Historical Sorrento

On Monday October 11, 2010 I visited the coastal town of Sorrento, 70 km SE of Melbourne, on Port Phillip Bay

See the Album for all of the photos of my exploration!

I have included images of several of the interesting information boards along the Foreshore Reserve, and photos from some of the boards.

Some photos show the Steam Tram which operated from 1880 until 1921, on a 2 km 3'6" double-gauge track, linking the Front Beach and Ocean Beach.

This Tram ran along Ocean Beach Rd, and a footbridge at the Pier up to the platform allowed visitors to join the tram after alighting from steamers.

The Tram didnn't operate every day - some days it was replaced by a horsedrawn carriage.

Farnsworth Track and London Bridge - Portsea Coast

The Farnsworth Track runs between London Bridge Carpark and the Portsea Ocean Bridge carpark, in the Mornington Peninsula National Park, 80 km SE of Melbourne.

About 4 km return, it offers spectacular clifftop views of the rugged coast over Bass Strait, extending from Cape Schanck in the SE, to Fort Nepean in the NW.

I hiked this Track on Sunday afternoon May 17 2009, starting at the London Bridge Carpark, then along the ocean beach and dunes, up the long staircase to the eastern end of the Track at Portsea, and back to London Bridge via the clifftop and coastal bushland.

There are two Lookouts along the cliff-top track.

I also did the 2 km (return) beach hike to London Bridge, making a round trip of about 6 km.

The weather was rough, with huge waves, strong winds, and a lot of spray!

The Farnsworth Track was completed in 1987.

See all of the Photos of my trip.

Glorious coastal scenery from Mt St Paul, Sorrento

The Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk extends for 28 km from London Bridge (Portsea) to Cape Schanck.

It offers spectacular views over Bass Strait and the rugged cliffs, with sidetracks/stairways leading to interesting bays, beaches and coves.

On May 10, 2009, I explored a 4 km (return) section of this route, starting at the car park at the St. Paul's Rock carpark, and ending at the Lookout on the summit of Mt. St Paul.

Mt St Paul was discovered and named in 1802 by an early explorer, who also gave his name to nearby St Paul's Rock.

The height of the summit is 40 m above sea level, but the 360 degree views are amazing!

My visit included side trips to Jubilee Point, Diamond Bay Beach, and the Bay of Islands.

Whilst the actual walking distance of this Section is not long, it can be physically demanding as much of it is in sand and dunes.

I have actually completed the entire 28 km (56 km return!) Walk in 2008-2009, and am now revisiting some of the Sectors which offer the greatest photographic, scenic and physical appeal to me.

See the full set of Photos of this visit.

Spectacular coastal views from Coppin's Track, Sorrento

Coppins Track, Sorrento, 4 km return, commemorating the "Father of Sorrento", opened to the public in 1890 in celebration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

George Coppin, who put much energy (and money) into developing Sorrento and promoting it as a holiday destination, established a steamship service connecting Sorrento and Queenscliff and he set up a tramway (drawn by horse and locomotive) from Sorrento to the ocean beach where he built a rotunda and the walking track.

The Track starts at Sorrento Ocean Beach carpark and meanders eastwards through a section of the Mornington Peninsula National Park, along the rugged coastal cliff line, past offshore rock stacks, an ancient Aboriginal midden, sand dunes, coastal vegetation, St Paul's Beach and Jubilee Point to Diamond Bay.

The Track is part of the Great Coastal Walk (28 km) which connects London Bridge and Cape Schanck. The route is denoted by orange markers with blue signs to indicate departure points for circuit tracks to interesting sites. However, east of Rye Beach the landscape tends to be more rugged and the walks are not so well marked. Passage along the walking trail may be blocked at high tide so it is advisable to check tidal patterns before starting.

In all the walk would take most people at least two days to complete but, as there are about 30 access points to the coastal strip (largely from back roads which radiate out from Point Nepean Rd), it is possible to explore any given sub-section.

The journey takes in jagged cliffs, interesting rock formations, tidal rock pools, sand dunes, spectacular views, dense coastal scrub and some well-known, beautiful and rugged beaches such as Blairgowrie, Rye, St Andrews and Gunnamatta. Note, however, that these beaches can be very dangerous. Consequently, swimming and surfing are not encouraged, except at the surf life-saving clubs which operate at Portsea and Gunnamatta in summer. Ocean fishing can be pursued along the coast. If you bring a pair of binoculars you may see, out in Bass Strait, short-tailed shearwaters from September to May and, in winter, giant petrels and albatrosses.

My journey along Coppin's Track was on May 3, 2009, which took in the Rotunda Lookout, St Paul's Beach, and Jubilee Point.

The views were absolutely spectacular!

I have now completed about 90% of the Great Coastal Walk, 52 km return, in several sections, which I started in 2007.

See my full set of Photos (slide show/static) of this spectacular walk!