The Mornington Peninsula is one of our favourite spots to visit from Melbourne. We regularly head down in all seasons, but in summer is where The Peninsula really comes into it’s own! Filled with cute coastal towns, great wineries and beautiful beaches, it’s no wonder that it can become very busy in peak season. This holiday traffic can lead to beaches becoming crowded on warm days. However, we have come to your rescue with a few top ‘hidden beaches’ to consider for your Mornington Peninsula road tips and short stays! Our knowledge of these areas has been fostered from time living on The Peninsula, so we would almost consider ourselves ‘locals’. If we have missed any of your favourite hidden beaches please share it in the comments so we can check it out!
9 hidden beaches on the Mornington Peninsula you should visit!
Bushrangers Bay – Flinders
Bushrangers Bay has gained a little popularity in recent years through social media, however it is still a ‘hidden gem’ on the Peninsula. You need to ‘work’ to get there, with a few km walk along a sandy trail. The walk is mostly flat with a little incline/decline at the end. The beach is beautiful, with rockpools found at low tide. However, this beach can be rough with currents and isn’t patrolled. Be careful swimming here, especially if not a strong swimmer. See our Bushrangers Bay guide here!
Birdrock Beach – Mornington
This is a hidden gem! Located close to popular Mt Martha South and Mills Beach Mornington, Birdrock Beach is “hidden” down the cliff. A small wooden staircase winds down the cliff and opens up to a secluded beach. It’s definitely a spot to visit if you want to beat the crowds.
Craigie Beach & Hawker Beach (Mount Martha North-North)
Mount Martha is one of the more popular beaches around (see our guide to the lovely Mt Martha South), however located a few kilometers down the end of the beach is the hidden Craigie Beach & Hawker Beach. There’s little outcrops of sand and lots of spaces to sunbathe on the rocks. You will also have less crowds!
Cairn Beach – Flinders
Another hidden gem in Flinders, Cairn Beach is an excellent spot to watch sunset. The clifftop offers stunning views, which the little beach is calm and has rockpools at low tide. There is a 600m walk down to the beach, and the beach isn’t patrolled, so as always, take care. We recommend taking the camera and heading down for sunset! See our Drone Diaries gallery from Cairn Beach here!
Bridgewater Bay – Blairgowrie
Another ‘local gem’ that has been publicized on social media due to the Blairgowrie jumping rock and rockpools. The beach is typically calm and located on the ‘surf side’ of the peninsula. There is a rockpool and cliff jumping rock here that is quite popular and can be good fun. However, there have been a few recent incidents and injuries here, so make sure you check the depth and as always, jump at your own risk.
Safety Beach
The coastline between Safety Beach and McCrae (including Dromana) is truly beautiful! While the whole peninsula gets busy in summer, we have found the stretch of beach between Dromana and the Safety Beach marina is definitely ‘less busy’. The water is calm, clear and the sand is bright white. A great spot to visit for a beach day!
The Pillars – Mount Martha
This ‘Euro-style’ rocky outcrop in Mt Martha is definitely unique and worth visiting. Think crystal clear water and great cliff jumping opportunities! However, it’s no longer the hidden gem it was 10 years ago. Social media has caused a large surge in popularity, and the infrastructure here struggles to match demand. There is no parking (need to park a way back on side streets) and no facilities (no bins, toilets etc). Additionally, the climb up/down the cliff can be a little steep so take care. As a former local on the peninsula, it is sad to see rubbish left here by people visiting on day trips, so may sure you enjoy the beauty but take your things with you when you leave! Additionally, take care crossing the busy main road and with cliff jumping if you decide to do so. See our Drone Diaries gallery from The Pillars here!
Somers Beach
Another calm little gem located away from the chaos is Somers Beach. While lacking the ‘star factor’ of beaches on the Port Phillip Bay side, Somers Beach is a great spot to spend a few hours relaxing. Head to the local Somers General Store for a great coffee!
Fishermans Beach – Mornington
Another favourite of ours on the Peninsula is Fishermans Beach. Located near Main St Mornington, this beach is often overlooked for more popular neighbours of Mills Beach and Mt Martha South. With cute beach boxes and calm waters, it’s a great spot to check out in summer!
Want to see some more Mornington Peninsula guides?
- Complete Mornington Peninsula day trips guide
- Our guide to Mt Martha beach – one of the best in Victoria
- A recent day trip to Mornington Peninsula with top picks
- Drone diaries at the insta-famous Pillars in Mt Martha
- Day trip to the beautiful Bushrangers Bay
- See some great Mornington Peninsula accommodation options for a short stay!
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Caralee
February 18, 2024 at 11:22 am
Hey very nice blog!
2CupsofTravel
February 27, 2024 at 4:43 pm
Thank you Caralee! 🙂
Leora
February 18, 2024 at 1:51 pm
I could not refrain from commenting. Well written!
2CupsofTravel
February 27, 2024 at 4:43 pm
Much appreciated! Thank you!