Away from the beloved seashores of the Mornington Peninsula, on Bunurong Nation in Victoria, Arthurs Seat State Park is just a little slice of bushland that gives one thing for each Explorer.
We Are Explorers acknowledges that this journey is situated on the standard Nation of the <insert title of Aboriginal group> individuals who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for 1000’s of years. We pay our respects to them because the Conventional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was by no means ceded.
Fast Overview
With views of the seashores of Dromana and McCrae from the 314m summit, miles of trails, chairlifts, and even zip traces via the timber, Wonga / Arthurs Seat State Park is a pocket of the Mornington Peninsula that’s positively price exploring. There’s even a pleasant seat on the prime the place you’ll be able to relaxation. Simply don’t inform Arthur you took it.
Learn extra: Keep in mind to depart no hint
About Arthurs Seat State Park
Whether or not you wish to take in the serenity of its bush tracks and gardens or hurtle downhill on mountain bike trails, Arthurs Seat State Park, just a bit over an hour from Melbourne, has one thing for path runners, hikers, thrillseekers, and nature lovers of all types.
When you’re new to this a part of the world, then it may appear counterintuitive to drive down the Mornington Peninsula (a well known seaside vacation spot) solely to move inland and away from the water. However when you begin that climb, you’ll get it.
Arthurs Seat State Park Historical past
Wonga / Arthurs Seat is on the land of the Bunurong individuals of the Kulin nation and has been an necessary assembly place lengthy earlier than European settlers arrived. The trendy title of Arthurs Seat was given by John Murray, who sailed into Port Phillip Bay in 1802, and thought the hilly area resembled Arthur’s Seat in his native Edinburgh.
All through the park, you’ll discover commemorative plaques and cairns telling the historical past of Arthurs Seat. Probably the most noticeable is the Matthew Flinders Cairn, commemorating the primary recorded climb of Arthurs Seat by a European.
Methods to Get to Arthurs Seat State Park
By Automotive
From Melbourne CBD, head south, and take the Mornington Peninsula Freeway all the best way all the way down to Dromana. When you see the indicators, flip off onto Arthurs Seat Highway and start the climb.
This drive takes round 1-1.5 hours relying on whether or not you’re taking the toll roads or not, and is at all times busier in summer time.
By Public Transport
Public transport on the Mornington Peninsula is notoriously fickle. So if you happen to’ve chosen this selection, then you definitely’re not in for a brief journey, however it’s doable.
Catch the prepare to Frankston after which look out for the 788 or 887 bus from the station. Seize the 887 if you happen to can, as a result of it’ll run you straight down the Peninsula Hyperlink with out stopping, and take half the time.
After this two hour journey, get out on the Data Centre in Dromana. From right here, you’ll should shoulder your pack and stroll round 2.5km to the bottom of Wonga / Arthurs Seat. You possibly can both get onto the Two Bays Strolling Path or catch a gondola as much as the summit from there.
The place to Keep at Arthurs Seat State Park
Among the finest locations to camp within the Arthurs Seat State Park neighborhood needs to be the Lightwood Creek Tenting Space on the Two Bays Strolling Path. The websites are free, and though bookings aren’t required, campers are suggested to name Parks Victoria to examine availability. This can be a walk-in campground, so be ready to shoulder your pack and usher in every thing you want with you.
When you’re visiting between October and April and prepared to plan forward, then why not attempt for the Rosebud and McCrae Foreshore Tenting Space? It’s certainly one of Victoria’s hottest tenting spots, and yearly households transfer down for the summer time, so that you’ll must safe your reserving if you happen to plan to remain right here.
For these searching for just a little extra luxurious, you’ll discover ample motels, motels, B&Bs, and fancy resorts to remain at each in and round Arthurs Seat State Park and all through the Mornington Peninsula.
The place to Eat in Arthurs Seat State Park
If you wish to eat with out leaving Arthurs Seat, then you definitely’ll discover BBQs and picnic tables across the summit for a BYO picnic. The outdated cafe is closed, however the Arthurs Seat Eagle cafe guarantees ‘real Aussie’ fare, together with meat pies and chips.
On the foot of Arthurs Seat, Dromana offers you loads of choices for takeaway, consuming in or self-catering. For high quality eating, and a cellar door with views, there’s Major Ridge Property. In order for you the perfect espresso to gas your Arthurs Seat journey, then head to Laneway Espresso in Dromana.
Issues to Do in Arthurs Seat State Park
- Spot the town or stare upon Port Phillip Bay from one of many many lookouts
- Mountain bike over 20km of trails
- Head out on the mountaineering trails
- Go for a run with mates or signal your self up for the gruelling Two Bays Path Run
- Take to the paths at a slower tempo and spot some wildlife
- Get misplaced within the maze or attempt tree browsing at Enchanted Journey
Important Gear for Arthurs Seat State Park
Your packing listing will rely on the adventures you wish to do. It’s a year-round vacation spot so sunscreen and bathers (for the close by seashores) can be wanted in summer time, with beanies and boots wanted for winter.
At a minimal, you’ll need:
- Comfortable footwear for all that strolling
- Water and snacks
- A cellphone or digicam
- First help equipment
Learn extra: Day Hike Packing Record
What it’s Prefer to Go to Arthurs Seat State Park
Mountain climbing in Arthurs Seat State Park
Tear your self away from the views on the most important Arthurs Seat Lookout (I promise, there’ll be extra) and head out on one of many strolling tracks, leaving the hub of exercise on the summit lookouts behind.
