Point Nepean Campground project
Stage 1 works to build the Point Nepean 'Discovery Tents' campground were completed and opened in early 2023. Stage 2 works to expand the campground were completed and opened in September 2024.
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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 and opened in early 2023, 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 provided $6.4 million to create the new campground and deliver the storytelling and interpretation project.
Who we worked with
To deliver Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the new campground at Point Nepean, we 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
Related information
- News: Point Nepean campground expansion complete (September 2024)
- 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