Point Nepean Campground project
Project status
Last updated: September 2024
The project
This project was delivered on Bunurong Country.
Point Nepean National Park is one of Victoria’s most important natural, cultural and historical places, and a popular visitor destination for hundreds-of-thousands of visitors each year. It is a significant place for Traditional Owners of the lands, the Bunurong people, and for the protection of a range of native plants and animals. The Quarantine Station and Forts have played a significant role in the history of Victoria’s early immigration and defence.
In 2018, following community consultation, a master plan for the park (PDF) was released with an aim to protect its unique and special qualities, and ensure that its complex stories as a cultural landscape are valued and expressed.
As part of the master plan implementation, in 2018 Parks Victoria upgraded Defence Road, providing improved visitor safety and enabling bicycle access to Fort Nepean. In 2020, new visitor facilities were added at the Quarantine Station including seating, picnic and barbecue facilities with shelters and a drinking fountain.
In 2023 a new low-impact campground was opened to the public, and then further expanded in 2024.
Parks Victoria is progressing another initiative from the master plan - a storytelling and interpretation project.
Campground Stage 1 – Coastal campground
Stage 1 of the Point Nepean National Park campground project was completed in 2022, with 33 bookable tent platforms constructed near the foreshore in the Quarantine Station precinct. The pre-pitched ‘Discovery Tents’ feature two-person and four-person sites, as well as sites that are accessible with assistance.
The area also features the heritage Isolation Ward building, which has been refurbished and converted into a camping amenities building to provide the comforts needed for a great overnight stay. Visitors can enjoy hot showers, toilets, and a camp kitchenette equipped with crockery and cutlery, along with an outdoor dining area and barbecues.
Campground Stage 2 – Woodland campground
Stage 2 of the campground project has delivered more tent platforms nestled among the park’s magical Moonah trees. The new ‘Woodland’ campground area is located south of the heritage Hospital Buildings 5 and nearby the recently constructed bathroom, kitchen and picnic facilities.
Project benefits
Visitors and community
The campground creates a unique opportunity for people to extend their visit to one of Victoria’s most beautiful and significant national parks, strengthening their support for its conservation. The pre-pitched tents make the camping more accessible for people with limited camping experience.
With annual visitation to the national park increasing significantly, the implementation of the master plan includes repairs, upgrades and other improvements to provide more opportunities for the community to experience this special space and learn about its rich history.
Environment
The use of low-impact tent platforms reduces the disturbance of the ground and surrounding vegetation in the park. While building Stage 2 of the campground, we cleared existing weeds and invasive plant species. The campground layout has been carefully planned to ensure the much-loved Moonah trees are protected.
With annual visitation to the national park increasing significantly, the implementation of the master plan includes repairs, upgrades and other improvements to ensure the health of the park is managed.
Project funding
The Victorian Government has provided $6.4 million to create the new campground and deliver the storytelling and interpretation project, including funding from the $106.6 million Victoria’s Great Outdoors program, via the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and also from the Regional Tourism Investment Fund - Stimulus Round, via the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR).
Environment and cultural heritage management
Cultural heritage, Heritage Victoria and flora and fauna assessments have been undertaken for each stage of this project, to ensure that Aboriginal cultural heritage, non-Aboriginal cultural heritage and plants and wildlife are managed appropriately.
Who are we working with?
To deliver Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the new campground at Point Nepean, we have worked with:
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
- Department of Jobs, Skills, Industries and Regions (DJSIR)
- Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Heritage Victoria
- Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
- Point Nepean National Park Advisory Group
The Point Nepean National Park Master Plan was informed by community consultation undertaken during 2017, and we’re continuing to talk with the community about projects in the park, including through the Point Nepean National Park Advisory Group.
Access changes
Before visiting, check the Point Nepean National Park page on the Parks Victoria website for any changes of conditions.
Putting safety first
Visitor safety is our number one priority when considering risk in parks. While nature will always be unpredictable, our projects and maintenance works help minimise risks and help people explore the great outdoors safely.
Parks Victoria is responsible for continuously managing and maintaining over 50,000 pieces of infrastructure across the state annually. We’re also delivering new projects to help visitors get into nature. These are thoroughly planned and prepared to keep people and projects separate – and safe.
When visiting a park where projects are happening, especially during construction, it’s important that people follow the direction of signs, stay out of fenced and restricted areas, and listen to Parks Victoria staff and work crews.
Staying updated
Subscribe for updates, check this page or reach out to the team at engage@parks.vic.gov.au.
Related information
- Community update: Point Nepean National Park Community update April 2024
- News: Works start on Point Nepean Campground expansion (April 2024)
- News: Discover even more at Point Nepean National Park (December 2023)
- News: Bookings open for new camping experience at Point Nepean
- News: Campground getting ready for spring
- News: Campground coming to life at Point Nepean
- News: Point Nepean campground project ready to start
- Point Nepean Master Plan 2017
- Point Nepean Storytelling and Interpretation project
- Fort Nepean upgrades
- Point Nepean National Park projects
- Point Nepean Discovery Tents
- Point Nepean National Park
FAQs
Why are these projects being delivered?
The Point Nepean National Park Master Plan was developed in consultation with the community and released in 2018. It sets out initiatives that aim to protect the park’s unique values and ensure that its complex stories as a cultural landscape are celebrated and expressed.
The campground is creating a unique opportunity for people to extend their visit to one of Victoria’s most beautiful and significant national parks, which is helping visitors to immerse themselves in the rich heritage and values of the park, in-turn strengthening their support for its conservation.
What are the campground and facilities like?
The layout and design of both Stage 1 and 2 of the new campground ensures a low-impact presence; with the tent layout planned carefully to reduce impact to native vegetation, and a dedicated facilities area to maintain the health and amenity of the park. The facilities include toilets, showers, a camp kitchenette and an adjoining outdoor barbecue area.
How can I book to stay in one of the Point Nepean Discovery Tents?
The pre-pitched Discovery Tents at Point Nepean National Park are available from September to April each year. You can book your stay at the Parks Victoria website.
How can I find out more about projects at Point Nepean National Park?
You can subscribe for updates here, call our customer service team on 13 1963 or email the project team at engage@parks.vic.gov.au. We’ll also keep the Point Nepean Projects webpage updated as the projects progress.