The best beaches and hidden gems along Mornington Peninsula
Summer is officially in full swing and it’s time to pack up the family car and head to the beach. Here’s the best sandy stretches, rock pools and surf spots to check out along the Mornington Peninsula.
South East
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When it comes to a day at the beach the Mornington Peninsula has all bases covered.
On the bay side are family friendly shallows to paddle in, sandy stretches for creating kingdoms and rock pools to explore.
Or you can walk on the wild side with a visit to the region’s ocean beaches that are popular with surfers, nature lovers and photographers.
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FAMILY FUN
MILLS BEACH — ESPLANADE, SOUTH OF TANTI AVE, MORNINGTON
Home to the Mornington Life Saving Club, this is the pick of the bunch for preschoolers. It’s patrolled on weekends and public holidays between noon and 6pm. There are toilets and change rooms, a kiosk, barbecues, picnic tables and free parking.
SOUTH BEACH — MAIN ENTRY OPPOSITE KILBURN GROVE, MT MARTHA
Lined by colourful bathing boxes, this beach is great for older children and teenagers (the water becomes deep quite quickly so be careful with small children). Nearby Mt Martha Life Saving Club patrols on weekends and public holidays. There is free parking and toilets at the village, which is just a short stroll away if you fancy an ice-cream or fish and chips.
ROSEBUD — MARINE PDE, FROM LONSDALE ST TO BONEO RD
This popular swimming beach stretches 9km and is protected by offshore sandbars. Rosebud and McCrae Life Saving Club runs patrols on weekends and public holidays during summer. The foreshore reserve has shaded picnic areas, barbecues and the beachside playground near the pier is one of the best on the Peninsula.
CATCH A WAVE
POINT LEO — WESTERN PDE
Of all the ocean beaches on the Peninsula this is the spot to make your surfing debut. Its gentle waves are perfect for grommets and the East Coast Surf School is conveniently located nearby. There’s also a kiosk, picnic areas, barbecues and play equipment on the foreshore reserve. Point Leo Surf Life Saving Club and professional lifeguards patrol the beach daily from December 26-January 26.
GUNNAMATTA BEACH — TRUEMANS RD, FINGAL
Consistently high swells make this the most popular surf spot on the Peninsula. It has been ranked among the world’s most dangerous stretches of water and is best suited to experienced surfers. It has two large car parks and toilet blocks that can be accessed from Truemans Rd.
Volunteer and professional lifeguards patrol daily from December 26-January 26.
MUSHROOM REEF — GOLF LINKS RD, FLINDERS
Boogie boarders flock to this spot to make the most of its perfectly shaped reef break. It’s also a marine sanctuary that is home to weedy sea dragon and the black and white sea star as well as myriad birds. Leave the car at the first car park off Golf Links Rd.
WALKIES
Our four legged friends like a day at the beach just as much as we do. Luckily, canine visitors are welcome at many Peninsula beaches. Dogs can run free between 7pm and 9am during daylight savings on most beaches and in some cases those hours are extended to 7pm to noon the following day. There are also some great beaches that are leash-free, all year round.
Mornington: Fosters Beach — narrow beach reached via Nunns Walking Track opposite 630 the Esplanade; Royal Beach — pebble beach opposite The Royal Hotel, access via steep walking track from Schnapper Point Drive.
Mt Martha: Hawker Beach — quiet sandy stretch accessible via a fire track opposite Helena St
Safety Beach; Tassells Cove — popular with locals this beach has lots to explore including small caves, to access the small car park exit Bruce Rd onto Marine Drive and continue over the small bridge.
Somers: Somers Beach — 200m of the beach, east from the bottom of the 100 wooden steps, car park at the corner of Belvedere and Miramar roads.
Flinders: Flinders Beach — long Sandy Beach between Dodds Creek and Manton Creek with parking in Spindrift Ave.
Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au or parkweb.vic.gov.au
HIDDEN GEMS
TIDEWAYS — NEPEAN HWY, OPPOSITE WESTMORE AVE, SORRENTO
This secluded beach is a family favourite the locals would like to keep secret. Tideways overlooks Sullivan Bay, the home of a short-lived convict settlement established in 1803 by Lieutenant-Colonel Collins.
POINT KING — PORTSEA
If you walk to the end of Point King Rd, you’ll find a hidden path leading to wooden stairs down to Point King Beach. The cliff top rising above the pretty little stretch of sand is known as Millionaires Row, where some of the nation’s richest spend their summers.
PEARSE’S BEACH — PEARSES RD, BLAIRGOWRIE
Park the car and walk to the end of Pearses Rd to find this sliver of protected beach on the wild side of the Peninsula. At high tide you can surf on the offshore reefs and swimming is also possible but watch out for rocks and reefs.
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