Distance: 14 Km | Duration: 5 Hrs | Grade: Grade 3 | Rating: | Style: Return
About the Walk
Overview
A spectacular cliff top walk with views of Port Philip Bay, Bass Strait and the Sorrento and Blairgowrie<br /> areas. It includes some sandy tracks through shady tea-tree. The walk follows a number of short<br /> diversions to view headlands and several small bays.
The Walk in Detail
This walk follows sections of the Coastal Walk: the main through track is identified on signage by circular Hooded Plover symbols and orange arrows; blue arrows indicate local circuit walks.
Starting at Sorrento Ocean beach, behind the All Smiles Café, head SE towards Diamond Bay. This section of track, known as Coppins Track, winds along the cliff tops, following sections of the original 1800s limestone paved footpath. Follow the track to St Pauls Beach and its fossilised sand dunes, and on to the scenic Jubilee Point detour. Back on the main track once again, continue to Diamond Bay, with views of the Bay of Islands. East of Diamond Bay, the track is known as Lifesaving Track. A circuit walk (blue arrows) climbs to historic St Pauls Lookout, a strategic observation site for early settlers. Have morning tea here.
Continue towards Koonya Ocean Beach car park (toilet stop) and then to Spray Point, a headland with spectacular views, which can be accessed either from the SE end of Koonya Beach or the inland track. Then return to the main track, following it over Kerferd Hill. Using the inland circuit track, skirt Bridgewater Bay, eventually approaching it from the eastern end. The bay's intriguing rock pools can be accessed via a steep staircase. Have lunch here.
After lunch, return to Sorrento Ocean Beach along the Coastal Walk, omitting the detours you took on the outward leg.
Getting There
From Wallaces Rd, turn left into Nepean Hwy. At roundabout, turn right on C788/B110 for 1.5km, then turn left onto Mornington Peninsula Fwy M11. Follow the signs to Sorrento (using Boneo Rd, Eastbourne Rd & Point Nepean Rd). In Sorrento, bend left then go straight ahead, through the shopping centre, following Ocean Beach Rd to the Sorrento Ocean Beach car park. Park on the RHS near the toilets. (Melways 156 J9) Distance: 33.5km
Walk Precautions
Avoid unstable cliffs, dangerous surf and currents