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This abandoned coastal fort in Vic finally unlocked its underground tunnels

(Credit: Visit Vicoria)

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
Visitors can now explore historic underground tunnels on the Mornington Peninsula.

At the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula sits a fascinating part of Australia’s history. Fort Nepean cuts a dramatic figure on the coastline of Point Nepean National Park, built to defend Melbourne in the First and Second World Wars. It was here that the first shot of the First World War was taken for the British Empire, and Australia’s opening shot of the Second. And now, for the first time since the wars, visitors can also head underground and explore the historic Fort Nepean tunnels.

What’s inside the tunnels?

woman inside Fort Nepean Tunnels
Find old ammunition stores and bomb-proof chambers. (Credit: Lucas Dawson)

Heading underground, visitors will be able to follow a web of narrow corridors carved into limestone, spreading out underneath Fort Nepean. Highlights underground include old ammunition stores and bomb-proof chambers, remnants of its military past.

Above ground, beyond dramatic vistas of the surrounding coastline, visitors can spot historic gun emplacements.

When were the tunnels sealed?

two walkers inside Fort Nepean Tunnels
These tunnels were important military structures. (Credit: Lucas Dawson)

After the Second World War, in 1945, Fort Nepean was permanently sealed and closed to the public after the site’s coastal artillery was removed. The whole area remained closed to the public for another 40-plus years, being used as a restricted military training area.

Then, in 1988, it was opened back up as a public area, as part of Point Nepean National Park. But it’s only now that the labyrinth of underground tunnels has been part of that equation.

Why are they open now?

couple walking out of Fort Nepean Tunnels with copastal views below
Find stunning coastal views from lookout points around the fort. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Work to “remedy structural issues, and conserve and repair concrete structures across the site" has been done as part of the Victorian Government’s Heritage Icons Project. So, essentially, the tunnels are now structurally safe to walk through. The work was aimed at both preserving the history and character of the site while safeguarding its future.

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Getting to Fort Nepean

hikers walking to Fort Nepean tunnels mornington peninsula
Enjoy a short or long walk through Point Nepean National Park. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Getting to the Fort Nepean tunnels does require a walk, but it’s considered one of the most beautiful coastal trails in Victoria. And there are a couple of options.

For a shorter walk, follow the approximately 1.6-kilometre (one-way) Gunner’s Cottage route. Follow this sealed road from Gunners Car Park, passing the historic Point Nepean Cemetery along the way.

Those feeling more energetic can opt for the approximately 16-kilometre (return) pathway from Point Nepean Quarantine Station. From there, follow the signposted coastal and sealed road track through coastal scrub and rugged cliffside scenery. Look out over Phillip Bay, Bass Strait and The Rip, and even plan to stop at dedicated picnic areas along the way.

Don’t want to walk at all? Wait for the hop-on, hop-off shuttle running through the national park. It connects the park entrance with Quarantine Station and Fort Nepean. You can also opt for a combo of shuttle and hiking.

The details

visitors and parks guide looking out from fort nepean
Plan ahead to take the shuttle bus, or follow your own two feet. (Credit: Belinda Van Zanen)

Cost: Entry to Point Nepean National Park is free. Those opting for the shuttle will pay $12 adult, $8 child/concession holder or per person as part of a 15+ person group booking.
Shuttle details: For schedules, ticketing or group bookings, call 1300VENTURA or email bushire@venturabus.com.au
Location: Point Nepean National Park is about a 90-minute drive from Melbourne

Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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8 incredible hikes just outside of Melbourne

    Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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    Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

    Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford, the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

    1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

    Hanging Rock Summit Walk
    Take in views across the Macedon Ranges.

    Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

    2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

    Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout
    Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

    The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

    3. Mount Alexander Traverse

    Mount Alexander Traverse
    Take in the serenity.

    Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

    4. Murmuring Walk

    Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes
    Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

    Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

    5. La Gerche Forest Walk

    La Gerche Forest Walk
    Walk into history on the La Gerche Forest trail.

    Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

    6. Sailors Falls Loop

    Sailors Falls Loop
    See these spectacular falls. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

    7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

    Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

    8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

    Mount Franklin Summit Walk
    Take in forests and waterfalls along the way to the top of Mount Franklin.

    An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

    The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.