Summary

Point Nepean National Park is located at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, with outstanding coastal scenery and panoramic views of Bass Strait, the Rip and Port Phillip Bay. The park hosts military forts and tunnels and the historic Quarantine Station. Visitors can also view the memorial where Prime Minister Harold Holt went missing.

History

Point Nepean was a birthing place for women of the Bunarong People. There is evidence of Aboriginal settlement in the area for 40000 years.

A quarantine station was opened there in 1852 and operated until 1980. Gun batteries were installed in 1886 and more followed in later years. The artillery was removed after World War II.

Features

Natural features come from the coastal scenary, both from Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait. Man made attractions come from historical sites such as the miltary forts and quarantine station.

Access

The park is at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, 90km from Melbourne. It is accessible via public transport using a train service from Melbourne to Frankston followed by a bus to Portsea.

Contact details

http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/point-nepean-national-park

Walks in Point Nepean National Park

Easy

2.8 km one-way

1 hr

Bay Beach Walk

Explore the southern end of Port Phillip with this walk along the bay beach. The beach includes remnants of the old quarantine cattle jetty. Swimming is not advised due to Port Phillip's strong, unpredictable currents.

Medium

750 m return

30 mins

Cheviot Hill and Harold Holt Memorial

Visit the World War II fortifications on Cheviot Hill, the highest point in Point Nepean National Park, and a memorial to Harold Holt, Australia's 17th Prime Minister who disappeared at nearby Cheviot Beach in 1967.

Easy

1 km return

90 mins

Fort Nepean

Explore this 19th century fort that fired the first shot of the British Empire in WWI and the first Australian shot of WWII. Visitors can investigate the tunnels, forts and gun emplacements.

Easy

1 km return

45 mins

Gunners Cottage and Walker Pisterman Heritage Walk

Explore the original Master Gunner's house and nearby Point Nepean Cemetary before visiting the bay and the Observatory Point picnic area.

Easy

800 m return

45 mins

Pearce Barracks, Fort Pearce and Eagles Nest

Explore some of the fortifications built in the early 20th century while enjoying stunning views of Bass Strait and Port Phillip.

Very Easy

1 km return

30 mins

Quarantine Station

Tour the historical precinct of Point Nepean which hosted a Quarantine Station and an Army OFficer Cadet School.

Easy

1.8 km one-way

45 mins

Range Area Walk

Explore the rifle range used to train army cadets in firing rifles, grenades and machine guns - don't worry... they don't use it anymore :). The walk links the Quarantine Station with Cheviot Hill and passes through coastal scrub. Pause to climb the Monash Light tower to take in views of the park and coastline.

Medium

1.7 km one-way

40 mins

Wilsons Folly Track

This track links London Bridge in Mornington Peninsula National Park with Point Nepean. The walk traverses stands of Coastal Banksia, Moonah woodland and native grasslands. It can also be used an an extension of the long coastal walk from Cape Schanck.