Stretching along the coast from the sand barrier of Point Smythe to the sheltered waters of Waratah Bay and Venus Bay, Cape Liptrap Coastal Park has strikingly beautiful scenery. The coastal park transforms from being a peaceful coastal area to wild, windy and awe inspiring in stormy weather. Whatever the season, Cape Liptrap Coastal Park is worth exploring.
With Cambrian rocks and Recent sands, the occurrence of about 270 species of flowering plants including 27 orchids, as well as supporting threatened flora and fauna species – Cape Liptrap Coastal Park is a highly valuable Park in South Gippsland.
Finding your way:
Cape Liptrap Coastal Park is 4,175 ha in size and situated 160 kilometres southeast of Melbourne. It is reached from the South Gippsland Highway at Leongatha or the Bass Highway from Inverloch.
Highlights
Take the easy 400m walk to see the Cape Liptrap Lighthouse perched on the dramatic windswept coast.
Walk to Point Smythe – nestled within the beauty of the Cape Liptrap Coastal Park, this loop walk weaves through the protected coastal vegetation on the point between Anderson Inlet and the ocean beaches of Venus Bay. Three distinct loops dip through tea tree and banksia woodlands on a wide, sandy path. Visit the vast and beautiful Point Smythe Beach, accessible only from this walk.
Discover Cape Liptrap’s knockout beaches:
Venus Bay: Enjoy wild ocean swells ripe for surfing and windsurfing. This vast surf beach stretches for 24km, flat and wide with golden sands. Beach No.1 is patrolled over the summer, swimmers can enjoy the ocean swells, or head around the spit to the calmer waters of Anderson Inlet, a favourite spot for boating and fishing.
Walkerville South: A little magic, a dash of heritage and a smattering of rock pools. The beautiful beach is great for swimming, especially with young kids, thanks to a protected bay with gentle waves.
The half-moon bay is bookended by rock formations, creating an abundance of rock pools and caves. Remnants of the historic lime kilns can be seen from a walk along the beach towards Walkerville North.
This beach was the inspiration for the classic children’s book, Magic Beach, by Alison Lester.
Waratah Bay: A slice of paradise all to yourself. Without a major town servicing this patch of the coast, this pristine beach is steeped in serenity. The undiscovered gem boasts clear, shallow waters with some surf, and a vast, wide crescent of golden sand.
Fishing:
Bait-up from the beach or the rocks along Walkerville’s shoreline. A seafood dinner may be on the menu, thanks to an abundance of kingfish, snapper, trumpeter and parrotfish. You can also launch your boat from the beach at Walkerville. The sheltered waters of Anderson Inlet are home to a plentiful supply of flathead, salmon, whiting, mullet and trevally. For surf fishing, head to the waters of Venus Bay Beach.
