National Park Visitor Guide

Point Nepean is one of ’s most beautiful natural landscapes. During its rich history, it has played an important role in shaping the early settlement, quarantine and defence of Victoria. The park is located at the very tip of the , with outstanding coastal scenery and panoramic views of Bass Strait, the Rip and . Explore the military forts and tunnels and the historic Quarantine Station, view the memorial where Prime Minister Harold Holt went missing and enjoy the coastal environment.

Opening hours Things to see and do Point Nepean National Park is open daily. Vehicles can enter the Quarantine Station – 1km, 30 minutes – 2 hours park 8am–5pm (6pm in January) and exit at any time. Pedestrians and cyclists can enter any time. The Point Nepean Information Centre is open daily, except Christmas day, from 10am to 5pm. Discover the historical precinct with almost 50 heritage listed buildings and artefacts spanning over 150 years. The Quarantine

Getting there Station was established in 1852. From 1952 the buildings housed the Point Nepean is located 90km from . Visitors can catch a Army Officer Cadet School. A brochure and audio tour is available. train from Melbourne to Frankston and then a bus to Portsea, which Wilsons Folly Track – 1.7km, 40 minutes one way stops at the park entrance gate. If driving, take Eastern Freeway (M3), then Mornington Peninsula Freeway (M11). The Queenscliff to Sorrento passenger ferry operates on the hour from 7am to 6pm This walking track links London Bridge in the Mornington Peninsula (with extended summer hours). National Park with Point Nepean. The track is an extension of the long coastal walk from Cape Schanck and passes through pockets of Getting around the park Coastal Banksia stands, Moonah woodland and native grasslands. Visitors can park at the Quarantine Station or at Gunners Cottage. Bay Beach Walk – 2.8km, 1 hour one way Cycling is a great way to discover this vast park. Cycling is permitted in the Quarantine Station (on roads, trails and grassed areas), along Defence Road to , and along Coles Track, which is a This walk along the bay beach can be accessed at the Quarantine shared path. Bicycles are not permitted beyond Fort Pearce. There Station and Observatory Point, via Coles Track. Remnants of the are bike racks at Fort Pearce, Cheviot Hill and the Quarantine former quarantine cattle jetty still exist at Observatory Point, and is Station. Visitors can bring their own bikes. A lock is recommended an ideal location to view the southern end of Port Phillip. when leaving your bike. Helmets must be worn. Range Area Walk – 1.8km, 45 minutes one way Bikes can be hired from the Information Centre. Hire is per day (or part thereof), includes helmet and lock and is on a first‐in first‐ This walk meanders through coastal scrub and a former Rifle Range. service basis. Bikes cannot be taken outside the park or on the Climb the Monash Light tower and take in sweeping views of the shuttle bus, and the child buggy and tag‐along must be used in park and coastline. The Range was used to train army cadets to fire conjunction with Parks Victoria’s hire bikes only. Hire costs are: rifles, grenades and machine guns. The walk links the Quarantine Bikes $31.30, Tag along $15.80 and Buggy (2 toddlers) $31.30. Station and Cheviot Hill, and provides access to Happy Valley Track. An all‐terrain beach wheelchair is available for visitors who are frail Gunners Cottage and Walter Pisterman Heritage or have physical disabilities. The chair can be borrowed for free and Walk – 1km, 45 minutes return booked in advance by contacting the Information Centre. Gunners Cottage is the original Master Gunners house. Explore the A hop on hop off shuttle bus service operates from 10.30am to nearby Point Nepean Cemetery, with burial sites dating back to the 4.00pm daily, except Christmas day, between the Quarantine 1850s. The Walter Pisterman Heritage Walk links to the bay and Station and Fort Nepean. Standard wheelchair access is available, Observatory Point picnic area. There are no barbecues in this area however, some large motorised wheelchairs and the all‐terrain and no drinking water is available beyond Gunners Cottage. wheelchair cannot be taken on the bus. The timetable is available Cheviot Hill and Harold Holt Memorial ‐ 750m, 30min from the Information Centre or at designated stops. Tickets are circuit purchased from the driver using cash or credit card. All day tickets are $10 per adult and $7.50 child/concession. There are no one way Cheviot Hill is the park’s highest point and has World War II fares. Group bookings can be arranged by calling (03) 5986 5666 or fortifications. It overlooks Cheviot Beach, the site where former email [email protected] Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared in December 1967. A memorial is located 500m further along Defence Road. At the base of the hill is the start of the Happy Valley Track, an 800m loop which meanders through an ancient Moonah Woodland and on to the ruins of a World War II camp that housed men stationed at the Cheviot Hill gun posts and Italian prisoners of war.

