McCrae sits between Dromana and Rosebud on Port Phillip Bay, with a lovely foreshore out front and Arthurs Seat looming behind. Don’t get too carried away expecting loads of attractions here. The main draws are McCrae Beach, McCrae Lighthouse and McCrae Homestead. Add Arthurs Seat to the plan, though, and what might otherwise be a couple of hours by the bay can easily become a full-day outing.
This has been Bunurong / Boon Wurrung Country for a very long time, well before European settlers arrived.
Beach And Foreshore
McCrae Beach looks out over Port Phillip Bay, which sets it apart from the more exposed beaches on the ocean side of the Mornington Peninsula.
If you’re chasing big waves, this probably isn’t the place to go. For swimming when conditions are suitable, foreshore walks and simply spending some time by the water, McCrae makes much more sense. There’s even a swimming-only zone beside the lighthouse where boats aren’t allowed.
You’ll also see bathing boxes, boatsheds and McCrae Yacht Club along the waterfront, although I wouldn’t treat any of them as standalone attractions. They’re part of the foreshore rather than landmarks you need to tick off. On a good day, I’d spend the extra time by the water instead.
Lighthouse And Maritime Navigation
The McCrae Lighthouse, historically known as the Eastern Shore Light or Eastern Lighthouse, was manufactured in Birmingham by Chance Bros. & Co. in 1874 and erected here in 1883. At 33.5 metres high, it’s officially Victoria’s tallest lighthouse and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Its real interest, though, comes from why it was needed. Ships travelling through Port Phillip’s South Channel had to negotiate dangerous sandbanks, and the lighthouse helped guide them through the navigable channel. Its beam could be seen from up to 25 kilometres away; the tower had 120 steps and remained in service until 1994.
It’s easy enough to pull over, take a photo and move on. I’d give it a little more attention than that. Once you understand what the light was doing for ships entering and moving through Port Phillip, the structure becomes considerably more interesting.
Homestead And Colonial Heritage
McCrae Homestead dates from 1844 and was home to Andrew and Georgiana McCrae, who arrived in Port Phillip in 1841. Georgiana had worked as a professional artist in Edinburgh and drew the design for the house herself, which was built with local materials.
The McCraes’ attempt at sheep farming didn’t work out, and the property later became associated with the Burrell-Twycross family. For me, the value of the homestead lies in its ability to provide context for the history of European settlement in this part of the Mornington Peninsula, rather than serving as just another old building for a quick photograph.
These days, the National Trust looks after McCrae Homestead. It typically opens on the first and third Sunday of each month between 11 am and 4 pm, with last entry usually at 3 pm. Opening arrangements can change, so it’s worth checking before planning a trip around going inside.
The homestead is also only one small part of a much longer story. This is Bunurong / Boon Wurrung Country, with a cultural history extending back long before European settlement.
Nearby Towns And Visitor Services
McCrae, Dromana and Rosebud sit close together, but they’re not interchangeable.
For a quieter combination of bay, lighthouse, heritage and easy access to Arthurs Seat, I’d lean towards McCrae. Dromana has more of a town-centre feel, while Rosebud offers a broader range of everyday services. McCrae Plaza covers convenient local shopping, but that’s not what I’d come here for.
What works in McCrae’s favour is how neatly the coast, heritage and access to the elevated landscape fit together.
Road Access And Public Transport
Take a car if you can. Public transport will get you to McCrae, but having your own vehicle makes it considerably easier to combine the foreshore with Arthurs Seat, Dromana, Rosebud and other parts of the peninsula.
Walking is perfectly practical around McCrae Beach and the lighthouse. Arthur’s Seat is more spread out, with different roads, car parks and walking-track access points, so a car gives you far more flexibility once you head uphill.
McCrae has bus services but no railway station. Travelling without a car is still possible; just check the latest PTV timetable before setting off rather than assuming the same service operates every day.
Seasonal Beach And Walking Conditions
For swimming and beach time, late spring through early autumn is the obvious window. The trade-off comes in summer, when the Mornington Peninsula hits its busiest holiday period — something worth remembering if you’re coming here specifically for a quieter day by the bay.
For a combination of walking, views and heritage, I prefer spring and autumn. You can build a McCrae–Arthurs Seat day without depending so heavily on beach weather. Winter isn’t out of the question either; it simply makes more sense if swimming isn’t the purpose of the trip.
Overall Visitor Value
