Destination moorings

Parks Victoria offers 24 swing moorings for public use as a short-term destination for recreational boating enthusiasts, visiting areas of Port Phillip and Western Port. These moorings have been designed to reduce environmental impact and provide convenient access to some of Victoria’s favourite locations.

Accessing a destination mooring

There are destination moorings in 6 locations across Port Phillip and 2 locations across Western Port. Destination moorings in Port Phillip are identifiable by a large orange buoy, and Western Port by a large, tear-drop shaped, yellow buoy. Most destination moorings are for short-term (overnight) lengths of stay.

Mud Island moorings are for sunlight hours only.

Most destination moorings can suit up to 14 metre length vessels, with 2 moorings at Sorrento able to accommodate 20 metre vessels, and Queenscliff moorings limited to 8.5 metres. Mud Island moorings are shallow, and only suitable for non-keeled vessels with a draft up to 0.5 metres. As each location has varying restrictions, users are encouraged to plan before accessing a destination mooring.

Destination moorings are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are not available for booking. Parks Victoria cannot ensure exclusive use during your stay if you move your vessel from the mooring. When arriving at your chosen location, you should observe information identified.

Once moored, call Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 to let us know your vessel and contact details.

Environmentally-friendly moorings

All destination moorings offered by Parks Victoria are designed to be environmentally-friendly. Conventional swing moorings can lead to damage of the marine environment, when the chain drags along the seabed as the vessel moves about with wind and tidal influences. This destroys marine life and vegetation underneath.

The design of environmentally-friendly swing moorings keeps components of the mooring off the seabed. By using a screw pin embedded in the seabed, a rotating swivel connection is attached to the anchor, with a floating rope leading to the top float buoy.

For locations and more information refer to the Destination Moorings fact sheet (PDF).