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A Local’s Guide to Point Nepean National Park [Read This Before You Go]

by Michele
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Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - View from Fort Nepean sunset
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Located at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula in its most westerly corner, Point Nepean is one of Victoria’s most beautiful natural landscapes. It’s rich in history, teeming with wildlife, and boasts some of the best views on the Mornington Peninsula. Here’s everything you need to know before you visit and the best things to do in Point Nepean National Park.

There is so much to see and learn during a visit to Point Nepean National Park. This picturesque park has a long history which dates back 40,000 years with evidence of Australian Aboriginal’s living in the area. In fact, Point Nepean was a sacred birthing place for women of the Bunurong People, just like Uluru is in the Northern Territory.

During its history, Point Nepean has played a significant role in early European settlement, quarantine, and defence of the state of Victoria. Point Nepean is home to Australia’s oldest surviving buildings erected for quarantine purposes and Fort Nepean – a former defensive facility built to protect the narrow entrance to Port Phillip, also known as The Rip.

Point Nepean National Park is featured in my vlog about the best things to do on the Mornington Peninsula. Watch it here!


Looking for something in particular? Use these links to jump around.

Included in this Point Nepean National Park guide


Map of Things to do in Nepean National Park

Want to know where you’ll be going? Take a look at the detailed map below.

Tip: For a larger view of the map, click on the icon in the top right corner.

Click on this interactive map to see the best things to do in Point Nepean National Park. Click on any pin for more information.


There are five major areas of Point Nepean National Park to explore with various things to do and see. These include the Quarantine Station, Gunners Cottage, Cheviot Hill, Fort Pearce and Fort Nepean. Let’s take a look at each of them.

Point Nepean Quarantine Station

The Quarantine Station at Point Nepean National Park operated from the 1850s until 1979 in order to manage infectious diseases within Victoria. Later, it housed a leper colony from 1885 to the 1930s. The buildings which housed the leper colony were burnt down in the 1930s, but there is at least one grave of a Chinese leper patient in the Point Nepean cemetery.  More recently, the buildings here were used to house refugees from Kosovo in 1999.

Point Nepean was chosen as the first permanent quarantine station in Victoria because of its isolation, easy access to shipping, and deep-water anchorage.

Fun fact: The word quarantine comes from the Italian words, quaranta giorni, which means 40 days – the duration of quarantine.

Things to do at Quarantine Station

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Quarantine HospitalThings to do in Point Nepean National Park - Quarantine Administration BuildingThere are 50 heritage-listed buildings which make-up the Quarantine Station. You can enter most of them and see artefacts which date back more than 150 years.

There are at least 14 major buildings and sites to see here and are best visited by following the self-guided walking tour.  Pick up a map from the Information Centre. Look for the one with a yellow flag on the front. This is the universally recognised sign of quarantine which dates back to the 14th century.

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Beach at Quarantine StationThis self-guided walk will take you to the Medical Superintendent’s Quarter, First Class dining hall, Shepherds’s Hut (the oldest surviving building on the Quarantine Station), Badcoe Hall and Library, The Parade Ground (used for marching by Officer Cadets School), Quarantine Station Jetty and Passenger Waiting Room, Disinfecting and Bathing Complex, Hospitals, Administration Building, The Stables (where livestock was kept), The Original Cemetery and Heaton’s Monument, Isolation Fence, Influenza Huts and the Isolation Hospital and Morgue.


Gunners Cottage

Things to do at Gunners Cottage

Gunners Cottage

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Gunners Cottage

Gunners Cottage is a small dwelling that housed military personnel and their families. It was originally located near Fort Pearce but was moved to its current location during the latter half of the 1900s.

Observatory Point and Cattle Jetty

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Observatory Point and Cattle JettyIn 1879, a cattle quarantine facility was built at Observatory Point to prevent the spread of disease to local livestock. The facilities used were later moved to Melbourne Zoo, Coode Island and Spotwood. All that remains is this cattle jetty used that was used to bring the livestock ashore.

Coles Track

Coles Track was established for telegraph services in the 1940s. Today, you can see remnant poles running along the track which carried a telephone line that connected Melbourne with Fort Nepean during World War II.

Point Nepean Cemetery

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Quarantine CemeteryThings to do in Point Nepean National Park - The Original Cemetery and Heaton’s Monument Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Quarantine Station CemeteryAfter to beach erosion caused several graves to be unearthed at the cemetery located at Quarantine Station, the Point Nepean Cemetery was established in 1854. Over 300 souls were buried here through the Park’s history including early settles, quarantine and shipwreck victims and military officers posted here.

Range Area

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - 25 metre firing range used by CadetsLocated on the side of the road is the 25-metre Range Area was used by the Army Officer Cadet School from 1952-1985 to train cadets in firing weapons.

