Whitecliffs Foreshore Campground, Rye VIC
Capturing the timeless spirit of the Australian beach holiday, Whitecliffs Foreshore Campground in Rye is one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most popular and beloved destinations. This fantastic seasonal campground stretches along the beautiful, calm shores of Port Phillip Bay, offering a traditional camping experience where the beach is just a few steps from your tent or caravan. The campground is nestled amongst a green belt of shady coastal trees, providing a wonderful sense of being immersed in nature while being right in the heart of the vibrant town of Rye. It’s a place synonymous with summer fun, attracting generations of families who return year after year.
The atmosphere at Whitecliffs is bustling, friendly, and family-oriented. The main attraction is the magnificent beach itself, with its safe, shallow waters perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and building sandcastles. Its proximity to the iconic Rye Pier and boat ramp makes it a paradise for boaties and anglers, who can easily launch their vessels for a day of fishing or cruising on the bay. The campground offers a mix of powered and unpowered sites on a natural, sandy base, catering to a wide range of setups from tents to caravans.
While the focus is on the back-to-nature beach experience, the campground is well-equipped with clean amenity blocks offering hot showers and toilets, as well as laundry facilities and a dump point. Its location is unbeatable; a short, flat walk along the foreshore path brings you directly to Rye’s main street, with its huge array of shops, cafes, restaurants, and the classic Rye Hotel. It also serves as a perfect central base for exploring all the Peninsula has to offer, from the rugged ocean beaches to the world-class wineries and the Peninsula Hot Springs. As a seasonal park, it’s typically only open from late spring through to autumn, and booking well in advance is absolutely essential.
Site Information
- Location: Absolute beachfront on Port Phillip Bay in Rye, on the Mornington Peninsula.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Swags, Camper Trailers, Caravans, and Motorhomes.
- Road Access: Sealed roads.
- Site Surface: Natural sand and dirt base.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, powered and unpowered sites available. This is a seasonal campground (typically Sept-April). Booking is mandatory.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Check with the Foreshore Reserve management.
- Number of Powered Sites: Available.
- Number of Un-powered Sites: Available.
Facilities
- Facilities: Amenity blocks with flushing toilets and hot showers, laundry facilities, BBQs, dump point.
- Picnic Tables: Yes, in communal areas and across the road on the foreshore.
- Potable Water: Yes.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent.
- TV Reception: Good.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, for campers.
- Ullage: A dump point is available on site for campers.
- Rubbish Bins: Yes.
- Open Fires: Strictly prohibited at all times.
- Generator Use: Prohibited.
Essentials & Activities
- Essentials to Bring: Beach gear, kayaks/SUPs, fishing rods, bicycles, sand pegs for tents.
- Pet Friendly: No. A strict no-pets policy is in place.
- Fishing: Excellent fishing for squid, whiting, and flathead from the pier and by boat.
- Short Walks: Fantastic walking and cycling along the Bay Trail which runs right past the campground.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Rye Hotel (approx. 1 km)
- Blairgowrie Hotel (approx. 4 km)
- Rosebud Hotel (approx. 8 km)
- Places to Eat: A huge range of cafes, bakeries, restaurants, and supermarkets are within easy walking distance in Rye.
- Local Attractions:
- Rye Pier and Boat Ramp
- Peninsula Hot Springs (approx. 10 km)
- The wild ocean beaches (e.g., Gunnamatta Beach)
- Searoad Ferries from Sorrento to Queenscliff (approx. 10 km)
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Tyrone Foreshore Camping (adjacent)
- Numerous other commercial parks in Rye.
- Next Free Camps: No free camping on the Mornington Peninsula.
- Nearest Dump Points: Onsite for campers.
- Nearest Petrol Station: Several options available in Rye.
- Drinking Water Resupply: Available onsite.
- Public Toilets: Available onsite for campers and on the public foreshore.
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec – Feb): The peak season. Warm to hot, with refreshing sea breezes. Perfect for all beach activities. Temperatures average 14°C to 25°C.
- Autumn (Mar – May): A beautiful time to visit as the crowds thin. Days are mild and often sunny, nights are cool. Temperatures average 10°C to 20°C.
- Winter (Jun – Aug): The campground is closed during this period.
- Spring (Sep – Nov): A lovely season as the weather warms up. The foreshore is green and vibrant. Temperatures average 9°C to 19°C.