In the Mornington Peninsula National Park, Victoria, Gunnamatta Beach gets famously big waves for surfing. It is potentially dangerous for swimming, however — averaging 113 rescues per year.
Gunnamatta Beach, Victoria, is one of the most attractive beaches in the Mornington Peninsula National Park. In the small town of Fingal near Cape Schanck, Gunnamatta Beach is 3km long and faces south-west. It has a gloriously wild feel to it. The Southern Ocean pounds in, often with big waves.
Surfing at Gunnamatta Beach, Victoria
For surfers, this Mornington Peninsula beach is hugely appealing. The average wave is nearly two metres high at Gunnamatta Beach, as the westerly winds whip up the ocean swell.
There are several surf breaks to tackle along the beach, with one large 150-metre wide surf zone courtesy of a sand bar. Good breaks are found in front of both car parks and down the beach past the surf club.
However, Gunnamatta Beach on the Mornington Peninsula is not the sort of beach for novices. There is a series of strong rips along the beach, plus bonus rips next to the reefs and rocks. The rips intensify around low tide. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can find yourself in serious trouble.
5 top experiences to book on the Mornington Peninsula
- 🐬 See seals, dolphins and sea birds on a 90 minute wildlife cruise from Sorrento.
- 🐨 At the Moonlit Sanctuary, get close to koalas, kangaroos and other cute creatures.
- 🍷 Taste the best local produce and wines at a vineyard with a discovery wine-tasting lunch.
- 🚡 Ride the Arthurs Seat Eagle cable car and take in the stellar views over the coast.
- 🤿 Snorkel with seals and dolphins on a boat trip to Chinamans Hat.
Is it safe to swim at Gunnamatta Beach?
That said, it is possible to swim at Gunnamatta Beach. The Gunnamatta Beach Surf Life Saving Club is at the end of Truemans Road, and provides lifeguards on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from early December to the end of Easter.
Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by the lifeguards, though. This Mornington Peninsula beach is unquestionably hazardous to swim at, and venturing beyond the red and yellow flags is an act of tremendous stupidity.
If coming from Melbourne, it’s a 98km drive. There are two large car parks next to the Surf Life Saving Club.
Other things to do on the Mornington Peninsula include the Arthurs Seat Eagle cable car from Dromana, the St Andrews Beach Brewery and snorkelling with seals from Sorrento.
Gunnamatta Beach: key visitor information
Gunnamatta is rated 8/10 (highly hazardous) by BeachSafe Australia. Always swim between the red and yellow flags during patrol hours. The beach is unpatrolled on weekdays and outside the patrol season.
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| When is Gunnamatta Beach patrolled? | Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from early December to the end of Easter each year. The beach is unpatrolled at all other times. |
| How dangerous is Gunnamatta Beach? | Rated 8/10 (highly hazardous) by BeachSafe Australia. The beach averages 113 rescues per year — the second highest on the Mornington Peninsula, after Portsea Beach. |
| How much does it cost to visit Gunnamatta Beach? | Entry is free. |
| Where is the Gunnamatta Beach car park? | 1000 Truemans Road, Rye (Fingal), Victoria 3939. There are two sealed car parks (First and Second Car Parks) off Truemans Road, combined total of approximately 200 spaces. |
| What facilities are at Gunnamatta Beach? | Two toilet blocks, outdoor showers, and the Gunnamatta Surf Life Saving Club building. First Car Park has wooden stairs to the beach; Second Car Park has a path past the surf club, toilets and showers. |
| Is there parking at Gunnamatta Beach? | Yes. Two sealed car parks with approximately 200 combined spaces. Parking can fill quickly on summer weekends. |
| What does “Gunnamatta” mean? | “Gunnamatta” is an Aboriginal name meaning “beach and sandhills” in the language of the local Bunurong people. |
| Is the sewerage outfall near Gunnamatta Beach a hazard? | The surf break near the pumping station at the northern end of the beach is known to be affected by the nearby sewerage outfall. Surfing or swimming near this point is not recommended. |
| Are dogs allowed at Gunnamatta Beach? | Dogs are not permitted on Gunnamatta Beach. |
| How far is Gunnamatta Beach from Melbourne? | Approximately 98km, around one hour and 30 minutes by car. |
Things to do near Gunnamatta Beach
Cape Schanck Lighthouse – A short drive south, this 1859 lighthouse at the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula offers tours, dramatic clifftop views and a boardwalk to the base of the headland.
St Andrews Beach Brewery – A short drive from Gunnamatta, this craft brewery and restaurant is set in the dunes near St Andrews Beach, offering tastings and meals in a relaxed, natural setting.
Arthurs Seat Eagle – A cable car ride from Dromana, around 20 minutes north of Gunnamatta, offering panoramic views over the peninsula and the bay, with walking trails in Arthurs Seat State Park.
Sorrento snorkelling with seals – Several operators in Sorrento run snorkelling and diving tours to Portsea Hole and Pope’s Eye, where large colonies of Australian fur seals haul out.
Point Nepean National Park – At the northern end of the same national park that contains Gunnamatta, this historic fortification at the tip of the peninsula offers walking tracks, artillery bunkers and ferry connections across the Rip to Queenscliff.
