Point Nepean, at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula

Less than an hour and a half from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula offers a lot of various activities. The beaches of Rosebud or Sorrento, the famous Hot Springs or the fantastic landscape of Cape Schanck, there is enough to spend an entire vacation! But few places can match the beauty of Point Nepean, at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula. Hiking trails, stunning views and a bit of history, this is the rich program that awaits you there!

Between the ocean and the bay

Summary

Point Nepean National Park
Quarantine Station
Fort Nepean
London Bridge
Things to know before you go

Point Nepean National Park

Created in 1988, Point Nepean National Park is the most westerly point on the Mornington Peninsula. At just 560 hectares, it is one of the smallest parks in Victoria! But not one of the least beautiful... Its hilly terrain offers gorgeous views of Port Philip Bay on one side, and of the Bass Strait on the other. It is open daily and entrance is free. You’ll find all the practical information at the end of this article.

Point Nepean is part of Bunurong Country. Its first inhabitants were the people of the Kulin nation who lived in the area for over 35,000 years. It had some of the earliest European settlement in Victoria during the 19th century. Important fortifications were built on this highly strategic location to protect access to Port Philip Bay. Point Nepean is also the scene of a particularly astonishing anecdote. In 1967, the Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt decided to go for a swim at Cheviot Beach. After a few minutes, he disappeared and his body was never found. He was an experienced swimmer, but when you see the power of the waves in this area it’s easy to imagine him being swept away by the current and drowning… Several dozen boats have actually been shipwrecked on this part of the coast.

Quarantine Station

The Quarantine Station can now be freely visited. The conditions were certainly very different at the time, and being held in quarantine after an exhausting journey must have been particularly stressful, but I find it really pleasant to stroll along the paths of this huge complex of around fifty buildings. Some are even open to the public, including the baggage decontamination unit. Finally, you won't come across any smallpox carriers but you might be lucky enough to see an echidna!

The first place of interest in Point Nepean National Park is the Quarantine Station. Established in 1852, it was the mandatory crossing point for new arrivals and migrants carrying illnesses. Dozens of servicemen returning from Europe after the First World War were housed there during the Spanish influenza pandemic. It was also used as a military camp and school, until it closed its doors in 1980. The visitor centre of the park is located in the former administration building.

Fort Nepean

At the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, Fort Nepean defended the entrance to Port Philip Bay. You will not be able to access it by car, as Defence Road is closed to traffic beyond Gunners Cottage. Instead, you can take the shuttle that runs inside the park, rent a bike from the Quarantine Station, or park at Gunners Cottage and continue on foot. This is the best option for me. Take the path through the bush towards Observation Point, then continue along the coast. You will have to walk the road to the fort after Eagles Nest. Stunning views over the bay and the Bass Strait throughout this easy hike of approximately 3.5 km!

Like the Quarantine Station, Fort Nepean is free to visit, including the tunnels where the soldiers sheltered. A few information signs allow you to learn more about the life of the garrison stationed there. Did you know that the first shot fired by the British Empire during the First World War was from this location? On the morning of August 5, 1914, just before the beginning of the war, a German cargo steamer attempted to leave the harbour of Melbourne. When the ship arrived at Fort Nepean, war had officially been declared. The captain was ordered to stop but he ignored the signals and continued on his way. It was only after a warning shot was fired that him and his crew finally surrendered.

London Bridge

This rock forming a natural arch (hence its name) is actually not located in Point Nepean National Park. It is in the westernmost part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park, but very easily accessible from Portsea. Just after leaving Point Nepean, turn right onto Back Beach Road, then right again onto London Bridge Road. Another option is to follow the hiking trails from the Quarantine Station. In any case, this beautiful London Bridge is worth a quick detour!

Things to know before you go

Point Nepean National Park is approximately 1.5 hours’ drive from Melbourne. The easiest way is to go by car, but you can also take the train to Frankston, then the 788 bus to the park entrance. Allow at least 2h30 for the journey in this case.

The park is open all year round and entry is free. It is a very touristy place, especially on weekends and during holidays, so I advise you to arrive as early as possible. Once there, you can park either at the Quarantine Station or at Gunners Cottage. A shuttle bus that passes through both these locations and travels along Defence Road takes you to Fort Nepean. The price is however quite dissuasive from my point of view: $12 per adult, and one-way tickets are not available. The last option to explore the park is to rent a bike at the Quarantine Station from Emocean.

You can also camp inside the park! The pre-pitched Discovery Tents next to the Quarantine Station are available from September to April each year. However, they are not among the places where camping is free in Victoria between 1 December 2024 and 30 June 2025.

Finally, click here to download the Visitor Guide, including a detailed map of the park.

Now you know everything! Have a great day at Point Nepean!