Peninsula Trail

A trail for everyone

Our community has let us know they want a connected walking and cycling trail across the Mornington Peninsula – linking towns, coast and hinterland.

We’re building more than just a path. We’re creating a unique trail experience – a trail of international significance. It will be 170km of continuous trail linking the Mornington Peninsula to Melbourne. It will unlock tourism, local jobs and economic growth for Victoria.

We’re already two-thirds of the way there. Council has committed $10 million for its most significant trail investment to date. Council is ready to deliver the final sections in partnership with state and federal governments.

Thanks to support from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and the Federal Government’s Priority Community Infrastructure Program, the Somerville to Baxter (4.6km) section is fully funded and construction is underway.

While several links remain outstanding, three have been identified as immediate priorities - Cameron’s Bight, Balnarring to Bittern and Mornington to Moorooduc, each requiring targeted investment of between $1M and $8M. Now is the opportunity to complete the full trail network.

A fully connected Peninsula trail can be delivered as a state significant asset, boosting tourism, connecting communities, and enabling a heathier lifestyle for generations to come.

The project is a transformational opportunity for Victoria and has the potential to be Australia’s newest scenic trail.

The Peninsula Trail is an important step in closing the gaps in Melbourne’s Bay Trail, creating a fully connected off-road cycling route from the mouth of the Yarra in Port Melbourne to the entrance of Port Phillip.

A second branch of the trail will take cyclists from Baxter to Stoney Point, with a circular loop to be created via Merricks, Red Hill and connecting to the Bay Trail at Dromana.

The trail will link to several existing walking trails following spectacular coastlines and taking in panoramic views of many attractions, including Point Nepean and Cape Schanck.

It will offer some of the best food, wine, walking and cycling tours in Australia, nature-based tourism, aboriginal cultural experiences and guided tours of our vibrant art scene.

The Peninsula Trail will be a catalyst for economic growth, community connection and cultural recognition.

It has been identified as a key driver for tourism with the potential to attract off-peak and mid-week visitors and disperse them more evenly across the Peninsula.

Our community is walking and cycling more than ever before, with a growing appreciation for the health and wellbeing benefits of safe, accessible open spaces. The trail will provide natural spaces supporting activity and mental wellbeing.

It will connect towns across the Peninsula, helping to create ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’ and reducing reliance on cars. It will offer a viable alternative for both recreation and commuting, particularly important when 80 percent of our region doesn't have access to public transport.

The Trail is also an opportunity to honour Bunurong cultural heritage and respect for Country - reflecting stories, signage, Boonwurrung language.

It is estimated the Peninsula Trail project will generate a total economic output of $111 million and support 267 full time jobs during construction.

The operational phase is estimated to deliver $9.7 million direct and $14 million indirect visitor expenditure and support 109 local jobs. The project is also estimated to save $9 million in health cost for residents each year.

The Council has invested in and adopted strategies to manage project delivery. The Peninsula Trail Strategic Plan sets out the big-picture, and the Masterplan maps out trail links and preferred alignments.