Mornington Peninsula National Park, Nature reserve in Mornington Peninsula, Australia
Mornington Peninsula National Park is a protected reserve extending along the coast south of Melbourne from Sorrento to Cape Schanck, encompassing a range of distinct landscapes. The park contains coastal cliffs, wetland areas, sandy beaches, and woodlands of native banksia trees that define the character of this peninsula.
The park was officially established in 1975 by Parks Victoria to protect the natural environment and ecological balance of the region. This designation came as conservation efforts grew across Australia to preserve coastal areas from further development.
The Boonwurrung people have connections to these lands that stretch back through countless generations, with their knowledge of the coastal and woodland ecosystems remaining part of the place today. Visitors encounter evidence of this heritage throughout the park in place names and interpretive information about traditional ways of living.
The park is accessed through several entry points with marked walking trails of varying length suitable for different abilities and time commitments. Parking areas are available at main access points, and informational signage throughout the reserve helps visitors understand the environment they are exploring.
Beneath the park's waters lie seahorse colonies and productive fish breeding grounds that make it an unusually rich marine environment. This hidden underwater world contrasts sharply with inland areas where ground-dwelling marsupials including bandicoots and wallabies roam.
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