There are two public walking tracks into Bushrangers Bay that are about the same length. One track starts north-east of the bay at Boneo Road and the other track begins at the Cape Schanck lighthouse carpark, west of the bay.
We chose to walk the track from the Cape Schanck lighthouse carpark because it’s arguably more scenic and there’s a lot more carpark spaces available.
Along the sandy track there’s a couple of opportunities to look back along the coastline towards Pulpit Rock.
Further along the track the native trees enclose the path and form a welcoming tunnel.
After a bit of walking the bush track crosses the Burrabong Creek via a small wooden footbridge. Eventually the bush track opens onto the sandy beach of Bushrangers Bay. Here you’ll encounter Main Creek which cuts through the sandy beach and enters the ocean.
You need to cross the creek. You might get wet feet here depending on how much water is flowing in the creek at the time, and how far you can jump. 🙂
In the photo below, Main Creek cuts through the sandy beach on it’s way to the ocean.
After crossing the creek it’s a short walk to the beautiful rock formations and platforms where at low tide there are lots of small crystal clear rock pools exposed.
At the water’s edge the rock platforms rumble as waves slam into the steep rocky walls.
Looking back from the arch towards Bushrangers Bay, lots of people exploring the platforms and rockpools.
It was a public holiday and very busy.
When we arrived at the arch we found that much of it was in the shade with very bright background elements.
This is problematic from a photography perspective, but anyway you work with what you’re given. 🙂
Photo below – Using a nice wide lens, some ND filtering, and blending 3 exposures I ended up with a keeper that I like.
This image is available to purchase as a print here.
A long exposure image from Pearses Beach in Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula. You can get to Pearses Beach by parking in the carpark at the southern end of Pearse Road in Blairgowrie, and walk a short distance along the sandy walking path to the beach.
A long exposure image from Bridgewater Bay, Blairgowrie, on the Mornington Peninsula.
This photo was taken in harsh daylight conditions, so I opted for a black and white conversion of this one as the prevailing daytime colours added nothing substantial to the image.
Tech stuff – 5 sec, f/13, ISO50, ND500 filter.
As an interesting aside to the image above, if you look carefully you can see two blurry figures on the cliff near top left of frame. The local kids like to jump from this cliff into a rock pool below. Great fun for the brave ones! 🙂
Here’s a zoomed-in view below.
To get to Bridgewater Bay, go to the carpark at the end of St Johns Wood Road, Blairgowrie and follow the sandy walking track south. The best time to visit is at low tide. At high tide all of the rock platforms are submerged and pretty much inaccessible.
Following are a couple of long exposure images from Montforts Beach taken at first light on a cloudy grey dawn. You can access Montforts Beach by parking at the Spray Point Road carpark and following the sandy walking track south. Montforts Beach is signposted along the track. It’s also well worthwhile visiting Spray Point while you’re here.
Tech stuff for the image below- 5 sec, f/11, ISO50.
Technical stuff for the image below – 2.5 secs, f/18, ISO50.
A long exposure image of Sierra Nevada Rock, Portsea.  The rock formation is on Portsea back beach, just a short walk north-west of the London Bridge rock formation. IMPORTANT – It’s only accessible at low tide.
Tech stuff -15 sec, f/14, ISO 100, using an ND400 filter.
A long exposure image of waves crashing over the rocks at Cairns Bay beach near Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula. To access Cairns Bay follow the Tea Tree Creek trail from Boneo Road down to the beach.
Pictured below, a storm rolls across Port Phillip Bay whipping up waves and sending them onto Mornington Peninsula bayside beaches. This image is from the Safety Beach jetty. Tech stuff – 0.8 sec, f/10, ISO400, ND400 filter.
Following the destruction and subsequent rebuilding of this iconic jetty at Sullivan Bay, it took a few visits here for me to catch it in favourable light.
This is a long exposure of 204 seconds on a cloudy day giving nice diffused light.
Last weekend we visited the new jetty at Olivers Hill in Frankston on the Mornington Peninsula.  As the sun dropped down towards the horizon the sky exploded in a way that we really didn’t expect.  It seems that predicting a colourful sunset in Melbourne is a bit like predicting the outcome of a coin toss.  🙂  These are short exposure shots using my phone camera as I left the “big boy”at home.
In the image above, the glowing red “eyes” and silhouette of a small drone can be seen hovering near the top edge towards the left of frame.  The constant buzzing noise from these little buggers can ruin an otherwise tranquil atmosphere, …but hopefully the owner captured some great scenes from up there.  🙂
Another sunrise expedition to the groynes at Balnarring Beach on Western Port Bay. Â This time we visited the straight groynes on the beach near the general store.
The image above was shot just before the sun broke through the clouds on the horizon. Â It’s a 2 second exposure, slightly smoothing the surface details in the water.
Pictured above – A short exposure as the sun breaks through the clouds. Â I liked the way the reflected sun rays were glinting off the waves and the foreground sand.
Pictured above – As the sun rises higher in the sky, one of the groynes becomes beautifully side lit by the warming rays. Â This is a short exposure (1/20 sec f/18 iso100) shot with the camera way down low almost resting on the sand.
Pictured above – Friend Jason preparing for his next shot as the sky lights up.
A couple of dawn shots from the zig-zag groyne at Balnarring Beach on Western Port Bay.
Tech stuff –Â 10 secs, f/8, iso 100, using a 10 stop and 4 stop soft grad ND filter.
For those who might be interested in photographing the groyne, it’s easily accessible. Park at the end of Seawind Rd, Balnarring Beach. It’s a short walk down to the beach then turn right.  There are also a few straight groynes off to the left.
Tech stuff –Â 13 secs, f/8, 10 stopper and 4 stop soft grad.
Picture above – A long exposure image from Montforts beach, Blairgowrie, on the Mornington Peninsula. Â Montforts beach can be accessed from the carpark at the end of Spray Point Road, Blairgowrie. Â Take the path to the left.
Tech stuff – 10 secs f/13 using a 10 stop solid ND filter and a 4 stop soft grad.
Picture above – A long exposure shot of the Bunny Rock’s close companions at Montforts beach.
Tech stuff -30 secs f/11 using a 10 stop solid ND + 4 stop soft grad filter.
Photography by Jim Worrall 