Parks Victoria Phone 13 1963 www.parks.vic.gov.au Point Nepean National Park

Observatory Point Observatory Point PNP See Fort Nepean map Nepean Bay 501 No swimming K AL W Ticonderoga Bay Point Nepean H C A Sanctuary Zone No beach access BE

TRK PNP 4 COLES

406 TRK Ramp Pearce Barracks AY B Point Nepean Gunners Cottage (Wheelchair access) 3 PNP Eagles Nest COLES cemetary 402 PNP No beach BOGLE RD 102 access D F The Narrows RD No vehicles beyond this point S R RA Police Point PNP Cheviot Hill ON N The Bend CKS K 405 JA L PNP AN Stop DEFENCE Quarantine Station Car Park DS 2 101 RD D VE PNP (The Stables) PNP PNP DEFENCE 404 503 502 Fort Nepean RD DR Quarantine Station & ENCE RD OCHILTREE EF ON BRK D NS D PNP A TRK Point Nepean Information Centre 403 6 5 No beach RANGE Police Point access AREA 25m rifle range PV Shire Park WALK POINT Fort Pearce PNP RD PNP 504 401 DEFENCE No bicycles beyond this point No beach (bike racks available) access Cheviot MONASH Beach Park Entry Harold Holt Cheviot Hill 1 Memorial Monash Light

& Tower

K

R

T

Port Phillip Heads G

N I

K

Marine National Park L

A

W

Unexploded Ordnance Y

(UXO) Risk Area L L

NO ENTRY O

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Wilsons Folly Walking Track No beach S D N R access O S DGE L BRI Coles Track (shared path) I N DO W N O Bay Beach Walk L Walter Pisterman Walk London Bridge Range Area Walk Sierra Nevada Rocks MOR Happy Valley Track 547 MOR MOR 549 548 No beach access

BASS STRAIT Gate (no unauthorised No beach Parking Sheltered area Monument Fishing Unsealed road Point Nepeanaccess National Park Restricted access vehicle access) Point Nepean Information Picnic table Cycling Parks Victoria office Walking track Other park/reserve No access shuttle bus stop Point Nepean Disabled access Lookout Coach parking PNP Esta marker Main road Marine National Park Boat landing zone 101 shuttle bus route Toilets Drinking fountain Stairs Beach access Sealed road No cycling Cycling permitted Underground tunnel www.parks.vic.gov.au Disclaimer: Parks Victoria does not guarantee that this data is without flaw of any kind and therefore disclaims all liability which 0 1 2 Kilometres may arise from you relying on this information. Data source acknowledgements: State Digital Mapbase. The State of Victoria and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries. Cartography by Parks Victoria May 2017 For mobile App search for Avenza PDF Maps Point Nepean National Park Fort Nepean / Quarantine Station

To Police Point ShireTo Police Park Point 1 Medical Superintendent’s Quarters (CO’s House) The Rip 500mShire Park 1 Medical Superintendent’s Quarters (CO’s House) 500m 2 First Class Dining Hall 0 100 metres 2 First Class Dining Hall 3 Shepherd’s Hut 3 Infrared Shepherd’s Hut 4 Bunker Engine 1 Badcoe Hall 1 R 4 Badcoe Hall No public access Gun D R House 5 D S The Parade Ground

Emplacement 7 D 5 S The Parade Ground

N Searchlight Station D A 6 N Quarantine Station Jetty & Passenger Waiting Room L A 6 Quarantine Station Jetty & Passenger Waiting Room K L

