Western Port Bay Trail (Somerville - Balnarring)
The 27km long Western Port Bay Trail is a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians which follows the coastline of Western Port Bay between Somerville and Balnarring passing through the towns of Tyabb, Hastings, Bittern and Somers.
The trail is narrow, overgrown and rough in places with a number of road crossings. The surface is mostly concrete and bitumen with some gravel sections.
The route description is:
- From the northern end, the trail begins adjacent to Somerville railway station on the west side of Frankston-Flinders Road in Somerville.
- Travelling south, after crossing Park Lane, the trail makes use of the two-way service road for a short distance.
- The trail continues to travel south, crossing Bungower Road, before reaching the town of Tyabb. Here the Frankston-Flinders service road is used once again for about 300 metres. This is followed by a right turn into Dalton Drive, heading west for 100 metres, then left into Gerald Street, heading due south for 400 metres. The trail then crosses Mornington-Tyabb Road, running parallel to this road on the south side for 100 metres, before heading south through Tyabb Central Recreation Reserve.
- The trail crosses the Long Island branch line off the Stony Point railway line in Hastings, then Frankston-Flinders Road (Graydens Road), meeting with a gravel trail that joins Robertson Street. Turn left into Robertson Street and head east for 100 metres, then turn right on to the trail on the west side of Marine Parade.
- Along Marine Parade, the trail continues to travel south, passing the intersection of the Long Island trail at Barclay Crescent, then crossing Lyall Street and Burke Street. Near the entrance to Hastings Park, the trail crosses Marine Parade, winding its way through Hastings Foreshore Reserve, including a boardwalk section, passing Hastings Jetty and Western Port Marina.
- At the south end of Hastings Foreshore Reserve, the trail heads due west along the south side of Reid Parade for 900 metres, then turns left heading south on the east side of Frankston-Flinders Road.
- In Bittern, the trail crosses Stony Point Road and heads south-west, passing Bittern railway station and crossing Urquhart Crescent.
- After crossing Urquhart Crescent, the trail runs parallel to South Beach Road on its western side.
- At the intersection of South Beach Rd and Disney Street (still in Bittern), the trail crosses South Beach Road and Disney Street, and continues parallel to South Beach Road on its eastern side, now heading south east. Also at the aforementioned intersection a branch of the trail splits off from the main trail and runs parallel to Disney Street. It finishes adjacent to Morradoo railway station in Crib Point.
- In Somers, at the intersection of South Beach Road and Sandy Point Road, the trail crosses both of these roads, heading north-west parallel to Sandy Point Road, on its southern side.
- At the intersection of Lord Somers Road and Sandy Point Road the trail continues west along Sandy Point Road, finishing in Balnarring. Also at the aforementioned intersection a branch of the trail splits off from the main trail and runs parallel to Lord Somers Road. It finishes adjacent to the Coolart Wetlands and Homestead Reserve near Somers beach.
Map of Route
Points of Interest shown on the map are:
#1 Somerville - There are a number of local parks providing a range of open spaces for informal recreation such as the Somerville Recreation Reserve and Barber Reserve.
#2 Fruit Growers Reserve
#3 Bunguyan Reserve
#4 Tyabb - The coastal plains in the Tyabb area consist of calcareous dune sand. The mangroves growing along the foreshore and in other parts of Western Port Bay.
#5 Tyabb Recreational Reserve
#6 Jack Babington Park
#7 Hastings Park
#8 Hastings Foreshore Reserve - Hastings natural coastline along Hastings Bight, provides for an ideal harbour, home to bird species, including pelicans. You can also enjoy the many walking tracks.
#9 Pelican Park - Pelican Park Recreation Centre offers a wide range of programs and facilities that the whole community can enjoy; aquatic facilities, health & fitness gymnasium & Pelican Pantry.
#10 Western Port Marina
#11 Warringine Park - Located 1km from the historic fishing township of Hastings, Warringine Park offers a wide range of environments for passive recreation such as nature walks, bird watching, bike riding, environmental education and friends group activities.
#12 Bittern Coastal Wetlands Boardwalk
#13 Bittern - Lorna's Triangle Bushland Reserve, Warringine Heritage (Woodlands) Park and the Bittern Coastal Wetlands make up some of the open space in the Bittern region.
#14 Lorna's Triangle Natural Bushland Reserve
#15 HMAS Cerberus - largest Naval Training base in Australia. The base is equipped with residences, cinema, Police and Fire Service centre, churches and a museum. No public access.
#16 Somers - Somers natural charm is supported by the densely vegetated dunes, which screen the sandy beaches around the area. The foreshore reserve and adjacent reserve make Somers an attractive coastal area.
#17 Coolart Wetlands & Homestead - Coolart is a unique natural and cultural asset for the people of Victoria - a historic farming property which has become a wildlife reserve. An admission fee applies.
#18 Balnarring is believed to have been derived from an Aboriginal name, meaning 'camp in open place'. The Balnarring village shopping area offers a central hub for the township.
#19 Koala Shelter - Information
Location
1100 Frankston-Flinders Road, Somerville 3912 Map
Web Links
→ Western Port Bay Trail Map (PDF)
