Best Beaches On The Mornington Peninsula

Dive into the waters of these sandy bay inlets, traverse the heights of clifftops and ride the waves at the wild surf beaches of the Mornington Peninsula.

Each year, Melbourne residents flock to the Mornington Peninsula in the thousands for its stunning coastline and collection of seaside towns. A holiday here will transport you a million miles away from city life, and the best way to ease yourself into the slower pace of life is to find a sandy spot to park yourself on one of its many beaches for the day. Here, find a handy overview of the Mornington Peninsula’s best beaches to help you narrow down your beach hitlist.

Point King, Portsea

Few people spot it, but tucked below Portsea’s mansions is a pretty sandy beach known as Point King. To find it, walk to the end of Point King Road until you reach the hidden path that leads to a set of wooden stairs and make your descent to the beach. On your way back up the stairs you’ll spot a monument commemorating the first hoisting of the Union Jack in 1802. This marks the date when the British first took possession of Port Phillip Bay, originally known as Boon Wurrung/Bunurong country to the traditional owners of the land. Don’t miss the cliff-top Millionaires Walk for a peek at the better homes and gardens of the Portsea Mansions above the beach.

Point King is a pretty sandy beach tucked below Portsea’s mansions.Point King Beach (Image: Visit Victoria)

Mount Martha and The Pillars

The white sands of Mount Martha mark the beginning of the Mornington Peninsula beaches. Lined with multi-coloured bathing boxes (and price tags that would make you wince) take a stroll along the calm, protected shores under the backdrop of Martha Cliff. At two kilometres in length, this is one of the longer beaches in the ‘ninch – divided into two halves by Balcombe Creek mouth. On colder days, the beach is just as marvellous to enjoy from the car thanks to the stunning views out over the water, and a drive that is reminiscent of the Great Pacific Drive’s twists and turns. The Pillars of Mount Martha have become an Instagram hotspot over the years; reminiscent of a tiny Italian beach with clifftop rocks jutting out over the bay. Unfortunately, clifftop erosion has made it unsafe to venture down to the cliffs and warning signs have since been erected. Play it safe and visit the Pillars via boat to soak up those Italian beach vibes from the water.

the Mount Martha Pillars — Due to clifftop erosion, The Pillars at Mount Martha are now best enjoyed from the safety of a boat.

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Mothers Beach, Mornington

There are many lovely beaches to choose from within the sheltered waters of Port Phillip Bay, but Mother’s Beach in Mornington is definitely one where you can avoid large crowds. The tranquil, calm waters can be accessed via a long pathway from Schnapper Point Drive, or via Shire Hall Beach which is at the eastern end. Once you arrive the day is yours to swim, walk the shores and enjoy a picnic if you’re so inclined. There are rows of colourful beach boxes to marvel at, as well as kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards available for hire.

Safety Beach

Safety Beach is so named for its calm and shallow waters, thanks to its position within a protected cove. I’m a big fan of Safety Beach," confided George Calombaris to us in 2015. “It’s a little gem. I reckon it’s one of the safest and cleanest beaches in the country." In fact, he put his money where his mouth is, too, with the spot also home to his family’s beach house. “If you’re standing on the beach, to your right are the picturesque hills of Mt Martha and if you look south, you look into Red Hill and its beautiful wineries. I love it dearly – the whole area also has great energy because there are a lot of artisans and a creative community. “And only an hour from Melbourne with the Peninsula link," he adds.

Sorrento and Portsea Back Beaches

For wilder ocean beaches along the rugged, southern coastline of the peninsula, check out Sorrento and/or Portsea Back Beaches for bodyboarding, surfing and coastal walking. Both beaches are patrolled on summer weekends and holidays. They are about 10 minutes’ drive from each other, and surfing conditions vary based on the winds of the day. On high-wind days, precarious environments can make the water a bit how ya goin’ for novices. If you aren’t sure where you stand, wait in line at a local café and listen for someone to confirm that “it’s a back beach day". Facilities at Sorrento Back are minimal, however a recent refurbishment has made the Portsea SLSC the place to be on long summer days. The multi-million dollar clubhouse is perched on a clifftop overlooking the sand; stop for a burger and a sundowner.

Sorrento Back Beach — Portsea Back Beach is for surfers in search of wilder waters. (Image: Visit Victoria)

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Number 16, Rye

We are hoping we don’t get any locals coming after us for including Number 16 in this list. The beach is delightfully secluded; find it sandwiched between Diamond Bay and Rye Back Beach. Alongside barrelled waters primed for surfing, Number 16 is full of rock pools to swim in, hidden caves to explore and trickling waterfalls fed by the waves. Make sure you stop to take a photo of “Dragon Head Rock" if you’re a budding photographer.

