Sierra Nevada Rocks, Portsea

Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

The Sierra Nevada Rocks are located on the Portsea back beach towards the end of the Mornington Peninsula. I believe they are named after a sailing ship that was lost at sea back in 1900. Getting to the rocks is half the fun. Park in the car park at the end of London Bridge Road, take the ramp down to the beach and head to your right.

You'll pass London Bridge on the way. London Bridge itself is well worth checking out and there is plenty to photograph right here. Depending on the tide, I suggest stopping on the way back from Sierra Nevada.

So, keep walking past London Bridge toward the cliff at the end of the beach. When you get close enough you'll spot a tunnel with a metal grid through the cliff that leads to another beach. The tunnel is slippery and rocky. Be careful of your equipment and yourself.

Do not enter the tunnel if the tide is coming in. The tunnel will flood at high tide and cut off access in either direction. If you get caught on the wrong side, find a high dry place and settle in for the next eight hours or so.

Try to plan your trip so that you arrive as the tide is well on the way out. Then you will have plenty of time to explore the Sierra Nevada Rocks and London Bridge on the way back.

The rocks themselves are quite amazing, I'm sure you will be pleased you made the effort to find and negotiate your way through the access tunnel. The weathered sandstone has obviously taken a beating from the wind and surf but it does make a great subject.

I must admit that I was disappointed with my own photos from my one trip here. I took my 4x5 large format camera and shot on Ilford FP4+. I stand developed the negatives in Rodinal and, well they just didn't turn out as I hoped. I'm not sure if it was due to the development or exposure or something else. I will definitely be heading back at some point to re-shoot.