The Cape Schanck & Pulpit Rock Walk is one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done in Victoria, and one of the shortest. Just over an hour’s drive south of Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula, Cape Schanck is perfect as a day trip from Melbourne or as part of a weekend on the Mornington Peninsula.
The walk to Pulpit Rock along Cape Schanck is 2.1km , with an elevation gain of 75m and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. It’s short but steep, but has a beautiful payoff. It’s rare to find a walking trail that rewards you with such stunning natural beauty for so little effort!
There are several coastal walks and hikes around Cape Schanck, and in the rest of Mornington Peninsula National Park. This one is probably the shortest but must surely be one of the most rewarding – I haven’t seen anywhere like it in Australia.
The Cape Schanck Walk
The walk is an out & back trail, starting from the Cape Schanck Picnic Area & Carpark. I’d recommend allowing an hour for the walk if you’re going to take photos – the scenery changes around every corner and it’s so diverse and beautiful, I found myself stopping constantly. It’s a short walk, but it is steep. Half of the trail has stairs, the other half is a steep dirt track.
Stop in at Mornington for lunch on the way back to Melbourne, or for more stunning scenery drop past Safety Beach in Dromana on the way home.
Arthurs Seat Eagle
On our way back from Cape Schanck, we stopped briefly by the Arthurs Seat Lookout, which is one of the most popular attractions on the Mornington Peninsula. The view is very beautiful, and I imagine even better from the gondolas zipping up and down the hillside.
Murrays Lookout
There are a few other lookouts along Arthurs Seat Road, such as Franklin Lookout and Murrays Lookout. The lookout has beautiful views over Rosebud and Port Phillip Bay.
Have you been to the Mornington Peninsula? What are your favourite things to do in the area?
Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived & worked in New York City and now live in Melbourne, Australia.
I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.
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