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Koonya Ocean Beach (Mornington Peninsula National Park)
This open sandy beach, located within the Mornington Peninsula National Park, in Blairgowrie, is accessible via stairs and a steep ramp from the high set sealed carpark which provides spectacular uninterrupted views both over Bass Strait and across the narrowest point of the peninsula to nearby Port Phillip.
The beach attracts keen surfers who are confident in navigating the dangerous rips that can occur here. Fishing is a popular activity along the rocky shoreline, due to the gutters, rip holes and rocky reefs that provide refuge to the vast marine life. The beaches sandy scape that meets the rocky shore welcomes walkers who are keen to investigate the rock pools or stroll along the waters edge at low tide.
The Hooded Plover calls the dunes at Koonya Ocean Beach home, so it is important to follow all signage and keep off the habitat area for this vulnerable beach-nesting bird. Snakes also call this area home, so please stay on the existing paths to avoid any unnecessary encounters.
Although beautiful, Koonya Ocean Beach 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.
The beach attracts keen surfers who are confident in navigating the dangerous rips that can occur here. Fishing is a popular activity along the rocky shoreline, due to the gutters, rip holes and rocky reefs that provide refuge to the vast marine life. The beaches sandy scape that meets the rocky shore welcomes walkers who are keen to investigate the rock pools or stroll along the waters edge at low tide.
The Hooded Plover calls the dunes at Koonya Ocean Beach home, so it is important to follow all signage and keep off the habitat area for this vulnerable beach-nesting bird. Snakes also call this area home, so please stay on the existing paths to avoid any unnecessary encounters.
Although beautiful, Koonya Ocean Beach 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.
How to get there
Koonya Ocean Beach (Mornington Peninsula National Park)
Need to know
Koonya Ocean Beach (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 dogs allowed
- No drones without a permit
- No horses
- No fires permitted
- No firearms allowed
- No camping
Warnings
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Water hazards
- Rough Surf
- Shallow water
- Strong currents
- Submerged obstacles
- Deep water
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Animals and pests
- Snakes
- Sharks
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Other warnings
- Unpatrolled area
- Vehicles
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Terrain hazards
- Steep track
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.
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.
Two Bays Walking Trail Closed - Latrobe Parade carpark to Seawinds Gardens
The Two Bays Walking Trail is closed from Latrobe Parade Carpark to Seawinds Gardens from May 2025 - September 2025, while we undertake trail repair and upgrade works. This heavily eroded section requires 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. Please refer to attached maps.
There is ample parking available at Seawinds Gardens including bus parking for large walking groups (i.e. school groups).
Charlottes Pass MTB Trail will also be closed while works are underway.
We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to reopening this improved section of trail shortly.
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.