Conditions of Camping
The Conditions of Camping are in place to ensure safety and enjoyment of the foreshore reserves by all as well as protecting our coastal environment. Conditions now include limits on equipment to minimise impact of soil compaction as well as limiting the damage to the foreshore reserve grounds due to excessive and long-term use of ground covering
The Conditions of Camping constitute the terms by which campers (site holders) are permitted to occupy a campsite by the Mornington Peninsula Council (as the Committee of Management of each of the foreshore reserves)
These conditions will also apply to any other person(s) occupying or visiting the campsites
Upon payment of the camping fee, the applicant agrees they have read, understood and agreed to the Conditions of Camping
The Conditions of Camping apply to the McCrae, Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento foreshore camping areas
1. Camping Receipt (Permit)
1.1 Camping fees must be paid in advance. A camping receipt (permit) will be issued detailing the paid camping period. This receipt must be produced when requested by any member of the Foreshore Camping Office or Council staff representative
1.2 Camping applications can only be made by person(s) who are over the age of 18 and provide a permanent residential address
1.3 A campsite must be occupied by the person named (site holder) on the application. If a group booking is made the person named on the application must occupy one site and will be responsible for all guests staying as part of that group booking
1.4 A camping receipt allows site holder and guests to camp within the boundaries of the allocated campsite
1.5 Camping receipts are non-transferable. No letting or sub-letting of a campsite is permitted
1.6 A campsite may be occupied by a maximum of six persons, with no more than four adults (18+), at any time. Declaration of the number occupants must be completed at time of booking. If any changes are made the Foreshore Camping Office must be notified
1.7 A camping permit does not automatically create any right to a site holder’s renewal in the following or any subsequent years
1.8 Site holders are reminded that the campgrounds are for all to enjoy. Large groups of guests are not permitted to gather at any site
2. Campsite Set-up
2.1 Campsites vary in size. There is no guarantee that tents, caravans or vehicles will fit onto any site. It is the site holder’s responsibility to ensure the selection of a campsite that will fully contain all their equipment, including their vehicle, within the site boundaries
2.2 Subject to site size constraints and registered guests the maximum setup per allocated campsite is as follows:
Up to 2 people
One only of the following:
- Family tent
- Motorhome/Bus (and annexe)
- Campervan (and annexe)
- Camper trailer (and annexe)
- Caravan/5th Wheeler (and annexe)
and up to a 6m x 3m marquee.
3-4 people
- 1 additional (up to) 4 person tent
5-6 people
- 2 additional (up to) 4 person tents
Use of swag(s) or a roof top tent is permitted in lieu of the additional 4 person tent(s)
Request to alter this must be approved by the Foreshore Camping Office
2.3 All fly structures to be on own frame and are not to extend more than 2 meters more than the single structure that they cover, unless permitted by the Foreshore Camping Office
2.4 Tarpaulins not on frames and pulled over caravans/tents are not permitted structures, except during extreme weather
2.5 All caravans and trailers must be positioned so that tow hitch is facing the track. Motorhome/Bus must be parked front or back towards the track (not across site). Request to alter this must be approved by the Foreshore Camping Office prior to setting up site
2.6 Approved ground covering (eg shade cloth or caravan matting) may be used and is only permitted in annex areas and marquee areas. Extended use of any ground covering around site is not permitted. Carpet, matting or synthetic grass or any non-breathable material is not permitted. Solid tarpaulins (ground sheets) may only be used under tents and are not to be used as ground cover
2.7 All camp setups must be kept within the confines of the campsite boundaries unless agreed by the Foreshore Camping Office
2.8 All setups must have a minimum setback of 1m from any shared site boundary and have a minimum unobstructed separation of 2m between any caravan, tent or structure on one site and any adjoining site. Sites cannot be joined i.e. by use of shared marquees or fly structures
2.9 The use of only one 15 AMP main supply power lead is permitted. Power leads must be inspected and tagged for compliance. Any fees associated with electrical failures due to over-loading or sub-standard equipment will be charged to the site holder
2.10 Taps are not available at all sites. Campers using shared taps must leave one tap head free for other campers. Taps will be turned off by Foreshore Camping Officers if they are found to be leaking
2.11 Power leads/water hoses must not be run across any roadway or access track. Digging in or suspending power leads or water hoses off trees or any vegetation is not permitted
2.12 Where a campsite is unoccupied overnight, the electricity must be switched off at the power head and water turned off at tap
2.13 Petrol generators are prohibited. Solar and other passive systems are permitted
2.14 Containers must be used for the discharge of waste and emptied at allocated dump sites
2.15 Fencing including child fencing is not permitted. Play pens can be used when needed and removed when not in use
2.16 Temporary pools capable of containing a depth of water greater than 300mm are not permitted
