Conditions of camping

The Conditions of Camping are in place to ensure safety and enjoyment of the foreshore reserves by all, they also contain important information that is helpful for your stay.

The Conditions of Camping constitute the contractual terms on which campers are permitted to occupy a campsite by the Mornington Peninsula Council (as the Committee of Management of each of the foreshore reserves).

Any breach of these conditions by any persons occupying or visiting the campsites, are deemed to be a breach of these Conditions of Camping.

To successfully apply to camp at the foreshore reserves, applicants must have read and agree to abide by the Conditions of Camping.

The Conditions to Camp apply for Rosebud, Rye and Sorrento foreshore reserves 

1. Camping Permit 

1.1 A permit to camp must be obtained from the Foreshore Camping Office before camping. The permit must be displayed on site at all times and must be produced, with the receipt, when requested by any member of Council staff. 

1.2 A camping permit allows you and your guests to camp within the boundaries of the allocated campsite only. 

1.3 No letting or sub-letting of campsites or caravans is permitted. 

1.4 Camping permits are non-transferable without written permission from the Foreshore Camping Coordinator. A campsite must only be occupied by the person named on the original application. 

1.5 A campsite may be occupied by a maximum six persons, with no more than four adults, at any time. 

1.6 All fees must be paid in advance, prior to arrival. 

1.7 A camping permit does not automatically create any right to a camper’s renewal in the following or any subsequent years.

2. Alcohol consumption 

2.1 Alcohol must be confined to allocated campsites, for which a camping permit is held. 

2.2 Please note that Local Laws prohibit the consumption of alcohol in public places (i.e. roads, carparks and beaches). On the spot penalties apply.

3. Noise /behaviour 

3.1 All noise must cease at 11:00pm. 

3.2 You must not be intoxicated, use bad language or engage in offensive behaviour on the Foreshore Reserves.

4. 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: 

4.1 personal injury; and 

4.2 damage to or loss of any property – in connection with your use of the campsite or presence at a foreshore reserve. 

4.3 All property should be well secured at all times.

5. Check in/check out Times 

Check in time is from 2:00pm. 

Check out time is by noon. 

6. Camp set-up 

6.1 Campsites vary in size. There is no guarantee that tents, vans or vehicles will fit onto any site. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the selection of a campsite that will fully contain all of their equipment, including vehicle, within boundaries.

6.2 Subject to size constraints, the maximum setup per allocated campsite is as follows: one family tent and x 1 two-person tent per site plus one car; or three x 2 person tents per site plus one car; or one caravan and annex per site plus one car. These set ups can also include one gazebo/meals area.

6.3 All property belonging to you and your guests must be kept within the confines of the campsite boundaries. 

6.4 All setups must have a minimum setback of 1m from any site boundary and have a minimum unobstructed separation of 1.2m between any caravan, tent or structure on one site and any adjoining site. 

6.5 The use of only one 15 AMP main supply power lead is permitted. Power leads must be suitably inspected and tagged for compliance. Any fees associated with electrical failures due to over-loading or sub-standard equipment will be payable directly to you. Power leads must not be run across any roadway or access track. 

6.6 Where a campsite is unoccupied overnight, the electricity must be switched off at the power head. 

6.7 A maximum of two external lights with a 200-watt maximum current draw, are permitted. 

6.8 Internal combustion electricity generators are prohibited on the foreshore reserves. Solar and other passive systems are permitted. 

6.9 No pressurised water systems, washing machines, portable toilets or showers are permitted. Containers must be provided for the discharge of waste at allocated dump sites. 

6.10 Any non-rigid structure must be removed when a campsite is not occupied. 

7. Bunting/shade cloth 

Due to safety regulations, screening and bunting around campsites is strictly prohibited on the Foreshore Reserves. 

8. Animals/Pets 

The keeping of animals/birds of any kind is strictly prohibited. 

9. Gas supply 

The maximum quantity of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) that may be stored on a campsite is 50kg. 

10. Fire Safety requirements 

10.1 Fires are strictly prohibited on all foreshore reserves and the beach at any time. 

10.2 Naked flames are prohibited on Total Fire Ban days. 

10.3 Solid fuel barbeques are not permitted. This includes materials such as wood, charcoal or briquettes i.e. closed oven or kettle-type appliances. 

10.4 All campsites must have one of the following: a) suitable fire extinguisher b) fire blanket OR c) smoke detector, which complies with the relevant Australian standards.

11. Vegetation (flora/fauna) 

11.1 You must not interfere in any way with the flora and fauna found on the foreshore reserves. 

11.2 You must not cut, saw, dig, move or displace any tree, bough, live or dead timber, wood or other material around the foreshore reserves. 

11.3 No wires, ropes or similar materials shall be attached to any tree or vegetation within the foreshore reserves. 

11.4 Digging of trenches in or around campsites is prohibited.

12. Rubbish 

12.1 General campsite waste is to be placed in bins provided. Larger waste items must be removed from the campsite area (e.g. large boxes, carpet remnants, white goods etc). 

12.2 Bins must not be moved from their position. 

12.3 Recyclable items must be placed in recycling bins where provided.

13. Amenities 

13.1 Showers must be used sensibly and with due regard to fellow campers and current water restrictions. 

13.2 Cooking and dishwashing is not permitted in amenity areas. 

13.3 Children must be accompanied to all amenities by an adult.

14. Bicycles 

Persons, including children, riding bicycles on the Foreshore Reserves must wear appropriate helmets at all times. 

15. Vehicles, boats and trailers – parking 

15.1 Caravans must be registered, insured and roadworthy for use on a highway within Victoria. Wheels must be fitted and tyres inflated at all times. 

15.2 Sleeping in vehicles (other than caravans) is prohibited. 

15.3 The speed limit within foreshore reserves is 4km p/h. 

15.4 Launching of boats is prohibited from foreshore reserves, unless at a designated boat launching facility. 

15.5 Roadways must be kept clear and safe at all times. 

15.6 Motorised scooters and other similar motorised vehicles are prohibited, unless used in compliance with the requirements of the Road Rules – Victoria. 

15.7 One vehicle per site only, is permitted. Permit holders must ensure that visitors’ cars are parked in public parking precincts and not within campsites or roadways. 

15.8 Vehicles must be fully contained within the site boundaries. Where additional parking is required (including for boats and trailers) an application for an additional site will need to be submitted.

16. Departure 

At the conclusion of your stay you must remove all of your property from the campsite and leave the site in a clean and tidy condition. 

17. Breach of Conditions of Camping 

If you commit a breach of these Conditions of Camping, the Council: 

17.1 May, but is not obliged to, issue an oral or written warning to you; or 

17.2 May terminate your right to occupy a site. 

17.3 In the event that your right to occupy a site is terminated, you must immediately vacate the campsite.