Point Nepean Master Plan Implementation

Project status

April 2023:

Stage one of the campground has been completed and is open for bookings
Planning is underway for stage two of the campground, and a 'story-telling' project.
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Background

Point Nepean National Park is one of Victoria’s most important natural, cultural and historical places, and a popular visitor destination for hundreds-of-thousands of visitors each year. A significant place for Traditional Owners of the lands, the Bunurong people, andfor the protection of a range of native plants and animals.

In 2018, following community consultation, a master plan for the park (PDF) was released with an aim to protect its unique and special qualities, and ensure that its complex stories as a cultural landscape are valued and expressed.

As part of Stage One of the master plan, in 2018 Parks Victoria upgraded Defence Road, providing improved visitor safety and enabling bicycle access to Fort Nepean. In 2020, new visitor facilities were added at the Quarantine Station including seating, picnic and BBQ facilities with shelters and a drinking water fountain.

Parks Victoria is now progressing two more initiatives as part of Stage One:

- development of a low-impact, short-stay campground comprised of tent platforms at the Quarantine Station complex.

- a story-telling and interpretation project that will immerse visitors in the stories of this special place.

Above: The Quarantine Station precinct.

Project benefits

Visitors and community

The campground will offer a unique opportunity for people to extend their visit to one of Victoria’s most beautiful and significant national parks, strengthening their support for its conservation. The tent platform arrangement will make the camping low-impact, and more accessible to people with limited experience.

The story-telling and interpretation project will immerse visitors even more during their visit, improving their experience and raising awareness of the cultural landscape and the park's overlapping natural, military and quarantine histories

Aboriginal cultural heritage

Point Nepean is located on the lands of the Bunurong people, who have lived on and around this important cultural place for over 35,000 years. Initiatives in the master plan seek to protect and celebrate the park’s Aboriginal cultural heritage, including through enhanced story-telling and park-wide interpretation

Environment

With annual visitation to the national park increasing significantly, the master plan includes repairs, upgrades and other improvements ensure the health of the park is managed.

Project funding

The Victorian Government has provided $6.4 million to create the new campground and deliver the story-telling and interpretation project, including funding from the $106.6 million Victoria’s Great Outdoors program and also from the Regional Tourism Investment Fund - Stimulus Round, via the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR).

The Project

The current phase of the master plan involves development of a low-impact, short-stay campground at the Quarantine Station complex, and a story-telling and interpretation project.

Campground

Located near the foreshore within the historic Quarantine Station precinct, the campground will be comprised of a series of tent platforms for short-stay visits.

The first stage is now complete, with 36 bookable tent pads available, and facilities provided in refurbished heritage buildings, as approved by Heritage Victoria.

A second phase of the project will see more camping spaces created to the south of the Quarantine Station during 2023.

Story-telling and interpretation

Planning is currently underway on this project that will immerse visitors in the stories of this special place. A strategy has been developed on how to highlight Point Nepean’s living Aboriginal culture, and tell the park's overlapping natural, military and quarantine histories.

View the strategy (PDF)

Above: The planned layout of stage one of the campground project.

Project timeline

Campground

The first stage of the campground is now complete, with the second phase to be delivered during 2023.

Storytelling and interpretation project

This timeline will be updated once the project has commenced.

Environment and cultural heritage management

Cultural heritage and flora and fauna have been undertaken as part of the campground project, which has also received approval from Heritage Victoria.

Who are we working with?

Parks Victoria has been working with Heritage Victoria and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation on these projects at Point Nepean.

The Point Nepean National Park Master Plan was informed by community consultation undertaken during 2017, and we’re continuing to talk with the community about projects in the park, including through the Point Nepean National Park Advisory Group.

Staying updated

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Related information

FAQs

Why are these projects being delivered?

The Point Nepean National Park Master Plan sets out initiatives to aim to protect the park’s unique values and ensure that its complex stories as a cultural landscape are celebrated and expressed.

The campground and story-telling and interpretation projects will help visitors to immerse themselves in the rich heritage and values of the park, in-turn strengthening their support for its conservation.

When will the campground be ready for visitors?

The campground is now open for bookings.

The second stage of the project will be delivered during 2023.

What will the campground and facilities be like?

The campground layout and design will ensure a low-impact presence; with tent platforms dotted along a section of foreshore, and a dedicated facilities area to maintain the health and amenity of the park. The facilities will include toilets, showers and an adjoining outdoor BBQ area.