The Bay Trail (Safety Beach to Portsea)
Home | Mornington Peninsula, VIC
Overview
Highlights
The 30km Mornington Peninsula Bay Trail extends along the Port Phillip coast from Safety Beach to Portsea. This shared pathway offer walkers and cyclists great views as it winds its way along the foreshore reserve and is flanked by the beautiful sandy bay beaches and clear waters of Port Phillip. The township of Dromana was proclaimed in 1861 and was well established as a seaside resort by 1881. It’s not hard to imagine the pier busy with steamships taking holiday makers and produce to and from Melbourne.
The gravelled wide pathway offers an easy walk along the Dromana coast to the rocky cutting of Anthonys Nose - where Arthurs Seat falls steeply into the sea. The path continues through the boat ramp car park and then through the campsites and foreshore reserve through McCrae and past the tallest lighthouse in Port Phillip. It continues to wind through the tall banksia and tea tree with campsites on one side and the beach on the other to the pier at Rosebud (named after a shipwreck!)
On through the foreshore of Capel Sound with more campsites to the town of Rye where, at the base of the aptly named Whitecliffs, is an historic lime kiln that tells the story of how local limestone was mined and turned into lime to help create many of the buildings in Melbourne. Through the Moonah trees and back to the foreshore of Blairgowrie, past the picturesque yacht club marina to Sullivan Bay and the Collins First Settlement site. It was here in 1803 the first official European settlement of Victoria was established. From here it’s on to Sorrento and up the hill behind the pier where the tram tracks built in 1889 for the Sorrento Tramway Company can still be seen.
On through the Sorrento Park with its incredible playground and diverging a bit to take in part of the Sorrento Portsea Artists Trail known as Millionaires Walk between Lentell Avenue and Point King Road. Finish up and refresh at a favourite ‘watering hole’ in Portsea village.
Activities
- Bush walking / hiking
- Sight-seeing
- Camping
- Swimming
Facilities
- Walking trail - 30km, grade 1
- Picnic area
- Barbecues
- Car park
- Toilets
Important Information
Guidelines
- Always do some research before heading out for your journey. Visit the parks website for up to date information on the current conditions.
- Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.
- Wear suitable footwear and ensure to bring a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the elements.
- Plan ahead and ensure to take enough food and water for your journey.
- Always stay on the marked tracks where possible. Never climb fences, they are there for your own safety.
- Please consider the environment, take your rubbish with you or place in the bins provided. We want to ensure these beautiful places are still here for our future generations to enjoy.
- Ensure to let a responsible adult know of your plans and report back into them once you have finished exploring for the day.
- National park and camping fees may apply, check the parks website for bookings and further details.
Photo credits: Visit Mornington Peninsula
Location & Supplier
The Bay Trail (Safety Beach to Portsea)
Address: 191 Marine Drive, Safety Beach, Victoria 3936
