Bushrangers Bay Hike on the Mornington Peninsula, Australia

jana meerman bushrangers bay mornington peninsula australia-1

Bushrangers Bay is a gorgeous hike at Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne.

→ Check out my guide to spending a weekend on the Mornington Peninsula!

We're currently living full-time in our campervan, a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter, and exploring Australia, with a plan of "driving the lap" (completing the entire perimeter of the country). I first visited Australia in 2019, following the classic backpacker route, mostly visiting big cities, staying in hostels and traveling by public transport. This time, with the freedom of our campervan, we're trying to hit the lesser known spots and go slower.

My parents joined us for a few weeks of van life between Sydney and the Great Ocean Road near Melbourne. We visited the Mornington Peninsula with them for two days after exploring nearby Phillip Island.

For thousands of years, the Bunurong people have lived on this land.

The first Europeans to settle the Mornington Peninsula arrived in 1803 to establish fruit farms and fishing villages and later, as a popular holiday destination by the seaside.

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How to Get to Bushrangers Bay

Bushrangers Bay is a gorgeous hike at Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula. The hike to Bushrangers Bay begins on Boneo Road.

By car: The best way to reach Cape Schanck is with your own wheels. Driving takes about an hour and a half from Melbourne. There is free parking on Boneo Road where the hike begins.

By guided tour: There is a guided all-day hiking and hot springs tour of the Mornington Peninsula from Melbourne which includes a guided hike of Bushrangers Bay. This would be a great option if you don't have a vehicle or just want to do a guided day tour from Melbourne.

→ Book a guided hiking tour of the Mornington Peninsula.

There is currently no public transport to reach Bushrangers Bay.

Where to Stay Near Bushrangers Bay

Many people will visit the Mornington Peninsula as a day trip from nearby Melbourne, as you can see most of the main attractions in a day. However, if you're looking to spend a bit more time on the peninsula, there are plenty of options.

Hotel: Not traveling by campervan? Driving in a car? Whatever your reason for needing a place to stay, there are some great accommodation options on the Mornington Peninsula to suit any budget.

→ Check out all the accommodation options on the Mornington Peninsula.

Camping: We are driving "the lap" around Australia, exploring the country in our campervan. The best way to find camping spots is to use an app. We use Wikicamps Australia, a cheap app that has every single amenity listed (both free and paid) that you might need on the road. This includes things like where to fill up fresh water, where to dump grey water, where to empty toilets, where to stay, gas stations, information points and also has suggestions for things to do as you go.

→ Download the Wikicamps Australia app.

As there is no free camping on the Mornington Peninsula, we booked into Camerons Bight right on the beach halfway between Sorrento and Blairgowrie. We especially loved that you can simply check in online and show up (no need to arrive by a certain time of day).

Bushrangers Bay Hike Details

When: year-round

Where: the start of this hike begins on Boneo Road in Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula

Difficulty: easy

Length: from the start of the trail on Boneo Road, we hiked a 6km return trail which took us about an hour and a half

Directions: from the parking lot on Boneo Road, go through the gate to start the hike along the Two Bays Inland Track to Bushrangers Bay. Most of the hike is flat along a dirt/sand trail and then there is a set of steps at the end that take you down to the beach. The beach is not safe for swimming due to strong currents and submerged rocks. The best views are right before the steps overlooking the turquoise-coloured bay. We also spotted an echidna, a kangaroo and a snake on the hike!

→ Check out my exact route on Strava!

Bathrooms: no

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Jana Meerman

Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.

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