Mahogany Beach Walk, Warrnambool to Port Fairy
Mahogany Beach Walk, Warrnambool to Port Fairy
The Mahogany Beach Walk from Warrnambool to Port Fairy's East Beach is a mind-blowingly beautiful 22km beach trek! A car shuffle is recommended to do this walk (as it is 46km return!)
Summary
The Mahogany Beach Walk from Warrnambool to Port Fairy's East Beach is a mind-blowingly beautiful 22km beach trek! A car shuffle is recommended to do this walk (as it is 46km return!)
Description
The long beach walk from Warrnambool to Port Fairy passes the last known resting place of the elusive Mahogany Ship, thought to be a Portuguese caravel that was wrecked in the early 1500s.
It later vanished under drifting sands in the 1890s.
The area is home to echidnas and a range of birds including rare hooded plovers, mutton birds, crested terns, oyster catchers, Pacific gulls, grey gulls and cormorants.
In winter or spring, you might even glimpse a southern right whale.
For shorter walks, enter at one of several beach access points along the route.
You can start at either Port Fairy or Warrnambool.
We preferred to start at Warrnambool as it has softer sand that can feel more difficult to walk on (so best get it out of the way!)
There is virtually no shade, and can be cold and blowy in cooler months, so it's best to plan the best time of year for the walk (we waked on a 19 degree day in December, which was perfect).
Be prepared for the weather on this 23km walk and take water, food, suncream, hats and coats (the weather can change quickly).
Getting there: Unless you plan to walk both ways in a a day (not advisable) you can either do a car shuffle, or catch the bus from Port Fairy Information Centre to Warrnambool Railway station and walk the 2.5km to the start of the walk. Note though that the walk to and from the railway station is not a particularly interesting walk, and some parts only have a footpath on one side of the road).
There are public toilets and drinking water at Killarney Beach, but please note this is about 15km into the walk from Warrnambool!
684 Views
Points of Interest
1. The Start
Start from Thunder Point although interestingly, there did not appear to be any signage at the start an it can be a little unclear which way to go, so just follow your nose.
2. Towards to beach
When the formal paths finishes, continue towards the beach.
3. The first beach
The sand along this beach can be soft so walking can be a little harder, easier at low-tide if you can.
4. Rock pools
Some gorgeous rock pools past Shelley Beach.
5. Toady
Lots of interesting things to find, we called this one Uncle George.
6. Footprints
If you are lucky (we were), you might be the only person on the walk!
7. A beautiful coastline
The coastline stretches for miles.
8. Sea gulls
Some massive flocks of seagulls (and not a chip anywhere).
9. Changing sands
The sand changes, becomes lighter, hard and flatter and easier to walk on.
10. Belfast Coastal Reserve
The inlet was dry when we visited but, assume it would have water in it sometimes.
11. Rocks
The rocks up against the sand dunes indicate you are nearing Killarney and Tower Hill.
12. Seaweed
The beautiful smell of fresh kelp and seaweed washed up from the off shore reefs during stormy weather.
13. Rocky beaches and reefs
Quite beautiful beaches around Killarney Beach.
15. Flock of sea birds.
One of the many flocks of birds, these ones are Terns (we think).
16. Looking back
Looking back ti Killarney Beach, magnificent!
17. Little bluff
Port Fairy appearing as you walk around the little bluff.
18. Port Fairy Golf Club
You walk directly past the golf club that is set in the dunes.
19. East Beach
The hard light sand of the stunning East Beach is a joy to walk along, particularly at low tide on day with light winds.
20. Finish at East Beach
The walk finishes at the Port Fairy Surf Club on East Beach which is beautiful for swimming when the weather is good, there is also a cafe there.
Features
Drinking water available
Public toilets
Historical interest
Nature trail
