November 11, 2013
Guest blog from Wallaby Jack and Skippy Photography
A photographic guide for your day trip on a part of the Mornington Peninsula, with highlights, stops, and street references. Approximate times and distances are shown, also toilet facilities.
Starting at Mornington Pier located at the end of Main street, Mornington, a little over one hours drive from Melbourne. Boats and beach huts are worth a shot. On your way from the pier turn right at the roundabout, onto the Esplanade with the old Post Office on the corner. About one minute and the Royal Hotel is on your left.
Your next stop is Mt Martha. 7 km or 8 min drive.
Here there are car parks and toilet blocks on the side of the road, good shots can be taken of the beach and beach huts. At the other end of the beach there is a small car park also from the small bridge will keep your camera busy. There is a short walk around the waters edge. and there is some bird life here.
Your next leg is 14 km to McCrae Light House the first part takes you along a winding road not a good place to stop, and at weekends shared with cyclists, Arthur’s Seat can be seen on your left as you drive along the beach front.
Parking here is ample, we suggest the beach side for your shots of the lighthouse and you can try your skills here, but what ever side you choose it can be a challenge. A stop at Rosebud West Nepean Highway and Burnet St. is 7km (12min) and a little hard to find. At low tide it can be well worth a stop with boats and birds on the sand bar and most times Black Swans can be seen feeding on weed along the foreshore. (a little tight for parking).
The next stop is Sorrento 12km or 12 min. There’s a lot to see here and a lunch break maybe. The foreshore here has a lot of scope once again to get you thinking. Around the Ferry Terminal is a good place to park.
The next stop is not far 1.1 km, or 2 min. – hard to find but not to be missed as you drive towards Portsea, a small church is the land mark. Cars can be left here, and a short walk to your next adventure continue to Lentellal Ave. on your right walk to the end of the street on the left there is a (blue to green looking gate) this is a public walkway along the cliff and should keep you snapping for some time, limited parking here.
On to Portsea and Point Nepean about 6 km 10min after you drive though the entrance keep on the defence road until you reach Gunners Cottage, this stop to us should not be missed with what is left of the old pier dating back to settlement days, you will need to be creative here at low tide. Coles track will take you there 350 m or via Cemetery Walk 400 M. The way out takes you past the Information and Quarantine Centre here you can buy a ticket for a bus ride to the old fort and the heads the area of Point Nepean could take up the best part of a day.
Now head back to Sorrento turn RIGHT into Ocean Beach Road. Total for this 9km or 13min.
We suggest you visit the ocean beach here at the far end of town for coffee and more shots of the area.
As you head back towards Sorrento thinking you have taken a lot of photos, we have two more stops for you just on sunset, at the first round about TURN RIGHT this is the old Melbourne Road follow to the end 9.5km and then Right again this is now Dundas Road 9.5 km Left into Browns Road 2.5 km at the tee intersection 2.2 km you turn Right this is Truemans Road follow this road to Gunnamatta surf beach here you will find many places to park , there is a lot here to get you thinking about the shot you wish to take home surfers, fisherman, horse rider’s at times, rocks to the right, Cape Schanck and the light house at the far end to the left . Total of 22.5 km 22min for this trip).
Not far along Truemans Road as you head back the first big turn (keep alert for this turn) to the Right this is Limestone Road. Right again this is the Rosebud to Flinders Road or Boneo Road 6.2 km 6min on past the National Golf Club turn off on your right, the next turn is to Cape Schanck and Light House a big car park here and toilet block a lot here to see once again a nice challenge to get the light house around sunset one small tip you do not have to walk that far away from the car park to get it…… that will be your last stop with us.
NOTE: December until January is holiday time and advise to keep clear of coastal road as there can be long delays
A little About Us We have lived on the Mornington Peninsula Vic. for some years, and found we had the same interest–Photography. Jack said why don’t you try digital? so my little Kodak2.5 started a long time friendship to this day,and we now share our pictures with the rest of world from our part of the world, Mornington Penenisula Victoria and other parts of Australia.
We hope this guide has been a help to you …
Safe trip home.
Regard’s Roy (Skip) and Jack (Wallaby Jack)
http://brhlodge5.wix.com/wjasphotography
