Point Macarthur Beach (Portsea)

A 350m protected beach used by locals and boat owners, but with limited public access and facilities.

Shelly Beach and Point Macarthur Beach lie between the 20 m high bluffs of Point Franklin and Point King, with Point Macarthur forming the eastern boundary. The Nepean Highway parallels the beach and houses sit on top of the bluffs behind the beach. Public access is restricted to side streets and through the reserve behind Shelly Beach. There are boat sheds below the bluffs at the back of the beach, with several jetties extending across the beach.

The beach faces north-north-east and usually receives low wind waves. It is relatively narrow and steep, with deep water at high tide, but tidal flats at low tide. There are numerous boats moored off the beaches and the jetties.

Swimming - Relatively safe inshore and clear of the boats and jetties, however watch for strong tidal currents off the points.

Point Macarthur beach has a General Beach Hazard Rating of 2/10 (Least hazardous). The beach is unpatrolled.

Review:

At the end of Hemston Avenue go to the west for Shelly Beach and to the east to Point MacArthur Beach. There is a fairly small car park and quite a walk down the cliff to the beach. At the east end of the beach there is a point blocking access along the beach any further.

There is a strip of fairly narrow sandy beach backed by low grassy dunes and houses perched on the cliffs above. There is a dangerous, dilapidated jetty which should be avoided. The beach merges into Shelly Beach to the west which extends a long way and is much longer than Point Macarthur Beach.

If you are going to take the walk down from the cliff above, turn left at the bottom and go to Shelley Beach rather than turn right to Point Macarthur Beach.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are permitted on the foreshore leash free except between 9am and 7pm during Daylight Savings Period. At other times dogs are permitted leash free.