Cape Schanck Rd | Cape Schanck | VIC

The year 2017 has drawn to a close. For me a year of food, foliage and exploration. In December, I visited some new territory, the Mornington Peninsula region, one hours drive south of Melbourne. A region that has been described as Meditteranean-esque, with its country roads, picturesque and diverse coastlines, seaside villages; vineyards and olive groves. I can absolutely see why that analogy would be used.

As you have probably gathered, I think the Mornington Peninsula has quite a few things going for it. This post, however, I will just be focusing on its coastline, and given the size and diversity, just a portion of it; the rugged and raging Cape Schanck and its boardwalk.

The views throughout the circuit walk (preceding the boardwalk) were stunning. Gorgeous greens of the coastal foliage sweeping down the slopes to the beautiful blue wild waters of the Bass Strait below. But nothing quite prepared me for reaching the wooden staircase of the boardwalk, and the view of the descending staircase to the beach below winding amongst the coastal foliage, the wild turquoise water and what felt like gale-force wind. The intensity of the workout of walking up and down this staircase fighting the wind is not to be sniffed at!

If you’re geologically inclined, you’ll also appreciate Pulpit Rock and Devils Desk. Both the rocky creations of volcanic activity of many moons ago, and best captured from one of the little vantage points along the circuit walk.

Despite the magnificence of mother nature during our trek along this part of the Victorian coastline, there was another element that was adding to the experience for me, and that was the fact that it was still broad daylight….at 7.00pm. For a native Queenslander I found it to be quite the novelty!

Cape Schanck Boardwalk is open seven days, and if you’re there at a reasonable hour (unlike us) you will also be able to get into the nearby Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve. Gates close there at 6pm.