Bass Coast Walk

Stretching along Victoria's wild southern coastline, the Bass Coast Walk is a multi-day hiking trail that reveals a dramatic landscape of soaring sea cliffs, secluded beaches, and ancient rock formations. This is one of Australia's great coastal walks, offering a raw, immersive experience where the Southern Ocean crashes against granite boulders and the air smells of salt and eucalyptus. Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a day-walker sampling sections, the Bass Coast Walk delivers a profound sense of place—untamed, elemental, and deeply soothing.

Highlights & What to See

• Wilsons Promontory National Park – The trail's southern anchor, with granite peaks, pristine beaches like Squeaky Beach, and abundant wildlife including wombats and emus.
• Bunurong Marine National Park – Explore fossil-rich cliffs and rock pools at low tide, where you can spot dinosaur footprints preserved in stone.
• Cape Paterson – A laid-back surf town with a dramatic blowhole and the iconic 'Bass Coast' sign; perfect for a rest day.
• Inverloch – A historic seaside village with the famous 'Screw Creek' jetty and excellent coffee at local cafés.
• Anderson Inlet – A serene estuary ideal for birdwatching, kayaking, and spotting black swans and pelicans.
• Kilmunda Falls – A short inland detour to a cascading waterfall surrounded by lush fern gullies.

Suggested Time to Spend

The full Bass Coast Walk spans approximately 100 km and typically takes 5–7 days to complete, allowing for a relaxed pace with time to swim, explore side trails, and savour the coastal views. Many walkers tackle it in sections: a long weekend can cover the stretch from Inverloch to Cape Paterson (2–3 days), while a week gives you the full journey from Wilsons Promontory to San Remo. If you're short on time, the most spectacular day walk is the section between Cape Paterson and the Bunurong Marine Park, a 12 km coastal ramble with breathtaking cliffs and rock platforms.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Phillip Island – Famous for the Penguin Parade, seal colonies, and dramatic coastal scenery; a short drive from San Remo.
• Mornington Peninsula – Hot springs, wineries, and the scenic Peninsula Coastal Walk; easy to combine with a Bass Coast itinerary.
• Wilsons Promontory – Extend your trip into the national park for overnight hikes, summit climbs, and wildlife encounters.
• Gippsland Lakes – A vast network of lakes and wetlands ideal for boating, fishing, and birdwatching, just east of the Bass Coast.
• San Remo – The gateway town with a fishing co-op serving fresh local seafood and a historic bridge to Phillip Island.

Please check official sources for current details.