Victoria’s secret rock pools
Rock pools
Rock pools are a refreshing way to cool off in summer while connecting with Victoria’s diverse coastal environments.
Found along rocky shorelines, rock pools are home to an array of fascinating and colourful marine life. These small intertidal habitats can be explored by peering into shallow pools on exposed rock platforms or, in calm conditions, by snorkelling to observe life beneath the surface.
Mornington Peninsula rock pools
Cairns Bay rock pool
Location
Cairns Bay is located on the southern Mornington Peninsula between Cape Schanck and Flinders, near Boneo Road.
Driving time from Melbourne
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes from Melbourne CBD.
How to access
Parking is available near Boneo Road at Tea Tree Creek Reserve. A walking track leads through coastal bushland before descending steeply to the rocky shoreline, where the pools form at low tide.
Blairgowrie (Bridgewater Bay) rock pool
Location
The rock pools are located at Bridgewater Bay on the ocean side of Blairgowrie, on the Mornington Peninsula.
Driving time from Melbourne
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours from Melbourne CBD.
How to access
Access is via the small car park at the end of St Johns Wood Road.
A short but steep staircase leads down to the beach and adjacent rock platforms.
Sorrento Back Beach rock pools
Location
Sorrento Back Beach is located on the Bass Strait side of the Mornington Peninsula near the township of Sorrento.
Driving time from Melbourne
Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes from Melbourne CBD.
How to access
Large public car parks provide direct access to the beach. Rock pools appear along the shoreline and rock shelves when the tide recedes.
Cape Schanck rock pools
Location
Cape Schanck is located at the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula within Mornington Peninsula National Park.
Driving time from Melbourne
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes from Melbourne CBD.
How to access
Access is via the Cape Schanck Lighthouse precinct and surrounding coastal walking tracks. Rock pools form across the volcanic rock platforms at the base of the cliffs and are accessible only at low tide.
Bushrangers Bay rock pools
Location
Bushrangers Bay is located within Mornington Peninsula National Park near Cape Schanck.
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Bushrangers+Bay+Victoria
Driving time from Melbourne
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to just under 2 hours from Melbourne CBD.
How to access
Access requires a coastal walk of approximately 2.5 to 3 kilometres from either the Boneo Road car park or the Cape Schanck Lighthouse precinct. Rock pools are scattered across the volcanic rock platform at low tide.
Bass Coast and Phillip Island rock pools
Cape Paterson rock pools
Location
Cape Paterson is a small coastal town east of Inverloch on Victoria’s Bass Coast.
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Cape+Paterson+Victoria
Driving time from Melbourne
Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes from Melbourne CBD.
How to access
Rock pools can be found along the eastern and western ends of Cape Paterson Beach. Access is via multiple beach entry points from the township, with rock platforms exposed at low tide.
The Colonnades
Location
The Colonnades are located at the western end of Woolamai Surf Beach at Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island.
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=The+Colonnades+Cape+Woolamai
Driving time from Melbourne
Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours from Melbourne CBD.
How to access
Park at the end of Tampa Road, walk down the stairs and then walk to the western end of the beach. Rock platforms are exposed near the cliffs at low tide, rather than forming classic shallow pools.
Great Ocean Road rock pools
Wye River rock pools
Location
Wye River is a coastal town along the Great Ocean Road, west of Lorne, within the Otways region.
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Wye+River+Victoria
Driving time from Melbourne
Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes from Melbourne CBD, depending on traffic.
How to access
Rock pools are located at the edges of Wye River Beach and near the river mouth. Access is straightforward via beach entry points from the township, with pools most visible at low tide.
Safety and access tips for Victorian rock pools
Rock pools are best explored at low tide, ideally within two hours either side of the lowest tide point. Always check local tide charts, weather and swell forecasts before visiting, as conditions can change quickly and tide times vary along the coast. Swim only within your limits and in calm conditions, and avoid rock pools during large swells. Remain alert for rogue waves, particularly on exposed ocean-facing coastlines.
Wear sturdy footwear with good grip, as rock platforms can be slippery, uneven and sharp. Stay clear of cliff edges and unstable coastal terrain. Facilities are limited at many locations, so bring drinking water, reef-safe sun protection, a rubbish bag and a basic first-aid kit.
Always practise Leave No Trace principles. Leave marine life undisturbed, return any rocks you lift to their original position, and avoid taking shells or rocks home. Photography is the best way to capture memories without damaging fragile intertidal ecosystems :)
Nature science fact about rock pools
Rock pools are part of the intertidal zone, an area that experiences dramatic environmental fluctuations as tides rise and fall. Organisms living in rock pools must tolerate rapid changes in temperature, salinity and oxygen levels, making these habitats some of the most resilient ecosystems along the coastline. As rock pools trap seawater during low tide, they support a surprisingly high diversity of species and play an important role in coastal food webs. How neat is that?