Cape Schanck to Fingal Beach then on toward Gunammatta returning inland via Pines Picnic Ground.
Cape Schanck to Fingal Beach then on toward Gunammatta returning inland via Pines Picnic Ground.
Coastal walk from Cape Schanck Lighthouse toward Fingal Beach, down 439 steps to Fingal Beach, follow the beach toward Gunammatta, before cutting up through the scrub to the inland return track.
Summary
Coastal walk from Cape Schanck Lighthouse toward Fingal Beach, down 439 steps to Fingal Beach, follow the beach toward Gunammatta, before cutting up through the scrub to the inland return track.
Description
Frankie's Grey Wolf Cub Scout Hike 2020.
The start of the walk takes us from Cape Schanck Lighthouse car park down the boardwalk to visit Pebble Beach with views of Pulpit Rock (1). Next we must return to the car park and follow Cape Schanck Road for about 500 metres before turning left into a dirt road (2) that leads to the Gunnamatta and Fingal Beach walking tracks (3).
From here we follow the walking track past a a number of lookouts (4) with fantastic coastal views, don't forget to stop for a happy snap to record your trek. Continue straight on taking all obvious left forks we come across in the path until we reach the sign for Fingal Beach (5). From here we will begin descending the 439 steps that take us down to the pristine sands of Fingal Beach (6). Walking to your right at the bottom of the steps we head west toward Gunnamatta. Follow the beach around the cliffs (7), exploring rock pools as we go, tide permitting. Continue west until we see the inland walking track access point (8). Head inland until we reach the Gunammatta/Cape Schanck fork in the path (9), take the fork to our right which will lead us back toward Cape Schanck. Continue along this path until we reach the left fork (10) in the path that will take us to Fingal Picnic Area (Pines Picnic Ground) (11), where our hike pauses for a picnic or sausage sizzle before following the Picnic ground's car park back to Cape Schanck Road (12&13) then heading right we following the road back to Cape Schanck Lighthouse car park where our hike concludes.
Notes:
-No dogs are allowed on this walk.
-There are many adaptions to this walk. Make it longer by walking all the way to Gunnamatta Beach before returning.
-The Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve is open from 6am-6pm daily.
-The Cape Schanck Lighthouse and Museum are only open to the public on select days (generally weekends and holiday periods). Please check their website for more details www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
-Always check the tides before heading out at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/tides/#!/vic-flinders-jetty
-Check the weather too! https://www.weatherzone.com.au/vic/central/cape-schanck
A good scout is always well prepared, follow this link so you can be too
Be prepared
https://www.trailhiking.com.au/preparing-to-hike/
Breathtaking photos by Nerissa Turner
https://www.flickr.com/photos/134352980@N04/
More great pics
https://www.google.com/travel/things-to-do/see-all?g2lb=2502548%2C4258168%2C4260007%2C4270442%2C4274032%2C4291318%2C4305595%2C4306835%2C4308227%2C4317915%2C4326765%2C4328159%2C4329288%2C4366684%2C4367952%2C4369397%2C4373849%2C4382325%2C4385383%2C4386665%2C4270859%2C4284970%2C4291517%2C4316256%2C4356900&hl=en&gl=au&un=1&otf=1&dest_mid=%2Fm%2F02wdmn&dest_state_type=sattd&dest_src=ts&tcfs=EgsKCS9tLzAyd2Rtbg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiOv-L72b_pAhVRAXIKHYK0AcsQ69EBKAEwAXoECBUQBQ#ttdm=-38.491568_144.887453_12&ttdmf=%252Fg%252F11gfcbhspj
2139 Views
Points of Interest
1. Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Pebble Beach and Pulpit Rock
National Landmark lighthouse and museum, with a boardwalk down to Pebble Beach and views out to Pulpit Rock atop the Devil's Desk. Beautiful photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/134352980@N04/
2. Start of dirt road leading toward Fingal and Gunnamatta walking tracks
Start of dirt road leading toward Fingal and Gunnamatta walking tracks (approx 500 metres from lighthouse)
3. Fingal and Gunnamatta Walking Tracks
start of Fingal and Gunnamatta walking tracks.
4. Fingal Track Coastal Lookout
Take in the breathtaking coastal scenery from several lookout points along the track toward Fingal Beach and Gunnamatta
5. 439 Steps down to Fingal Beach
Are your knees up to the challenge? Slow and steady wins this race!
6. Fingal Beach
Explore rock pools and Selwyn Fault before heading west around the cliffs on your way toward Gunnamatta. Always check the tides http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/tides/#!/vic-flinders-jetty
8. Inland track access point
Access point to the Cape Schanck to Gunnamatta walking track
9. Fork in the Road
Fork in the track: left to Gunnamatta, right to Cape Schanck, straight ahead if you want to play golf.
10. Another Fork in the Road
Fork in the track: left to Fingal Picnic Area, straight ahead to Cape Schanck
11. Fingal Picnic Area
Picnic grounds with BBQs, bathrooms and car park, surrounded by natural bushland
12. Fingal Picnic Area's 2nd car park
Fingal Picnic Area's 2nd car park
13. Fingal Picnic Area's 1st car park
Fingal Picnic Area's 1st car park
Features
Picnic spot
Historical interest
Nature trail
Lake, creek, river