Make sure you stop to take a photo of Dragon Head Rock.

Fossil Beach, Mornington

This is not the sandy stretch paradise you might expect from the Mornington Peninsula. Instead, Fossil Beach offers budding geologists a picturesque limestone cliff-lined walk packed with history and natural wonderment. In 1845, geologist A.R.C. Selwyn reported a multitude of fossils in the limestone cliffs along a stretch of Rocky Bay Beach between Mornington and Mount Martha. They showed evidence of Australian sea life from 10-15 million years ago and have since attracted a multitude of aficionados. Visitors are encouraged to complete a sign-posted walk that indicates sites of significance regarding the original Aboriginal inhabitants and the first European settlers. The beach is located within the Fossil Beach Geological Reserve.

Bridgewater Bay and Blairgowrie Jumping Rock

On the ocean side of the peninsula, the natural amphitheatre of Bridgewater Bay provides a sheltered solace from the neighbouring back beach winds. Additionally, the limestone rock formations and the countless rockpools provide another main drawcard. The most popular of the bunch is known as the Blairworie Jumping Rock. This tiered rock features three jump spots increasing in height up to seven metres. Daredevils will line up to complete this freefall jump, landing into a three-metre deep rockpool, which stays full regardless of the tide. Enter at your own risk.

Bridgewater Bay Mornington Peninsula — Set eyes on the picturesque beauty of the natural amphitheatre at Bridgewater Bay.

Read our guide to the best places to stay on the Mornington Peninsula.

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Victoria’s sweeping landscapes hold stories far older than any road map can trace – stories etched into stone, sung through generations and woven into every bend of river and rise of hill. From the lava flows of Budj Bim to the ancient middens of Moyjil/Point Ritchie and the volcanic crater of Tower Hill, the state is home to some of the most significant First Peoples cultural sites in Australia. These places, along with other immersive experiences, offer not only a window into a 60,000-year legacy, but a profound way of understanding Country itself. As more travellers seek connection over checklists, guided tours by Traditional Owners offer respectful, unforgettable insights into a living culture that continues to shape the land and the people who walk it.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Venture beyond the surf and sand of the Great Ocean Road to discover a deeper story etched into the volcanic landscape. At Budj Bim, ancient aquaculture channels built by the Gunditjmara people to trap, store and harvest kooyang (short-finned eel) reveal one of the world’s oldest living cultures. While you’re in the area, head over to the state-of-the-art Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, where you can observe the eels in a special tank, wander the shores of Tae Rak (Lake Condah), and enjoy a bite at the Bush Tucker Cafe. Also nearby is Tower Hill, a dormant volcano reborn as a wildlife reserve, offering trails through bushland teeming with emus and koalas.

eel tank — The kooyang (eel) tank at Tae Rak. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Dumawul walkingtour — Guests are guided through Kooyoora State Park on the Dumawul walking tour. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Step into a timeless landscape with Dumawul’s guided tour through Kooyoora State Park, around an hour’s drive west of Bendigo in north-central Victoria. Led by Djaara guides, this immersive half-day journey breathes life into Country, weaving together stories, bush tucker and ancient rock art. Known to the Dja Dja Wurrung people as Guyura – the ‘mountain of light’ – this dramatic granite range is rich with cultural and spiritual significance. The adventure begins with a meet-up at the Bridgewater Hotel on the banks of the Loddon River, before guests are welcomed onto Country with a traditional Smoking Ceremony – a powerful ritual that honours ancestors and cleanses those who walk the land. From there, it’s a gentle wander through rugged outcrops and open bushland, with sweeping vistas unfolding at every turn. Along the way, guides share their knowledge of how the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples have cared for and adapted with this land for generations, offering a rare and moving window into an ancient way of life that continues to thrive today.

