Explore
Bushrangers Bay Walk (Mornington Peninsula National Park)
Bushrangers Bay Walk commences at the eastern carpark at Cape Schanck Lighthouse. You will meander through Coastal Alkaline Scrub and Swamp Scrub and drop down onto the magnificent Bushrangers Bay, which is surrounded by basalt cliffs with a large sandy beach formed by the outlet of Main Creek. If the tide is in you may get wet feet when wading across the shallow estuary of Main Creek.
When finished exploring the beach, and rockpools at low tide, and investigating the wonderful landscape in this area, follow the track back to Cape Schanck Lighthouse. This walk is a 5.4km return trip and will take approximately 2 hours. The walk has sandy unsealed narrow paths with steep stairs in some areas.
If you’re looking for something a little further then take the Two Bays Walking Track which is an off shoot of the Bushrangers Bay Walk and continues on north through shady banksia groves along the west bank of Main Creek back towards Boneo Road and Greens Bush.
Hooded Plovers call the dunes at Bushrangers Bay home, so it is important to follow all signage and keep off the habitat area for this magnificent but vulnerable beach-nesting bird. Snakes are also another creature that calls this area home, so please stay on the existing paths to avoid any unnecessary encounters.
Although beautiful, Bushrangers Bay is a dangerous swimming beach with unpredictable rips, strong currents, rocky reefs, and large waves. The beach is unpatrolled with limited access for emergency services. Given the aforementioned hazards, swimming is not recommended.
Before you visit check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at www.emergency.vic.gov.au, on the VicEmergency smartphone app or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
When finished exploring the beach, and rockpools at low tide, and investigating the wonderful landscape in this area, follow the track back to Cape Schanck Lighthouse. This walk is a 5.4km return trip and will take approximately 2 hours. The walk has sandy unsealed narrow paths with steep stairs in some areas.
If you’re looking for something a little further then take the Two Bays Walking Track which is an off shoot of the Bushrangers Bay Walk and continues on north through shady banksia groves along the west bank of Main Creek back towards Boneo Road and Greens Bush.
Hooded Plovers call the dunes at Bushrangers Bay home, so it is important to follow all signage and keep off the habitat area for this magnificent but vulnerable beach-nesting bird. Snakes are also another creature that calls this area home, so please stay on the existing paths to avoid any unnecessary encounters.
Although beautiful, Bushrangers Bay is a dangerous swimming beach with unpredictable rips, strong currents, rocky reefs, and large waves. The beach is unpatrolled with limited access for emergency services. Given the aforementioned hazards, swimming is not recommended.
Before you visit check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at www.emergency.vic.gov.au, on the VicEmergency smartphone app or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
How to get there
Bushrangers Bay Walk (Mornington Peninsula National Park)
Need to know
Bushrangers Bay Walk (Mornington Peninsula National Park)
Safety in nature
You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.
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. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.
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.
Warnings & Restrictions
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed
Restrictions
- No camping
- No drones without a permit
- No dogs allowed
- No horses
- No motorbikes/trailbikes
- No fires permitted
- No bicycles
- Management vehicle only
- No firearms allowed
Warnings
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Other warnings
- Heat exhaustion
- Trees may fall take care
- Limbs may fall take care
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Terrain hazards
- Slippery surface
- Uneven ground
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Animals and pests
- Snakes
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Water hazards
- Deep water
Be Prepared
Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.
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.
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.
Gunnamatta Ocean Beach Staircase from Main Carpark to Beach Closed Until Further Notice
Due to significant storm swell the staircase to the beach from the main carpark at Gunnamatta Ocean Beach is closed until further notice as it is unsafe. The footings on part of the structure are no longer connected to the ground and there is a 2+ meter drop from both stairs. A sand cliff edge has also formed. We apologise for any inconvenience.
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.
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.
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 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.