The picnic areas at Cape Nelson State Park set in quiet bush surroundings are an ideal location for a pleasant meal with family and friends.

A range of linked tracks offer the opportunity to walk as little or as much as desired, allowing you to explore the spectacular coastal cliffs, diverse bird life and picturesque surrounds of the park.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters. Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria.

Before you go
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.

Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Content: Parks Victoria

Local directions

The Park is located 11 km South West of Portland along the Cape Nelson Road. Maps are available at the local tourist office or from Parks Victoria's office in Portland. The Cape also has a return or alternative route called "The Norman Wade Scenic Drive" which takes the visitor past the entrance to Cape Nelson State Park picnic area and several other ocean lookouts including the spectacular lookout at Yellow Rock. Portland is situated about 400 km west of Melbourne and about 600 km east of Adelaide.

Facilities

Activities

Additional business information

Heritage
The area was previously cleared in places and grazed about 30 years ago. Evidence of this can be seen in the occasional windrow, where vegetation has been pushed up into lines. Following an Inter-Colonial Conference of Marine Officers, Cape Nelson Light Station was built in 1884 to assist ships sailing west entering Bass Straight. Cape Nelson is also the site of the Isabella that was shipwrecked in 1837 due to a navigational error by the captain.

Looking After the Park
* Take your rubbish with you. * Fires may only be lit in fireplaces provided. * Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the Park. * Firearms are not permitted. * All native plants and animals are protected. * Vehicles must not be driven off formed roads. * Camping is prohibited. * Leave the Park as you find it.

Precautions
During the summer period, water restrictions may be necessary. Please be careful with water. The water available at the picnic area is only suitable for hand washing, due to the prevalence for the water to be contaminated with leaves and other vegetation at the collection point.