Monash Light

Monash Light was built in 1930 to navigate seagoing vessels. Today, the light tower is used to relay transmission for tidal buoys.


Cheviot Hill

Things to do at Cheviot Hill

Cheviot Hill Battery Observation Post

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Cheviot Hill Battery Observation PostThings to do in Point Nepean National Park - Battery on coastCheviot Hill was named after the SS Cheviot which was shipwrecked here in 1887. At least 35 passengers drowned. Today, you can explore this site which was once a Battery Observation Post with living quarters used in 1942.

Happy Valley

Happy Valley was once the site where engineers and artillery men lived during World War II. The conditions were so miserable that those living here ironically called it “Happy Valley”.

Harold Holt Memorial

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Cheviot Hill Harold Holt MemorialThings to do in Point Nepean National Park - Cheviot BeachIt seems Cheviot Hill is jinxed because on 17 December 1967, Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt went missing in the waters off Cheviot Beach. Holt was granted special permission to swim in the area which was (and still is) closed to the public. Despite an extensive search, his body was never found. He was officially presumed dead on 19 December 1967. In 2005, it was ruled that the 59-year-old accidentally drowned while swimming. All that remains is this memorial overlooking the rugged coastline and fierce waves.


Fort Pearce

Things to do at Fort Pearce

Fort Pearce

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Fort PearceEstablished in 1911, Fort Pearce was designed to take advantage of the 12.5-kilometre firing range of the 6-inch Mark VII guns that were being used in coastal defence batteries at the time. Dummy guns were placed here in 1942 after the area was deemed as being vulnerable to air attacks.

Eagles Nest

Built in 1889, the Eagles Nest is the site of an old gun emplacement and Battery Observation Post. Australia’s largest disappearing gun with a 10-inch diametre barrel was located here.

Pearce Barracks

Facing Port Phillip Bay at the water’s edge, was the site of the Pearce Barracks which provided accommodation for the artillery men who managed and maintained the guns at Fort Pearce during the World War II.


Fort Nepean

Located at the tip of Point Nepean National Park is Fort Nepean, Australia’s best-preserved military fortifications. There is a lot to see here so allow at least 2 hours to explore.

Things to do at Fort Nepean

Upper Barracks and Tracks

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Battery at the tip of Point Nepean National Park overlooking The RipThis elevated area was home to the artillery men stationed at Fort Nepean with some buildings dating back to 1885. All the buildings were demolished in 1958 so all that’s left are trolley tracks used to transport food, ammunition and other supplies around Fort Nepean. 

Tunnels and Gun Emplacements 1-4, 5 and 6

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Network of tunnelsThings to do in Point Nepean National Park - Gun emplacement 5Constructed in 1882, Fort Nepean boasts an extensive network of tunnels which connect the historic gun emplacements. As you approach, the tunnels appear dark but once you enter motion sensor lights turn on lighting the way. 

Parade Ground and Gun Barrels – The First Shots

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Photo of Gun Emplacement from World War IIThings to do in Point Nepean National Park - The Parade Ground and Barrels Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - The First Shots and gun emplacementParade Ground and the gun two barrels are all that remains on this site where daily orders were issued by the Company Sergeant Major.  A little-known fact is that Gun Emplacement 6 was where the British Empire’s first shot of World War I (with Barrel 1489) and Australia’s first shot of World War II (with Barrel 1317) was fired. 

The Engine House

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Stairs towards the Engine RoomsAt the foot of a long staircase from the Parade Ground or via the coastal path is the Engine House which powered the searchlights of Fort Nepean. A coal-fired boiler was used to produce steam for electricity generation. Today, solar energy is used to power the batteries and light up the network of tunnels.

Park Wildlife

Point Nepean National Park is home to hundreds of hectares of native flora and wildlife, including the White-footed Dunnart, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Black Wallaby Hooded Plover and Echidna. Keep an eye out as you explore the park. If you do spot an animal, do not approach or feed them 


