In McCrae, the coast, outdoor activities and history offer distinct options for planning a trip. The several-kilometre-long McCrae Beach, the shared Bay Trail, seasonal camping in the foreshore reserve, and the historic themes of the lighthouse and homestead provide different ways to shape a stay. When planning your days, you can organise your choices by activity: time by the water, getting around on foot or by bike, camping during its designated season, or focusing on history.
Beach and Trails
McCrae Beach stretches for several kilometres from Anthony’s Nose to Rosebud and is considered one of the better beaches along this stretch of the Port Phillip coast. Swimming and stand-up paddleboarding are possible at the beach. Check local conditions before swimming. The Bay Trail passes through McCrae and is a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. The distinction is clear for planning: the beach is focused on water activities, while the Bay Trail is shared by people on foot and by bike. This gives you two distinct activity options.
Lighthouse and Homestead
The McCrae Lighthouse, also known as the Eastern Shore Light, guided ships through the South Channel of Port Phillip for more than a century. It was decommissioned in 1994. Its history has a clearly defined timeline: a long maritime function followed by a precisely dated end to operations. This makes it a distinct historical subject, different from the homestead’s domestic and architectural history.
The McCrae Homestead was built in 1844 by lawyer Andrew McCrae and his wife Georgiana, an artist. The property includes a visitor centre displaying photographs, artefacts and belongings of the Burrell-Twycross family. The family lived in the homestead from 1851 to 1926. The builders and later residents mark different chapters: Andrew and Georgiana built the house, and the Burrell-Twycross family lived in it later. The construction year, 1844, and the period of residence, 1851 to 1926, describe different phases of the house.
The historical focus is therefore clearly distinct: the Lighthouse represents maritime history, while the homestead represents architectural history, its residents and the family belongings on display.
Seasonal Camping in the Foreshore Reserve
Camping is available in McCrae’s foreshore reserve each year from the last weekend in October to the last weekend in April. The camping area lies between the main road and the beach, stretching from Anthony’s Nose in McCrae to Chinaman’s Creek in Capel Sound (Rosebud West). For planning, the season and the area covered are separate reference points: the dates set the seasonal timeframe, while the endpoints identify the section covered. As the start and end dates are each defined by a weekend, check the latest council information before travelling if you plan your trip around camping.
Discover more destinations: Bushfield, Milloo, Mount Clear, Rosebud, Connewarre, Carrum Downs, Riddells Creek, Jeparit.
For the broader travel overview: Victoria.
