Cape Paterson

Cape Paterson is a small Gippsland town with a big reputation for fun. Suitable for the entire family the coastline features protected beaches, rock pools, great surf and scuba diving and is serviced by the Wonthaggi Royal Lifesaving Club and the Cape Paterson Surf Lifesaving Club.

It was named by Lt. Grant in 1801 to honour Lt. Col. William Paterson, second in command of the Botany Bay (Sydney) battalion. Explorer William Hovell first discovered black coal in the cliffs at Cape Paterson in 1826. In 1858, 2,000 tons of coal were hauled to the coast at Cape Paterson and taken by whaleboat to ships for transportation to Melbourne. Tram rails on the beach are reminders of further attempts to remove coal from the area later in the century, which still remain on the beach to the west of No 2 surf beach.

Cape Paterson attracts regular holidaymakers but, being slightly off the main road, maintains an air of appealing isolation. In all but the peak season the walks and beaches are almost deserted. A short walk begins at the boat ramp and finishes at the surf beach near the surf life saving club. Look for the swimming pool blasted out of the rock by miners in the late 1950s.

Quick facts

• Population 600
• Location 138 kilometres south-east of Melbourne
• Bunurong Coastal Drive
• Bunurong Marine and Coastal Park.

Activities and attractions

• Enjoy excellent surfing, swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving
• Discover secrets from the sea in the coastal rock pools
• Drive the Bunurong Coastal Drive, a stunning 14-kilometre stretch of road between Inverloch and Cape Paterson that hugs the coastline and provides an abundance of photographic opportunities
• Look out for ‘Eagles Nest’ – a large rock structure adjacent to the coastline that resembles the top half of a map of Australia.

How to get there

Cape Paterson is located 138 kilometres southeast of Melbourne, less than two hours. Travel along the South Gippsland Hwy from Melbourne, turning onto Bass Hwy to follow the road through Grantville, Bass, Kilcunda and Wonthaggi before reaching Cape Paterson.