NewsBite

Top 10 things to do at the Bass Coast

With the “ring of steel” officially lifted, Victorians can start planning their spring and summer getaways. Here are the top 10 places to visit on the Bass Coast.

George Bass Coastal Walk is popular trail in the Bass Coast. Picture: Emma Heath
George Bass Coastal Walk is popular trail in the Bass Coast. Picture: Emma Heath

The ring of steel officially lifted on Monday, allowing Melburnians to travel freely to regional Victoria.

With local economies taking a hit from the pandemic, it’s never been more important than ever to get and explore the towns in our own backyard.

From hidden caves and big sand dunes to trestle bridges and man-made rock pools, here are 10 places to visit in the Bass Coast.

POWLETT RIVER, KILCUNDA

Powlett River. Picture: My Gippsland
Powlett River. Picture: My Gippsland

Located between Kilcunda and Dalyston, Powlett River is the perfect spot to fish and explore an abundance of rock pools.

Known for its sand dunes, you will find kids boarding down them in the summer time.

CHURCHILL ISLAND, PHILLIP ISLAND

Highland Cow at Churchill Island. Picture: Mark Thurman
Highland Cow at Churchill Island. Picture: Mark Thurman

Part of Phillip Island Nature Parks, Churchill Island is the perfect place to visit for people of all ages.

There’s a range of walking and cycling trails as well as daily farming activities.

You can’t miss the highland cows that can be found at the Churchill Island Heritage Farm.

EAGLES NEST, INVERLOCH

Eagles Nest in Inverloch attracts tourists all year round. Picture: Kt.igphotography
Eagles Nest in Inverloch attracts tourists all year round. Picture: Kt.igphotography

Located on the Bunurong Coast that lies between Inverloch and Cape Patterson, this rock formation is a sight to see.

The Eagles Nest is surrounded by sandstone cliffs and the rock pools are only accessible at low tide.

GEORGE BASS COASTAL WALK

Views on the George Bass Coastal Walk. Picture: Emma Heath
Views on the George Bass Coastal Walk. Picture: Emma Heath

The popular George Bass Coastal Walk is a clifftop trail that stretches from the outskirts of San Remo to Kilcunda.

The walk is around 7km and takes an average of two hours to walk one way.

The trail offers spectacular views of the coastline and follows the route of the explorer George Bass’ voyage of discovery along the southern edge of the Anderson Peninsula, more than 200 years ago.

FORREST CAVES, NEWHAVEN

Forrest Caves is a hidden gem in Phillip Island. Picture: Leonor Lainez
Forrest Caves is a hidden gem in Phillip Island. Picture: Leonor Lainez

Forrest Caves is a hidden gem in Newhaven that features sea caverns formed by the erosion of the cliffs over many years.

It can be hard to find and can only be accessed at low tide.

Keep an eye out for large sand dunes that are home to thousands of short-tailed shearwaters from October to April.

BOURNE CREEK TRESTLE BRIDGE, KILCUNDA

Bourne Creek Trestle Bridge is also known as Kilcunda Trestle Bridge. Picture: Marni Rosbrook
Bourne Creek Trestle Bridge is also known as Kilcunda Trestle Bridge. Picture: Marni Rosbrook

Constructed in 1911, the heritage-listed Kilcunda Bridge stretches 91m across Bourne Creek at Kilcunda.

The 12m high wooden trestle bridge formed part of the Woolamai-Wonthaggi railway until 1978, and is now a feature of the Bass Coast Rail Trail.

SETTLEMENT POINT, CORINELLA

Settlement Point is the perfect spot to view sunsets in Corinella. Picture: Anna Carson
Settlement Point is the perfect spot to view sunsets in Corinella. Picture: Anna Carson

After a short walk through a wide variety of native vegetation and wetlands, you’ll find Settlement Point.

This Corinella location allows you to enjoy views from the lookout of Western Port’s cliffs and coastline, as well as the nearby French Island.

CAPE PATERSON BAY BEACH

Rock pools at Cape Paterson Bay Beach. Picture: Visit Cape Paterson
Rock pools at Cape Paterson Bay Beach. Picture: Visit Cape Paterson

Cape Paterson Bay Beach is a 400m curved beach located adjacent to the centre of the Cape Paterson town.

This popular beach is ideal for families and includes a man-made rock pool on the nearby rock platform.

SHACK BAY, INVERLOCH

Shack Bay near Inverloch. Picture: Brooke Grebert-Craig
Shack Bay near Inverloch. Picture: Brooke Grebert-Craig

Shack Bay is located along the Bunurong Coast, right near the Eagles Nest.

After walking down some steep stairs, you will find this slice of paradise.

The bay got its name from the miners who built shacks during their five month long strike in 1934.

They were removed in 1977.

CAPE WOOLAMAI, PHILLIP ISLAND

Cape Woolamai at sunset. Picture: Place Pulse
Cape Woolamai at sunset. Picture: Place Pulse

Cape Woolamai is one of Phillip Island’s most popular natural attractions.

There are a variety of walks to do where you can experience panoramas views of the island.

MORE NEWS

WHY NEWHAVEN BOYS HOME IS FOR SALE

COUNCIL MAKES CALL ON NYE FIREWORKS

PHILLIP ISLAND SCHOOLIES IN JEOPARDY

brooke.grebert-craig@news.com.au

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/bass-coast/top-10-things-to-do-in-the-bass-coast/news-story/56450b04dcc79ceab3efd3846ad502cd