Top Tips for visiting Point Nepean National Park

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Unexploded bombs sign

  • Regulations – Dogs, cats and other domestic animals are prohibited. Fires and camping are prohibited. The use of drones is prohibited; this IS a Military Base, after all!
  • Speed limit – If entering with a car, keep to the speed limit (30km/h) at all times as there is a lot of wildlife in the park
  • Keep to the tracks –  Do not jump fences or go off the beaten track. Point Nepean National Park was previously a training base for the Australian Defence Force and unexploded bombs are still in the area. Keep to the road and paved paths at all times as there are unexploded bombs in the area. Various warning signs are located around the park informing you of this danger.
  • Audio guide – Free audio guides are available from the Point Nepean Information Centre.
  • What to bring – There is no cafe at Point Nepean National Park which is why I recommend bringing a packed lunch and water. This is a huge park and you can easily spend a whole day here. You can buy bottled water and ice-cream at the Information Centre. Please take your rubbish with you.
  • Drinking water – There is no drinking water available beyond Gunners Cottage, so be sure to buy some at the Information Centre at Quarantine Station or bring some from home.
  • Toilets – Toilets are located at the Quarantine Station, Gunners Cottage, and Fort Nepean. 
  • What to wear – Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses
  • Swimming – Beach access is not permitted in some areas, so please keep an eye out for signage. As a guide, ocean beach access is prohibited due to conservation efforts and for safety reasons. Swimming at Bay Beach and the Quarantine Station is permitted. However, be aware of strong currents and rips.

How much time do you need at Point Nepean National Park?

Point Nepean is a huge park and depending on what kind of experience you want to have, you can spend as much as an entire day following the trails and visiting all the places listed in this guide or spend 4 hours only visiting the Quarantine Station before heading straight to Fort Nepean via the shuttle bus.

How to get to Point Nepean National Park

By Public Transport

Catch a train from Melbourne to Frankston and then take the 788 bus to Portsea where it stops right outside the entrance to Point Nepean National Park. Plan your journey using www.ptv.vic.gov.au.

By Car

Point Nepean is located 90km from Melbourne. Take the Eastern Freeway (M3), then the Mornington Peninsula Freeway (M11). The Queenscliff to Sorrento passenger ferry operates on the hour from 07:00 to 18:00. 

Getting around Point Nepean National Park

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - View of Point Nepean National Park from Fort NepeanWalk

There are five major self-guided walking/cycling trails around Point Nepean National Park that will ensure you see all the highlights in the park. Pick up a brochure from the Information Centre for a detailed map and points of interest marked. Alternatively, visit the tourism board website for details on walking tracks.

As a guide, to walk to Fort Nepean from the Quarantine Station the distance is 4.5km and will take you about an hour and fifteen minutes one way. The walk from Gunners Cottage is a little shorter at 3km. 

Bike

Things to do in Point Nepean National Park - Walking tracksCover more ground quickly, you can bring your own bike, or hire a bike from the Information Centre located at Quarantine Station. Be sure to return it before closing time. Alternatively, save time and hire your bike here.

Available bikes for hire include electronic bikes, standard bikes, youth tag-alongs and toddler buggies for either half-day (3hrs) or full-day (6hrs). Bike hire includes a helmet and lock on a first-in first-service basis. 

For eBikes, you’ll need to provide ID and a security deposit.

Shuttle

A shuttle bus service runs throughout the park from the front entrance all the way to Point Nepean. Note, that cars are only able to go as far as Gunners Cottage.

Shuttle Bus Timetable

  • A hop on hop off shuttle bus stops at four locations, Front Entrance, Quarantine Station, and Gunners Cottage and Fort Nepean. The service operates from 10.30 to 16.00 daily (extended hours in daylight savings), except for Christmas day. 
  • The shuttle bus runs a limited service to the Front Entrance with pick up at 10:25 and 13:30, and drop off at 13:00 and 16:15 (16:45 during daylight savings).
  • Departure times from Quarantine Station run every 30 minutes from 10:30 to 15:30 (16:00 during daylight savings).
  • Departure times from Fort Nepean run every 30 minutes from 10:45 to 16:00 (16:30 during daylight savings).
  • Departure times from Gunners Cottage are a few minutes after the departure time from the previous stop.
  • Check the timetable at the Information Centre inside the park. 

Shuttle Bus Tickets

  • Daily tickets prices are $12 per adult and $8 per child/concession
  • One-way tickets are not available
  • Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver as you board and are only valid for the day of purchase.
  • Payment can be made by card or cash

Car

  • Cars may enter Point Nepean National Park but can only go as far as Gunners Cottage where you must continue on foot, bike or by shuttle bus.
  • Free parking is available at the Quarantine Station and Gunners Cottage.

Admission

Entry to Point Nepean National Park is free.

Opening Times

  • Point Nepean National Park is open daily. However, vehicle entry is from 08:00-17:00 (18:00 in daylight savings) and can exit at any time. 
  • Pedestrians and cyclists can enter at any time. 
  • The Point Nepean Information Centre is open daily, except Christmas day, 10:00 – 17:00.

Address

Point Nepean National Park, Defence Rd, Portsea VIC 3944, Australia


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A Local's Guide to Point Nepean National Park and Best things to do and Travel tips


Over to you!

Have you been to the Point Nepean National Park? What else would you recommend? Do you have a question? Ask me below! Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

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