Discover the Best Walks in the Mornington Peninsula

With its cliff-fringed bays, wild surf beaches, and hinterland valleys dotted with vineyards, the Mornington Peninsula is a place best uncovered step by step. The region is laced with trails that promise more than just fresh air: they deliver history, gardens, and the kind of cinematic coastal views that stop you in your tracks.

Some walks are brief enough to fit between brunch and a winery tasting; others unfold over hours, leading you deep into landscapes where the city feels a world away. From gentle seaside strolls to leg-stretching treks across national parks, every trail tells its own story. Lace up, pack a picnic, and let the Peninsula reveal itself at walking pace.

Bushrangers Bay Walk

Starting from Cape Schanck, this walk unfolds like a film reel: wind-battered clifftops, ocean views stretching forever, and finally the secluded cove of Bushrangers Bay. Hemmed in by basalt cliffs, the beach feels both wild and protective, with waves crashing against jagged rocks in a constant soundtrack. The trail’s gentle ups and downs make it accessible, though the last descent to the sand is steep. Time your visit for late afternoon light and you’ll see the cliffs glow amber.

Trail notes: 6 km return. 2 hours. Moderate.

Millionaires’ Walk

This short but spectacular clifftop path threads between Sorrento and Portsea, offering a voyeur’s glimpse of grand estates while opening onto wide panoramas of Port Phillip Bay. The contrast is delicious: sculpted lawns and private jetties on one side, untamed coastal beauty on the other. It’s an easy stroll but one that feels indulgent, as though you’ve been given access to the Peninsula’s most coveted views. Pack a coffee and wander slowly — this is a walk to savour.

Trail notes: 1.5 km one way. 45 minutes. Easy

Quarantine Station Walk

History and scenery entwine on this gentle trail within Point Nepean National Park. The Quarantine Station dates back to 1852, when new arrivals to Australia were housed here in a self-contained village of hospitals, dormitories and a disinfecting complex. Today, its heritage buildings remain scattered across sweeping lawns that roll down to the bay. As you wander between weathered facades and eucalyptus groves, the view stretches endlessly over blue water — a reminder of both hardship and hope in Australia’s past.

Trail notes: 2 km loop. 45 minutes. Easy

Coppins Track (Sorrento to Pearce’s Beach)

Running along the Back Beach cliffs between Sorrento and Diamond Bay, Coppins Track feels like a front-row seat to the wild Bass Strait. Expect windswept headlands, crashing surf, seabirds wheeling overhead and, if luck allows, dolphins or migrating whales offshore. Along the way, interpretive signs reveal stories of shipwrecks and local history, while multiple access points make it easy to join for a short wander or commit to the full return walk. It’s a trail that combines theatre and accessibility in equal measure.

Trail notes: 12–15 km return. 4–5 hours. Moderate

Fingal Beach Walk

A coastal ramble near Cape Schanck, this trail begins at the Fingal Picnic Area, complete with tables, barbecues and plenty of grassy space to settle in after your walk. The path winds through tea-tree scrub and sandy heath before opening onto lookouts above rugged cliffs and the secluded stretch of Fingal Beach. At low tide, rock platforms reveal themselves for exploration. It’s a Mornington Peninsula walk best shared with friends, though four-legged companions must sit this one out — dogs aren’t permitted.

Trail notes: 7.2 km return. 2 hours. Moderate

Rabbit Rock Circuit

Found near Blairgowrie, this loop combines coastal drama with a playful namesake. Beginning from the Hughes Road carpark, the trail threads along Coppins and Dogs Head Tracks to Montforts Beach. From there, the shoreline leads to the geological quirks of Rabbit Rock before the return through coastal scrub and woodlands. It’s a charming sampler of Peninsula landscapes, though the tides dictate the show — low tide is essential.

Trail notes: 5.1 km return. 2 hours. Moderate

Baldry’s Long Circuit

Within Mornington Peninsula National Park, Baldry’s is a short but rewarding loop. The path dips and rises through eucalyptus forest, where bracken carpets the ground and the calls of kookaburras punctuate the quiet. Boardwalks carry you over damp gullies, while open stretches reveal grasslands scattered with banksia and blackwood. Compact yet atmospheric, it’s an ideal pre-brunch walk.

Trail notes: 3.9 km loop. 1 hour. Easy

Portsea Surf Beach to London Bridge Lookout

This loop within Point Nepean National Park highlights one of the Peninsula’s most photogenic formations: the natural arch of London Bridge. The path begins from Portsea Surf Beach, climbing dunes and winding through coastal vegetation before arriving at a lookout where sea and stone meet in dramatic fashion. Sweeping views of Bass Strait complete the picture — nature’s own stage set.