N K 7 A N Disinfecting and Bathing Complex R 7 A Disinfecting and Bathing Complex F R F 8 Hospitals (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5) 8 Hospitals (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5) 9 Administration Building No public access 9 Administration Building Gun Emplacement 6 2 10 2 10 The Stables Port Phillip 11 The Original CemeteryCemetery and and Heaton’s Heaton’s Monument Monument H1 H1 12 Former jetty (ruins) 4 12 Isolation FenceFence REMAIN ON TRACK 4 13 AT ALL TIMES 13 Influenza HutsHuts H2H2 JA JA 14 Isolation Hospital and Morgue CC Isolation Hospital and Morgue KS O Port Phillip Heads NS

R Gun Emplacement 5 Marine National Park RD BeachBeach access access (stairs) (stairs) D

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ParadeParade Parade Steep cliffs 99 Ground GroundGround Battery Observation Post Gun Emplacement 1 55 ‘Disappearing Gun’ D R RD E OCH TRE EE Gun Emplacement 4 H3 OCIHLILTR 66 Fort Nepean Gun Emplacement 2 (No access) DANSON DR DANSON DR Upper 10 Barracks 7 10 Site 8 BeachBeach access access (ramp)(ramp) H4

B BOG Steep cliffs OG L LE

E

Burgess Park R

Burgess Park RD 12 D 12 H5 13 H5 13 Port Phillip Heads DEFENCE RD Marine National Park 11 No public access 11

