Gunnamatta Beach

Gunnamatta is the most popular surf beach in Mornington Peninsula National Park, and ocean fishing is common here thanks to the deep rip holes, gutters and reefs. Salmon are the staple, with snapper and King George whiting over the sand and gummies in the night gutters. It is the classic Melbourne surf-fishing beach — a long drive for some, but one that ends with a lot of sand and very few excuses.

Find the gutters first — breaks in the waves and colour changes you can see from a distance — and fish them on the rising tide. Long-cast metal lures are the salmon method, especially in winter. For whiting, use light to medium rods with 3–6 kg line and squid or pipi baits. Snapper and gummies want fresh fish or squid baits on a running rig, fished into the deeper holes at dusk and after dark.

Salmon are the mainstay. Snapper, King George whiting and gummy sharks are the bonus fish. Salmon 21 cm and 20 combined with Australian herring. Snapper 28 cm and 10, no more than 3 of 40 cm or over. King George whiting 27 cm and 20. Gummy shark 45 cm partial length and 2 combined with school shark.

The beach is in Mornington Peninsula National Park: no dogs anywhere in the park, including the beaches and car parks. Fish well away from the flags and the surfers in summer; the lifeguards have enough to do. Weather changes fast here; check the forecast and Parks Victoria's changed-conditions listing before you go.

Two large car parks and two toilet blocks, reached via Truemans Road. The beach is patrolled in summer and school holidays only. Sand tracks and dune paths lead down to the beach — no wheelchair access to the sand. On winter weekends most of the cars heading this way are bound for the hot springs up the road; the ones with rod holders are coming here.

Gunnamatta takes Bass Strait swell head-on. A moderate swell carves the gutters; a big swell makes it dangerous and the beach is best left alone. Northerly winds are offshore and ideal; a strong southerly or south-westerly blows it out. Dawn and dusk on a rising tide are the windows.

This is a hazardous beach: swim only between the flags and stay away from the rips, rocks and reefs. The surf can be big and choppy — wear appropriate gear and never wade deep to cast. Any rock platform on this coast falls inside VFA's mandatory-lifejacket zone — all rock platforms between Point Nepean and West Head — so if you step off the sand onto the rocks you must wear one (AS 4758 level 50S or greater, children in your care Level 100 or greater), and fines apply.

Australian salmon, snapper and King George whiting are the common targets. Gummy sharks are also taken from the deeper gutters at night.

It can be. It is a hazardous beach, with rips, rocks and reefs; it is patrolled only in summer and school holidays. Never wade out to cast, and wear a lifejacket on any rock platform — they are mandatory along this coast.

No. Dogs are not permitted anywhere in Mornington Peninsula National Park, including its beaches and car parks.