Guided Coastal Exploration Walk at Koonya Ocean Beach, Blairgowrie

We will explore Koonya Beach, Mornington Peninsula National Park and the habitats of Hooded Plovers, southern long-nosed bandicoots, Blue-tongued skinks, and many other iconic local native birds, animals, and plants.

The walk will follow the historic Peninsula Life-saving Track over the undulating coastal dune landscape from sheltered grasslands and protective scrub to the exposed cliffs and Koonya Ocean Beach.

Hosted by volunteers from Blairgowrie Friends of Mornington Peninsula National Park and Friends of the Hooded Plover, who will provide expert guidance. These groups and volunteers are dedicated to helping the local birds, animals, and plants face modern-day challenges.

Lunch will be provided following the walk, with an opportunity for questions, conversations and gathering further information.

Meet: The walk will start from the public toilet block near the Koonya Beach lower carpark.

Please bring:

• weather protection, including sunscreen, hats and raincoats
• walking shoes, closed toe no slip shoes
• a water bottle
• insect protection
• binoculars

Contact:

Norm O'Brien - 0419290857

Age restrictions:

Open to all ages.

A guardian must accompany children under the age of 16. Please be advised that every person attending this activity (including the guardian accompanying the child) must have a ticket to attend this activity. If the guardian is yet to register for a ticket, please register for a ticket immediately.

Cancellations:

If you can no longer attend an activity you are registered for, please cancel your ticket so our activity leader knows and does not wait for you to arrive, and the ticket can be allocated to the waitlist.

This activity may be cancelled at short notice due to extreme weather conditions or changes in Victorian Government public health guidelines. You will be contacted if the activity is cancelled.

About:

Now in its 30th year, Summer by the Sea offers fun, educational activities along Victoria’s coastline. With the 2026 theme ‘The coast, the sea, and our community’, the program gives people the chance to explore our coastal and marine environments and learn how to help protect them for future generations.

Proudly supported by Coastcare Victoria and the Victorian Government, activities are delivered in partnership with environmental organisations and led by friendly, experienced, first aid–trained hosts.