The Trek to Bushrangers Bay Arch
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.
Bushrangers Bay – The Splash Zone
The “splash zone” at Bushrangers Bay, near Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula.
Tech stuff – 15 secs  f/14  ISO100 with an ND400 filter
Bushrangers Bay – The Boiling Ocean
Following are some images from an excursion to the wild coastline at Bushrangers Bay on the Mornington Peninsula.
I highly recommend the 3km hike from the carpark at Cape Schanck lighthouse to Bushrangers Bay. The scenic track follows the coastline along clifftops and through bush.
The best time to visit Bushrangers Bay is at low tide which allows access to the rugged rock formations.
2.5 secs f/8 using an ND400 filter.
4 secs f/8 using an ND400 filter.
Pictured above, my friend Alan lining up his next shot at Bushrangers Bay.
Pulpit Rock at Cape Schanck can be see on the horizon.
A Morning at Bushrangers Bay
Following are some long exposure images from Bushrangers Bay on the Mornington Peninsula.
The bay is accessible via a scenic walking track that begins at the Cape Schanck lighthouse carpark. Allow about an hour each way for the walk and make sure you carry some drinking water. There’s also an alternate walking track that goes from Boneo Road to Bushrangers Bay. Both tracks are about the same length.
The View from Bushrangers Bay
The splendid view from Bushrangers Bay looking west just a few minutes before a drenching downpour.
Cape Schanck’s Pulpit Rock is on the horizon near the center of the image.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Burrabong meets the Bushranger
This image shows the Burrabong Creek meeting the ocean at Bushrangers Bay near Cape Schanck, Victoria.
Bushrangers Bay is a secluded beach located about one hours walk from the Cape Schanck car park.
The walking track winds it’s way through beach scrub, up and down hills including many stairs, and along scenic clifftops.
I would advise anyone taking this track to wear sturdy footwear as the path is shared with aggressive bull ants for much of the way, and of course there’s always a chance of encountering a snake sunning itself. Oh, and don’t forget a bottle of drinking water.
Photography by Jim Worrall 