Bushrangers Bay Walk (Mornington Peninsula National Park)

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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.

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

Other warnings
Heat exhaustion

Trees may fall take care

Limbs may fall take care
Terrain hazards
Slippery surface

Uneven ground
Animals and pests
Snakes
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.

Upcoming Works - Two Bays Walking Trail Closure

The Two Bays Walking Trail will be closed from Latrobe Parade Carpark (Bunurong Track) through to Seawinds Gardens, from May 2025 to September 2025 while we undertake trail repair and upgrade works. This heavily eroded section requires trail resurfacing, construction of stone tread steps and drainage rectification works.

Visitors will not be able to complete the walk from Dromana Foreshore, instead will have to start/finish their journey from Seawinds Gardens through to Cape Schanck.

Charlottes Pass MTB trail will also be closed while works are underway.

Attachments: Two Bays Walking Trail - Repair Works Underway (267KB)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mushroom Reef Toilet Closure Finders Ocean Beach

The toilet at Flinders Ocean Beach, Mushroom Reef is permanently closed. The nearest alternative public toilets are Flinders town centre public toilets.