / Jarman Oval
 Saturday, 20 January 2024  Portsea Swim Classic 2024  10am - 4pm 2850 Port Phillip Bay / Jarman Oval
 Sunday, 21 January 2024 Point Nepean Portsea Market 10am - 2pm 2000 Pt Nepean
 Sunday, 18 February 2024 Lift the Lid Walk Mental Health 8am - 12pm 2000 Quarantine Station / Jarman Oval
 Saturday, 9 March 2024 Point Nepean Portsea Market 10am - 2pm 2000 Quarantine Station / Jarman Oval
 Saturday, 30 March 2024 Point Nepean Portsea Market 10am - 2pm 2000 Quarantine Station / Jarman Oval

 

Things To Do

Quarantine Station

Point Nepean Quarantine Station offers a glimpse into the early European history of Victoria. Established in 1852, explore nearly 50 heritage-listed buildings. Learn about life at this once-remote location and the station's critical role in protecting Australia from introduced diseases.
South Channel Fort in Port Philip part of the Point Nepean National Park.

South Channel Fort

The South Channel Fort is a reminder of Port Phillip Bay's early history as part of the defence lines for Melbourne. The artificial island was constructed in the 1880s to illuminate the channel at night and electronically explode mines under attacking ships coming through the Heads.
A view of the bunker and canons overlooking Bass Straight at Fort Nepean.

Fort Nepean

Fort Nepean is one of the fortifications that protected Melbourne during World War I and II. Located at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, where the calm waters of Port Phillip meet the wild waves of the Southern Ocean, explore the extensive tunnel complex which connects the historic gun emplacements.
Wide shot of a bus on a road surrounded by nature

Point Nepean shuttle service

The Point Nepean Shuttle is a hop-on hop-off shuttle service transporting visitors between the front entrance, Quarantine Station and Fort Nepean.
A retired couple walk with a ranger through the quarantine station at Point Nepean.

Point Nepean Visitor Centre

Drop into the Visitor Centre to hire a bike, gather information and get tips on what to do in the park.

How to get there

Point Nepean Discovery Tents

Point Nepean National Park is located 110 km from Melbourne near Portsea. Access to the Discovery Tents is through the main entrance and national park roads.
Point Nepean Discovery Tents

When you're there

Download the Point Nepean National Park Visitor Guide and map. 

Need to know

Point Nepean Discovery Tents

Accessibility

The campground provides dedicated accessible tents (tents 1 and 5), pathways, amenities, kitchen, picnic tables and barbecues. However, the stretcher beds provided may not be suitable for all all-abilities guests. Guests can contact the Parks Victoria Bookings team to discuss specific accessibility requirements prior to booking or arrival.

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

 

Safety

Point Nepean National Park is predominantly a natural setting with remote areas of thick bushland and sections of rugged rocky ocean coastline facing Bass Strait. Please remain on formed walking tracks and shared user roads when exploring.  The national park is also home to native wildlife such as wallabies, echidnas, bandicoots, birds, lizards and snakes. Whales and dolphins are sometimes seen close to shore, while seals and penguins may occasionally come out and rest on the beach.  Do not approach or feed wildlife and report any distressed, injured or aggressive animals to rangers.

Swimming is not permitted along the ocean coastline or recommended from the bay beaches of Point Nepean due to large and unexpected waves, rip currents, strong winds, swift tides, drop offs and submerged obstacles.  The nearest safe swimming bay side beaches are at Sorrento or Portsea townships. Ocean facing beaches within nearby Mornington Peninsula National Park are patrolled by Surf Life Savers during the summer holidays at Sorrento Back Beach and Portsea Ocean Beach – look for the recommended swimming zones between the beach flags.  Always observe aquatic hazard risk signs and take note of the displayed emergency marker codes in the event of an emergency and seeking assistance.

For emergency assistance call Triple Zero (000). If there is a green emergency marker sign near you, read the code information on the marker to the operator. Point Nepean National Park is in the Central Fire District. Bushfire safety is a personal responsibility. Anyone entering parks and forests during the bushfire season needs to stay aware of forecast weather conditions. Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the VicEmergency App or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. No fires may be lit on Total Fire Ban days. On Extreme / Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating days, this park will be closed for public safety. Warnings signs may be erected, but do not expect a personal warning. Check the latest conditions at parks.vic.gov.au or by calling 13 1963.  

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.

  • South Channel Fort (Point Nepean National Park, Local Port of Port Phillip)

    South Channel Fort (Point Nepean National Park) - Tunnels closed

    The South Channel Fort and Jetty remains open to public access. However, all access into the sub terrain tunnels/ keep (via Licensed Tour Operators) is currently restricted due to safety concerns - pending further engineering/ technical assessments.

  • 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 Quarantine Station (Point Nepean National Park)

    Discovery Tents expansion: February – late 2024

    Works to expand the ‘Discovery Tents’ campground at Point Nepean National Park are underway. During this time, some areas of the Quarantine Station may be temporarily closed to public access, and there may be some construction noise. For more information, visit the project page, email the team at engage@parks.vic.gov.au or call us on 13 1963.

  • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

    May 24th - No Shuttle Bus service this day due to Public Event

    No Shuttle Bus service May 24th 

 
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