The beachside town of Balnarring on westernport bay at the start of the Mornington peninsula is only 70 kms from Melbourne and is an easy drive that can be made even nicer by stopping off for a couple of secret walks along the way.

Sweetwater Creek Bush Walk

On the far side of Frankston, before you climb Oliver’s Hill, take a left at Liddesdale avenue and access the #sweetwatercreek 3km bush walk. This lovely lush loop track is packed with delights including swing bridges, timber boardwalks, lots of birdlife and pretty flowers. You can take your dog on leash and feel like you’re in the bush – right next to the beach!

Bittern coastal wetlands boardwalk

This 3km each way walk boardwalk is quite a feat of engineering as it takes you over the muddy mangroves out to “Jack’s beach’ a tidal muddy landing on Westernport bay named after the Jack family that used to live and fish there. You can park your car in Salmon street and walk into the Warringine Bushland reserve (no dogs allowed on this one but you can take your bicycle!) and follow the boardwalk over the mudflats until you reach Jack’ss beach at the end (there’s toilets here and another carpark).

Beautiful beachy Balnarring

Balnarring has a very large campground that stretches around the beach and has many different sections where you can tuck your tent into the bush and be on the beach in a minute. The bay is quite protected so good for families and fishing or a spot of kayaking or SUP’ing. Balnaring punches above its weight with some fine dining options including the delightful Barn and Co. restaurant in , yep you guessed it, an old barn, and in the Balnarring shops you’ll find two delicious dinner spots: Le Bouchon French cuisine and Fontalina Italian.