Point Nepean National Park Trails

The Point Nepean National Park is a mix of beautiful landscape and rich history situated at the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula. There is a range of informative and scenic walks visitors can explore, and an array of historic buildings that served various purposes during the early history of the Mornington Peninsula. Point Nepean also offers some of the best views on the Mornington Peninsula across to Queenscliff and out the Port Phillip Bay Heads. Point Nepean is part of Boonwurrung country. The Boonwurrung people lived on and around Point Nepean for thousands of years gathering shellfish and other foods along the coastline. The interaction with early settlers and ceremony make it an important place. Extensive shell middens are reminders of their enduring association. Point Nepean also has evidence of some of the earliest European settlement in Victoria, including pastoral activities and lime burning. Shepherd Hut, located in the Quarantine Station is one of the earliest intact limestone building in Victoria with a cellar that dates back to 1845. The Quarantine Station was established in 1852 and was used for that purpose until 1979. The site later became the home of the Army Officer Cadet School (1952-1985) and the School of Army Health 1985-1998). The entrance to Port Phillip was the most heavily fortified fort in the Southern Hemisphere. There are many Colonial and Commonwealth structures from the 1880's-1940s located about the park. Fort Nepean is considered to be one of the best examples in Australia of a major fort complex exhibiting the changes in military engineering over the 19th and 20th centuries. Surrounding Point Nepean is the Port Philip Heads Marine National Park. Car parking is available at the Quarantine Station or Gunners Cottage (cars are not permitted past this point). A hop on/ hop off bus service is available for a fee.