Jarman Oval Jarman Oval 0 200 metres 0 200 metres To Fort Pearce 800m 14 Bass Strait Cheviot Hill 1.8km 14 Cemetery/Gunners Cottage 2.8km Information Centre 5.3km To Coles Track Cemetery/GunnersTo Coles Track Cottage 2.7km FortCemetery/Gunners Nepean 5.2km Cottage 2.7km Fort Nepean 5.2km www.parks.vic.gov.au Disclaimer: Parks Victoria does not guarantee that this data is without flaw of any kind and therefore disclaims all liability which Walking track Tunnel may arise from you relying on this information. Data source acknowledgements: State Digital Mapbase. The State of Victoria and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries. Cartography by Parks Victoria June 2017 For mobile App search for Avenza PDF Maps Stairs Pearce Barracks, Fort Pearce and Eagles Nest – 800m, important cultural place. Extensive shell middens are reminders of their enduring association. 45 minutes Fort Pearce was established in 1911 and designed to take advantage Early settlement of the 6‐inch Mark VII guns being introduced to coastal defence at Point Nepean has evidence of some of the earliest European that time. The Pearce Barracks site is where many of the army settlement in Victoria, including pastoral activities and lime burning. personnel stationed at Point Nepean lived. Eagles Nest was the site Shepherd’s Hut, located in the Quarantine Station, is one of the of ’s largest Disappearing Gun. Explore the fortifications earliest intact limestone buildings in Victoria. Its cellar dates to 1845. and lookouts with stunning views of Bass Strait and Port Phillip. Quarantine Fort Nepean – 1km, 1 ‐2 hours Established in 1852, the Quarantine Station was the major place for quarantine purposes in Victoria until 1979 and closed in 1980. The Located at the very end of the peninsula, Fort Nepean enables site later become home to the Army Officer Cadet School (1952– visitors to step into the boots of the soldiers once posted there. 1985) and the School of Army Health (1985–1998). In 1999, selected Discover a series of military fortifications dating back to the 1880s, buildings were used to accommodate Kosovo refugees. explore the tunnels, forts and gun emplacements. Defence During the late 19th century the government decided that Victoria’s The entrance to Port Phillip was the most heavily forted port in the fertile goldfields needed protection so, thanks to its strategic Southern Hemisphere. There are many Colonial and Commonwealth position, Fort Nepean became an important defence post. structures from 1880s–1940s located around the park. Fort Nepean Numerous military fortifications soon were built, making it one of is considered to be one of the best examples in Australia of a major the most heavily defended harbours in Australia. These battlements fort complex exhibiting the changes in military engineering over the were modified and used until the end of World War ll. The first shot 19th and 20th centuries. of the British Empire in WWI and the first Australian shot of WWlI National Park were fired from Gun Emplacement 6, earning its entry into military After World War II, soldiers were removed from the forts and the history. buildings and fortifcations declared redundant. The area remained Mornington Peninsula Walk closed to the public and used as an occasional firing range and Experience the diversity of the Southern Peninsula on the training ground until 1988 when, as part of the Bicentennial Mornington Peninsula Walk. The walk can be completed in sections celebrations, control of the site was transferred to Victoria, declared or as an approximately 100km continuous walk linking Point Nepean a national park and opened to the public. The Quarantine Station with the Bay Trail, Coastal Walk and the Two Bays Walking Track. became part of the national park in 2009, fulfilling the long term aspirations of the community for future genrations to learn from Point Nepean Information Centre and enjoy one of Victoria’s truly unique landscapes. The Information Centre is located in the Quarantine Station, an easy 180m walk from the main car park. It is open 7 days a week 10am– Caring for the park 5pm, except Christmas Day. Plan your visit here. Bottled water and Help us look after this park by remembering these guidelines: ice‐creams are available to buy, as well as a limited merchandise  Dogs, cats and other domestic animals are prohibited range and bike hire facilities. There are no café facilities.  Fires and camping are prohibited  Remote controlled model planes and drones are prohibited Self‐guided tours  Access to much of the ocean coastline and Marine National Park Audio tours offering an insight into the history and cultural areas is prohibited for conservation and safety reasons significance of the park are available on iPod Nano’s with  Swimming at the bay beach is not advised due to strong currents headphones for daily loan (at no cost) from the Information Centre.  All the plants, animals, historic artefacts and geological features The audio guides can also be downloaded for free onto an MP3 are protected ‐ leave the park as you find it player at www.parks.vic.gov.au in advance of visiting the park. Self‐  Take all rubbish with you when you leave guided brochures are also available in the park for the Quarantine  Portable gas barbecues may be used in the Quarantine Station Station and Fort Nepean areas.  Keep to walking tracks Flora, fauna and marine life  Fishing is permitted from the Quarantine Station shoreline  Boat landing is permitted at designated areas at the Quarantine The remnant flora and fauna of Point Nepean is of very high Station significance. A remote and protected location, it is home to many  Permits are required to carry out organised tours, events, native animals including White‐footed Dunnart, Long‐nosed weddings, and commercial photography and filming activities in Bandicoot, Black Wallaby, Echidna, Singing Honeyeater and Hooded the park. Contact Parks Victoria to find out more. Plover. The park also comprises a large intact area of remnant  Change of Conditions information is available at coastal vegetation. Native plants and vegetation communities www.parks.vic.gov.au – check before you visit include Coastal Moonah Woodland, Coastal Dune Scrub, remnant grasslands and threatened orchids. Be prepared and stay safe Surrounding Point Nepean is Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park Point Nepean National Park is in the Central fire district. Bushfire showcasing a great diversity and abundance of marine flora and safety is a personal responsibility. Anyone entering parks and forests fauna. Its intertidal and subtidal zone are habitat for a variety of fish during the bushfire season needs to stay aware of forecast weather and shellfish, migratory shorebirds, marine invertebrates, dramatic conditions. Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire underwater gorges, colourful sponge gardens, tall kelp forests and Ban at www.emergency.vic.gov.au or call the VicEmergency Hotline sea‐grass beds. on 1800 226 226. History No fires may be lit on Total Fire Ban days. On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days this park will be closed for public safety. Closure signs Aboriginal history will be erected but do not expect an official warning. Check the Point Nepean is part of / Bunurong country. The latest conditions at www.parks.vic.gov.au or by calling 13 1963. For people of the Kulin nation lived on and around this land for over emergency assistance call Triple Zero (000). If there is a green 35,000 years gathering shellfish and other foods along the coastline. emergency marker sign near you, read the information on the The interaction with early settlers and ceremony make it an marker to the operator. 2