2.17 The Foreshore Camping Office reserves the right to move campers to alternate sites without notice
3. Vehicles, Bikes, Scooters, Boats and All Other Trailers
3.1 All vehicles and trailers parked or used on the foreshore camping grounds must be registered unless declared as exempt, temporary permits are not acceptable (refer Vic Roads permit conditions)
3.2 The speed limit within foreshore campgrounds is 4 kmph (walking pace)
3.3 Roadways (tracks and trails) must always allow emergency vehicle(s) clear and unobstructed access
3.4 Motorised scooters are not permitted
3.5 Bike helmets must be worn when riding in the campgrounds
3.6 Vehicles are to be kept on campsite. Additional vehicles are not to be parked on empty sites at any time. Other free space is not exclusive to any camper and cannot be reserved. Visitor’s cars are to be parked in public parking precincts and not within campgrounds or roadways. Heavy vehicles are not permitted to be parked in the foreshore campgrounds at anytime
3.7 Washing of vehicles (eg cars, boats or trailers) is prohibited in the camp grounds
4. Vegetation (Flora/Fauna)
4.1 You must not interfere in any way with the flora and fauna found on the foreshore reserves
4.2 You must not cut, saw, dig, move or displace any tree, bough, live or dead timber or other material around the foreshore reserves. Raking of sites is to be kept to a minimum as it interrupts the natural environment. Sites are to be restored on departure
4.3 No wires, ropes or similar materials to be attached to any tree, vegetation, water tap or powerhead within the foreshore reserves
4.4 Digging of trenches and holes to level caravans or to set stabiliser legs is prohibited
4.5 Pot plants and other vegetation are strictly prohibited in campgrounds as they may cause unintended introduction of non-native plant life to our foreshore vegetation
5. Animals/Pets
5.1 The keeping of animals/birds of any kind is strictly prohibited. Visiting dogs are not permitted
5.2 Qualified assistance/service dogs are welcome. Owners/handlers of an assistance dog must provide qualifications to the Foreshore Camping Office before arrival
6. Amenities
6.1 Amenity facilities must be used with consideration and with due regard to fellow campers
6.2 Cooking and dishwashing is not permitted in amenity areas
6.3 Children must be accompanied to all amenities by an adult
6.4 Amenity codes must not be given to other people
6.5 Unauthorised notices/flyers are not permitted to be placed in the Foreshore Camping grounds
7. Check in/Check Out Times
7.1 Check in time is from 2:00pm
7.2 Check out time is by noon
7.3 At the conclusion of your stay you must remove all your property from the campsite and leave the site in a clean and tidy condition (see also 4.2)
8. Alcohol Consumption
8.1 Alcohol must be confined to allocated campsites, for which a camping permit is held
8.2 Please note that Local Laws prohibit the consumption of alcohol in public places (i.e. roads, carparks and beaches). On the spot penalties apply (see 14.4)
9. Noise/Behaviour
9.1 All noise must cease at 11:00pm
9.2 You must not be intoxicated, use bad language or engage in offensive behaviour on the Foreshore Reserves. On the spot penalties apply (see 14.4)
10. Gas Supply
The maximum quantity of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) that may be stored on a campsite is 50kg
11. Fire Safety Requirements
11.1 Fires are strictly prohibited on all foreshore reserves and the beach at any time
11.2 Solid fuel barbeques are not permitted. This includes materials such as wood, charcoal or briquettes
11.3 All campsites must have at least one of the following:
- suitable fire extinguisher
- fire blanket; or
- smoke detector, which complies with the relevant Australian standards
12. Rubbish
12.1 General campsite waste is to be placed in bins provided
12.2 It is the responsibility of the site holder to arrange removal and disposal of larger waste items (e.g. large boxes, broken camping gear, white goods etc). Penalties apply for illegal dumping (see 14.4)
12.3 Bins must not be moved from their position
12.4 Recyclable items must be placed in recycling bins provided
13. Fees and Charges
13.1 Fees are set each year and agreed to by Council. The fee schedule will be available on the website and is also available on request
13.2 Administration fee will be the equivalent of one night non-powered off peak rate (unless defined in fees agreed by Council)
13.3 Any camper found arriving early or departing after their departure time will be charged at one week powered peak rate per night of additional stay
14. Breach of Conditions of Camping
14.1 Any determination made by a Foreshore Camping Officer is final. Any reasonable request made by the Foreshore Camping Office is to be adhered to
14.2 If you commit a breach of these Conditions of Camping, the Council may terminate your right to occupy a site
14.3 In the event that your right to occupy a site is terminated, you must immediately vacate the campsite. Refund of any camp fees will not apply
14.4 Please be aware that the following Local Laws apply
- Community Amenity Local Law 2022
- Consumption of Alcohol Local Law 2022
15. Cancelation and Alteration Policy
Is available on the Mornington Peninsula Shire website
16. Release
To the extent permitted by law, you agree to release the State of Victoria, the Council and their respective employees and agents from any liability with respect to:
- personal injury; and
- damage to or loss of any property – in connection with your use of the campsite or presence at a foreshore reserve
Campers are reminded that property should be well secured at all times
Updated April 2023