Point Cook Coastal Park

Mornington Peninsula NationalPark

CapeSchanck

Untilthe1970s,theCapeSchanckareasufferedfromoveruse;unrestrictedaccesswashasteningerosionandfacilitieswereinadequatewhentheformerNationalParksServicebegantomanagetheareaaspartoftheCapeSchanckCoastalPark.TodayitismanagedbyParksVictoriaaspartoftheMorningtonPeninsulaNationalParkandextensiveworkhas goneintorehabilitatingthearea.Mainattractionsarethelight-station,boardwalktotherockplatformandspectacularoceanviewsfromtheheadlands.

Howtogetthere

TheMornington PeninsulaNational Parkis90 kilometressouth ofMelbourne.The easternpartofthepark, including Cape Schanck,canbe reached from Boneo(Rosebud-Flinders) Road.

Thingstoseeanddo

Sincetheearly 1980s,theVictorian Governmenthasdevotedresourcesto protecting thecapeand improving visitorfacilities. Eroded areashave beenthatched forprotection and revegetatedwith local plants, and timber stepsandboardwalksbuilt to provideaccesstothe beachand rockplatform.In December 1988,theareabecamepartofthe nationalpark.

Enjoyexploringtheareabutpleasekeep tothe tracks tominimisedamageto the fragile coastal vegetation,which hastobattlesaltspray, strong winds anderodingsoil. Asmall kiosk operates andfeesapplyforentryintothe light-station precinct.

The area has4 popular placesofinterest:

1.The Cape

Followthewalkingtrack fromthe kiosktowards the cape.Thisshortcircuit walk takesvisitors to the start ofthewoodenstaircaseandboardwalk which descendstothepebblebeachandrock platform.Severallookouts provide spectacular views overthe geologicalformationscalled PulpitRockandtheDevils Desk,whichwere createdby volcanicactivityover millions of years.Please takecareontherock platformaslarge unexpected wavesmaywashacross therocks.

2.Cape SchanckLight-station

Thislight-station includesalighthouse,museum and formerlighthouse keeper’sresidence.The buildings were constructedfrom1859 andarean

excellentexample ofthearchitectureofthe day.Siteentryfees applyforthe lightstationprecinct,including themuseumandgrounds. Guided tours are held daily(feesapply). Overnightaccommodation isavailableintheresidences.Book by phoning1300885259.

3.BushrangersBay

Followthe2.6km BushrangersBay Track from the carparkto seesomeofthebestcoastalscenery nearMelbourne.Thissectionof thepark was purchased fromabuttingfarmsin 1977. The track finishesatbeautiful Bushrangers Bay,asandy beach surroundedbybasaltcliffs. Swimmingis hazardous attheunpatrolledbeachduetostrong ripsandlarge waves. Aguideto thisnature walk is availableat the kioskforasmallfee.

An extensiontothe track, along MainCreek,is partofthe Two BaysWalkingTrack and leadsto Boneo Roadcar parkandpicnicarea (2.5km).This trackprovides fineviewsand passesthrough shadyBanksiagrovesbeforecontinuing northwards acrossthe roadand throughstandsofEucalyptandBanksiatowardsGreens Bush (10km).

4.FingalPicnicAreaandFingalBeach Enjoya picnicin thepeacefulFingalPicnic Area located2km north ofthecape.Electricbarbecues,

toilets,tablesandaballgamesareaareprovided.

This areawas subdividedfor housing but was re- purchased bythe governmentfrom 1974to1977. Walkingtrackslead tonearbylookouts with spectacularviews ofbasaltcliffs andFingal Beach which isexposed at lowtide. The returnwalk is 3kmandaccesstothebeach is viaasteep staircase whichmay not besuitableforvisitors with lowmobility.A longer5kmwalk tothe northern Gunnamatta SurfBeachisalso available fromthe Fingal Picnic Area.

Kangaroo ViewingArea

ArthursSeat

CapeSchanckArea WalkingTracks

MelwayMap258

3.5km

Main CreekPicnic Area

LEGEND

WalkingTracks Lookout

Barbecues

Kiosk

Information

UpdatedNov2011