Trail notes: 3.7 km return. 1.5 hours. Easy

Cairns Bay Track

A short but striking trail west of Flinders, the Cairns Bay walk descends windswept cliffs to a secluded beach where the waves crash over reefs in a hypnotic rhythm. The salty tang of sea air, the rumble of surf and the raw beauty of the basalt headlands make this walk small in distance but mighty in atmosphere.

Trail notes: 1.9 km return. 40 minutes. Easy

Two Bays Trail

For seasoned hikers, the Peninsula’s longest continuous track is a rite of passage. Spanning from Dromana over Arthurs Seat to Bushrangers Bay, it reveals the region’s full sweep of landscapes — native bushland, open heath, vineyard views, clifftop lookouts and ocean horizons. The terrain shifts constantly, from boardwalks to gravel paths, with enough climbs to keep legs honest. It’s a full-day adventure, best tackled with sturdy shoes, snacks and an appetite for variety.

Trail notes: 28 km one way. 7–8 hours. Hard

Cape Schanck Boardwalk

Short on time? The Cape Schanck Boardwalk condenses the Peninsula’s coastal drama into less than an hour. Wooden steps descend the cliffs toward rock platforms and pounding surf, with the lighthouse keeping watch above. Every turn delivers another postcard view — basalt headlands, tangled vegetation, sea spray in the air. There are plenty of stairs, but the payoff is pure spectacle.

Trail notes: 1.5 km return. 40 minutes. Easy–Moderate

Fort Nepean Walk

History buffs and view seekers alike will love this walk to the tip of Point Nepean. Along the way, you’ll encounter tunnels, gun emplacements and stories of Australia’s coastal defences, all framed by sweeping vistas of Bass Strait and Port Phillip Bay. The track passes Cheviot Beach — infamous as the site of Prime Minister Harold Holt’s disappearance — before ending at the dramatic cliffs of Fort Nepean itself. It’s a journey where history feels vividly present.

Trail notes: 5.6 km return. 2 hours. Easy–Moderate

Arthurs Seat Circuit Walk

This short loop circles the Peninsula’s highest point, weaving through bushland and lookouts with city-to-sea panoramas on clear days. Along the way you’ll find duck ponds, Indigenous gardens and the manicured beauty of Seawind Gardens — perfect for a picnic interlude. Though compact, it captures the essence of Arthurs Seat’s charm, with vistas that stretch all the way to Melbourne.

Trail notes: 1.8 kilometres loop. 45 minutes. Easy

Red Hill Rail Trail

Following the route of a former railway line, this trail links Red Hill to Merricks through vineyards, pine groves and glimpses of Western Port. Once used to transport apples, it now delivers walkers to Merricks General Wine Store — an ideal reward. Gentle gradients and a dog-friendly policy make it popular for families and four-legged companions alike.

Trail notes: 13 kilometres one way. 3–4 hours. Easy–Moderate

Capel Sound Bay Trail

Part of the expansive Bay Trail, this stretch traces the foreshore between Chinamans Creek and Rye. Flat and easy underfoot, it’s lined with colourful bathing boxes and dips in and out of sandy bays. Cafes and shops bracket either end, making it a leisurely option with plenty of pit stops.

Trail notes: 4 kilometres one way. 1 hour. Easy

The Briars

At Mount Martha, The Briars conservation park offers a pocket of wildness amid heritage gardens and homestead charm. Boardwalks cross wetlands alive with birdlife, while longer trails meander through woodland and creek beds. Kangaroos and wallabies often graze nearby, adding to the sense of immersion. It’s a gentle, family-friendly escape that blends nature, history and a touch of farmyard nostalgia.

Trail notes: 0.5–4 kilometres. 30–90 minutes. Easy.

Cape Schanck to Gunnamatta Beach

This coastal route showcases the Peninsula’s raw surf energy. Starting from the lighthouse, the trail threads through heath and dunes before opening onto Gunnamatta’s vast sweep of sand. The soundtrack is relentless surf and wind in the grass, the vibe pure untamed ocean. It’s not for swimming, but for walking it’s exhilarating — a reminder of the Peninsula’s wilder edge.

Trail notes: 10 kilometres return. 3 hours. Moderate

Staying for the weekend after enjoying one of these scenic Mornington Peninsula walks? Book a night or two at one of these unforgettable stays, taste your way through these brilliant wineries or plan a fun girls’ weekend with the help of our action-packed itinerary.

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

10 September 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.