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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 National Park event calendar 2024-2025

Event date/s Event name  Event time/s Attendees 
Saturday 28 September 2024 Point Nepean Portsea Market
9.00 am - 2.00 pm
2000
Sunday 6 October 2024 Around the Bay in a Day
9.00 am - 11.00 am 400
Sunday 13 October 2024 The Bloody Long Walk
7.00 am - 9.00 am 2100
Sunday 3 November 2024 Point Nepean Heritage Motor Show
9.00 am - 2.00 pm 3500
Saturday 30 November 2024 Point Nepean Portsea Market
9.00 am - 2.00 pm
2000
27-31 December 2024  Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club
8.00 am - 12.00 pm 200
2-7 January 2025 Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club
8.00 am - 12.00 pm
200
Saturday 5 January 2025 Portsea Twilight 2023
6.00 pm - 8.00 pm 2000
Sunday 12 January 2025 Sorrento Couta Boat Club Event
11.00 am - 5.30 pm 150
Friday 17 January 2025 Portsea Classic - Bay to Surf Run
4.00 pm - 6.00 pm 2000
Saturday 18 January 2025 Portsea Swim Classic 2024
10.00 am - 4.00 pm 2850
Sunday 19 January 2025 Point Nepean Portsea Market 
9.00 am - 2.00 pm
2000
Sunday 23 February 2025 Walk for Relief
9.00 am - 11.30 am 300
Saturday 8 March 2025 Point Nepean Portsea Market 
9.00 am - 2.00 pm
2000
Saturday 29 March 2025 Wedding (Jarman Oval)
3.00 pm - 10.30 pm 200
Saturday 19 April 2025 Point Nepean Portsea Market 
9.00 am - 2.00 pm
2000

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.

Need to know

Point Nepean Discovery Tents

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.

  • Point Nepean Quarantine Station

    Information Centre Closed

    The Quarantine Station Information Centre will be closed on all  weekends between the 5th July and 5th August.  No Quarantine buildings will be open to the public on these weekends either. 

    Discovery Tents expansion: February – late 2024

    Works to expand the ‘Discovery Tents’ campground at Point Nepean National Park are nearing completion, with re-vegetation and planting underway. 

    During this time, access to the new camping area will be temporarily closed to allow time for the grass and plantings to establish. Bunting and signage is in place to help direct visitors. For more information, visit the project page, email the team at engage@parks.vic.gov.au or call us on 13 1963.

  • Fort Nepean

    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

    Visitor information center and Quarantine Station buildings closed

    The visitor information center and Quarantine Station buildings will be closed to the public from 6 July until 4 August 2024. The park is open and visitors can explore the outside of the buildings. Park visitor guides can be accessed from the Parks Victoria website https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/point-nepean-national-park

    Self-guided brochures explaining the history of the Quarantine Station can be accessed from https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/point-nepean-national-park/attractions/quarantine-station and about Fort Nepean https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/point-nepean-national-park/attractions/fort-nepean 

    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.

 
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