Bushrangers Bay Walking Track
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It was one of those cold winter weekends when your breath fogs up your car's windshield and you would rather curl up in bed with a ton of rugs on top of you than go on a trek. But well, the maverick that I am, I decided to head out of Melbourne presumably in an attempt to rediscover my love for the great outdoors and more to the point check, whether I had it in me to do a 10km non-stop trek after a long layoff.
I set off in the morning around 6:00 AM and this being Melbourne, it was more like 12 midnight. My destination: the not so well known
'2 '. A perfect way to test those legs of mine since it's a good 10km if you walk down the trail to the Cape Schanck lighthouse and back.
Being a weekend, there was hardly any traffic on the Nepean highway barring die-hard weekend warriors read drivers, joggers, cyclists. Yes, cyclists!
The Nepean highway is my usual choice especially when it's not congested as it gives me a sense of direction as I inch closer to the Mornington Peninsula. In Mornington, as I drove down the Esplanade it was a sight to behold as the sun rose in all its splendour. The best things in life I had to agree are free.
Visitors to the Peninsula Hot Springs may be familiar with Bushrangers Bay but for those not familiar with the route, follow your navigator's directions to the Bushrangers Bay parking lot. It pays to get there early since there are only around 8-10 car spots available close to the entry of the trail.
At the entry, signboards give you a fair idea of what's in store.
By this time, the sun had warmed up the air a bit and I set out clad in my trusty sneakers and a backpack with a pint of water and a fruit. Did I tell you I've done survival training in the jungles of Borneo! As I picked up the pace the vegetation grew around me and I became one with the enveloping trees.
And all of a sudden after a couple of Kms, I felt like Captain James Cook spotting land, only in my case I was surprised with a breathtaking view of the bay which you expect in the least because all you see are small hills and plateaus where cattle can be seen grazing.
The view is stupendous as the vista suddenly changes from hills to blue waters.
You continue down the trail which winds its way down towards the beach. The elevation drops gently as you plod down the rugged narrow trail hemmed in by vegetation on either side. There's a stairway down to the beach but it can be a bit challenging on the way up for the sedentary among us, so beware.
As I walked around the beach you get to see a multitude of molluscs and seaweed which looks almost surreal what with their delicate looks and tough flagellae.
Rock formations are the main attraction here and if you are feeling up to it, you can scale these rocky citadels which look like sentinels watching over the bay.
I continued my trek towards Cape Schanck and the trail did get steep in certain places, but it was certainly worth the effort. At some point, you come within view of the Cape Schanck lighthouse.
The elevated track snakes around the bay and the thick vegetation blocks your view. Walking steadily for around 2 hours, I reached the Parking area of Cape Schanck. All along the trail, there are several vantage points from where my camera captured the terrific views over the bay.
My trek back to the start of the trail where I'd parked was more of an attempt to beat my halfway mark timing which I failed at badly, what with me stopping to examine the trees and flowers and going off the beaten track.
In all a little over 5 hours and 10km but a good workout for your city-tuned limbs. Heading back to Melbourne, my view was assailed by the winding cavalcade of cars scrambling towards Peninsula Springs, causing a mighty traffic jam.
I, of course, owned my side of the road all the way back to Melbourne. But then again, I chose the road less travelled!
How do you get there?
Driving from Melbourne, take the M1 to Rosebud and then take Exit 28 to merge on to the Mornington Peninsula Freeway. Stay on the freeway and after about 40 or so Ks take the Boneo Road exit towards Cape Schanck.
#nature
#natural_attractions
#mornington_peninsula
#escape_the_city
#cape_schanck
#adventure
#walks
%wnmelbourne
189301 - 2023-06-16 03:17:10