The 26km Two Bays Strolling Monitor runs between Dromana and Cape Schanck, and may be joined from numerous factors inside Arthurs Seat State Park.
If you end up on it, you’ll be handled to diversified surroundings. Near the summit, the paths all hug the clifftops, whereas the Two Bays Strolling Monitor meanders away into the forest. Amongst the dry, rattling casuarinas, the path is well-trodden.
On this part, it’s primarily granitic sand and dust, reduce by some stone steps. Comply with the path markers with the blue wren to remain on the observe.
Teams go by with their espresso cups or picnics, making their approach to the numerous lookouts, however as you allow these sea-glimpses behind you would possibly end up wandering silent paths alone, the decision and response of bellbirds your solely firm because the path rises as much as grassy woodland areas, or dips into inexperienced and shady gullies.
A banksia would possibly remind you of the sandy soil beneath, and also you’ll spherical a bend, daylight glinting off water via the timber forward.
The path continues to twist and switch and rise and dive. It’s removed from straight uphill a technique and straight downhill the opposite, till, out of the blue, it’s. You’ll cowl 621m of elevation achieve if you happen to take the entire path, and your calf muscle tissue will comprehend it!
Wildlife in Arthurs Seat State Park
A wattlebird and a loud miner watch me eat. A currawong regards me as I huff and puff my manner alongside the path. Kookaburras refrain on the distant hillsides.
Learn extra: Why Birdwatching Will Enhance Your Subsequent Journey
Arthurs Seat State Park is dwelling to Southern brown bandicoots, koalas, Lace displays, and Wedge-tailed eagles. A number of years in the past a group marketing campaign efficiently protected Wonga / Arthurs Seat from a proposed 94 acre quarry growth, which means the remnant bushland might stay a vital wildlife hall for the area.
When you’re heading as much as Arthurs Seat State Park to look at the sundown, then you definitely’ll wish to be within the grassy open areas of Seawinds Backyard at nightfall when the mobs of Japanese gray kangaroos come out. Simply bear in mind to be careful for those self same roos on the street if you happen to’re driving in or out within the afternoon or night.
Mountain Biking in Arthurs Seat State Park
If mountain biking is your factor, then you definitely’ll quickly be shredding gnarly descents (or no matter it’s you mountain bikers do) on over 20km of trails.
The Arthurs Seat Highway automotive park (referred to as Arthurs Seat MTB Park South Entrance on Google Maps) offers you entry to numerous straightforward, fulfilling trails, together with Loop Path, Wonga, and Slippery Gypsy.
For these seeking out a black run, head to the Boundary Highway automotive park on the Hillview Neighborhood Reserve in Dromana on the base of Wonga / Arthurs Seat. Right here you’ll discover bathrooms, consuming water, a motorcycle upkeep station, and difficult trails just like the competition-level Gunn Barrel.
Extra trailheads may be discovered on the Seawinds Gardens automotive park.
Learn extra: Methods to Be taught to Mountain Bike With out Breaking Your self
Take to the tracks on two wheels… or one. As I wandered into the automotive park to walk one of many widespread sections of trails on a sunny afternoon, a pleasant mountain biker nodded in greeting, and I realised half his bike was lacking. Mountain biking on a unicycle. Apparently it’s a factor.
Path Working in Arthurs Seat State Park
For the path runners, the Two Bays Path Run provides two distances. There’s the 28km run that cuts throughout the Mornington Peninsula from Dromana to Cape Schanck, or the 56km ultramarathon between Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay, for many who simply can’t get sufficient of the path.
Different Actions in Arthurs Seat State Park
For unbelievable views over Port Phillip Bay, catch the Arthurs Seat Eagle to the summit.
This can be a a lot snazzier model of the outdated Arthurs Seat Chairlift that operated between 1960 and 2006, when it was closed because of… effectively, some unlucky questions of safety. However don’t let that put you off. The brand new gondola has been working safely since 2016.
You possibly can catch the Arthurs Seat Eagle one-way from the bottom or the summit, or e book a return journey if you happen to’re utilizing this as your most important manner up and down Wonga / Arthurs Seat. Mountain bikers even have the choice to buy a half or full-day cross.
Nonetheless inside Arthurs Seat State Park, and fewer than a kilometre from the summit automotive park, you’ll discover Enchanted Journey, with enjoyable for the entire household.
Attempt your ability within the large hedge maze, race down the tube slides or have a go at tree browsing – a two-hour excessive ropes course journey set amongst the timber with zip traces again to the bottom.
Suggestions for Visiting Arthurs Seat State Park
- Summer time will at all times be busier for a vacation spot like this, however that’s no motive to not go to
- Plan (and e book) effectively forward if you wish to keep regionally, and to take all of the gear you want in your favorite actions
Arthurs Seat State Park FAQs
How lengthy is the Arthur Seat trip?
The Arthurs Seat Eagle, which is the gondola to the highest of Arthurs Seat close to Melbourne, is a 14-minute trip.
How a lot does it value to go on Arthurs Seat?
The gondola trip to the highest of Arthurs Seat, AKA the Arthurs Seat Eagle, prices $22.50 for an grownup a technique or $29 for a return trip. For teenagers it prices $15 a technique and $19 return.