Kooyoora walking tour — Knowledge of the Dja Dja Wurrung is shared on the trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Kingfisher Cruises

Glide quietly through the Barmah-Millewa forest – the nation’s largest river red gum ecosystem – on a scenic journey along the Murray River and into the Barmah Lakes with Kingfisher Cruises. Led by passionate guides who share stories of the cultural significance of this ancient landscape, these cruises reveal the stories, totems and traditional knowledge of the Yorta Yorta people. As you navigate narrow waterways and spot native birds, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how First Peoples have lived in harmony with this floodplain for tens of thousands of years. It’s a gentle, immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression – one where every bend in the river carries echoes of culture, connection and Country.

wawa biik

Exploring Nagambie with Taungurung leaders. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Translating to ‘hello, Country’ in the language of the First Nations People and Custodians of the rivers and mountains of Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, wawa biik guides a range of authentic and deeply immersive experiences. Leaving from either Nagambie or Euroa, the tours are woven with ancient stories of the Taungurung, telling how a sustained connection and responsibility ensures the continued health of biik – benefitting the people, animals and plants that live in and around the Goulburn River. During the wawa Nagambie experience, guests participate in a Welcome Smoking Ceremony, and enjoy lunch and conversation with two Taungurung leaders as they cruise through the wetlands of tabilk-tabilk (place of many waterholes). The 4.5-hour tour begins at Tahbilk Winery, which is set in the wetlands of Nagambie on Taungurung Country and collaborates with Taungurung Elders to share knowledge of biik.

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Cape Conran on the Bataluk Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The Bataluk Cultural Trail winds through East Gippsland like a thread stitching past to present, tracing the deep connection between the Gunaikurnai people and their land. Starting at the Knob Reserve in Stratford, visitors walk among scarred trees and ancient stone tools once used for survival and ceremony. At the Den of Nargun near Mitchell River, the earth holds stories of women’s sacred spaces, cloaked in myth and legend. Further along, Legend Rock at Metung tells of greed and consequence, its surface etched with ancient lore. At Cape Conran, shell middens lie scattered like breadcrumbs of history – 10,000 years of gatherings, stories and saltwater songs still echoing in the wind.

Healesville Sanctuary

Set on the historic grounds of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, Healesville Sanctuary honours the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation through immersive storytelling and connection to Country. Along Wurundjeri Walk, visitors are invited to reflect on the land’s rich First Peoples history, with native plants revealing their traditional uses. Wurundjeri Elder and educator Murrundindi shares culture in-person with the Wominjeka Aboriginal Cultural Experience every Sunday, and most days during Victorian school holidays. Murrundindi’s smoking ceremonies, storytelling and bush tucker knowledge reveal the sacred relationship between people, animals and the environment. Bird-lovers can’t miss the incredible Spirits of the Sky show featuring native birds daily at 12pm and 3pm.

The Grampians

Known as Gariwerd to Traditional Owners, the Grampians is a place of immense cultural and spiritual significance. This rugged landscape holds more than 80 per cent of Victoria’s known First Peoples rock art, offering a powerful window into the region’s deep heritage. Visitors can respectfully explore five remarkable rock art sites: Billimina and Ngamadjidj in the Wartook Valley, Manja Shelter near Hamilton, Gulgurn Manja shelter near Laharum, and the Bunjil Shelter near Stawell, where the creator spirit is depicted. Each site tells a unique story of connection to Country, shared through ancient handprints, dancing figures and Dreaming narratives etched into stone.

The best beaches on the Mornington Peninsula you can’t miss

Dive into the waters of these sandy bay inlets, traverse the heights of clifftops and ride the waves at the wild surf beaches of the Mornington Peninsula.

Point King, Portsea

Mount Martha and The Pillars

Mothers Beach, Mornington

Safety Beach

Sorrento and Portsea Back Beaches

Number 16, Rye

Fossil Beach, Mornington

Bridgewater Bay and Blairgowrie Jumping Rock

8 reasons locals will tell you the Mornington Peninsula is incredible in winter

This abandoned coastal fort in Vic finally unlocked its underground tunnels

7 reasons to book a long weekend on the Mornington Peninsula

This is Mornington Peninsula’s most indulgent itinerary

Unforgettable First Peoples tours and experiences in Victoria

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Kingfisher Cruises

wawa biik

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Healesville Sanctuary

The Grampians

Dive into the waters of these sandy bay inlets, traverse the heights of clifftops and ride the waves at the wild surf beaches of the Mornington Peninsula.

Point King, Portsea

Mount Martha and The Pillars

AI Prompt

Mothers Beach, Mornington

Safety Beach

Sorrento and Portsea Back Beaches

Number 16, Rye

Fossil Beach, Mornington

Bridgewater Bay and Blairgowrie Jumping Rock

8 reasons locals will tell you the Mornington Peninsula is incredible in winter

This abandoned coastal fort in Vic finally unlocked its underground tunnels

7 reasons to book a long weekend on the Mornington Peninsula

This is Mornington Peninsula’s most indulgent itinerary

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Kingfisher Cruises

wawa biik

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Healesville Sanctuary

The Grampians

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.