Mornington Peninsula Parking: 3 Beach Sites Are Free Again (Schnapper Point, Sunnyside Beach, Flinders Pier), Plus the Rules and Fines (VIC)

Parking at Schnapper Point in Mornington, Sunnyside Beach in Mt Eliza and Flinders Pier is free again: Mornington Peninsula Shire’s paid-parking pilot at the three sites ended at 8pm on Saturday 14 September 2024, and resident ePermits are no longer required. The signed time limits still apply. This guide uses the Shire’s website, read on 9 November 2026, and covers where parking is free, the rules the Shire enforces and what to do if you get a fine.

Is beach parking free on the Mornington Peninsula?

At the three pilot sites, yes. The Shire says parking at Schnapper Point, Sunnyside Beach and Flinders Pier is again free, and all car park users must continue to follow time restrictions. It says the pilot generated $1.38 million in revenue from visitor parking fees and infringements over seven months, and cost $1.22 million to run. The Shire says any profit after expenses was to help maintain foreshore infrastructure.

Site	Status	What the Shire says
Schnapper Point (Mornington)	Free	Pilot ended 14 September 2024; follow the signed time limits
Sunnyside Beach (Mt Eliza)	Free	Same
Flinders Pier	Free	Same
Other car parks	Not covered by the Shire’s pages read	Read the signs at each car park

The Shire says it welcomes over eight million visitors a year and that parking demand has never been higher. It is developing a Parking Management Policy that will consider time restrictions to improve turnover, permit systems to prioritise access, overflow parking impacts, smart parking solutions and enforcement. It says the Shire is the only Bayside council between the Peninsula and the city without a formal parking policy or strategy, and that it will publish updates and chances to comment.

Where is it illegal to stop or park?

The Shire says the parking rules come from the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, which the Victorian Government sets, and that it enforces them.

Rule	What the Shire says
Driveways	You may park up to a driveway, but it is illegal to stop across one unless you stay in the car for no more than two minutes; you must move at once if the owner or occupier needs to get in or out
Nature strips, footpaths, dividing strips	An offence even if you stop for a minute
Intersections	No part of the vehicle within 10 metres of an intersection, or 20 metres if it has traffic lights, unless signed otherwise
Gaps	Leave at least three metres between your vehicle and a solid centre dividing line or another vehicle
Yellow edge line	Do not stop on the side of the road marked with one
Double parking	Illegal at any time

How do I read a parking sign?

The Shire says parking signs are designed to be read top to bottom and left to right. The most important restriction is often at the top, but you need to read the whole sign, because restrictions can differ by time of day or day of the week. Check the arrows too. In a timed area, the Shire says to note the time you parked, because timed parking begins when you park, not when you get out of the car. It says the rules keep turnover consistent in high-activity areas, keep school zones and crossings clear and keep access open for emergency vehicles.

What about school drop-off zones?

The Shire says No Parking (Kiss and Go) areas outside schools are for short-term stopping only, so children can walk between the car and the school on the footpath. At a No Parking (Kiss and Go) sign you may stop for up to 2 minutes while children get in or out, and the driver must stay within three metres of the vehicle.

What accessible parking is there?

The Shire says Australian Standards require one accessible bay per 100 car park spaces, and that across the Shire its ratio is generally one to every 50 spaces. It says demand sometimes exceeds supply, and that with an Accessible Parking Permit you can park for double the time in a timed space. Accessibility questions go to access@mornpen.vic.gov.au.

The Shire’s permit page says Victoria is moving to a new Accessible Parking Permit scheme and online system. To apply, renew or replace a permit as an individual, you start an application at accessibleparking.vic.gov.au and receive a reference number by SMS (a paper form exists for people without a phone or the internet). You take the number to your GP or occupational therapist, who completes an online assessment. The Shire then issues the permit, which is posted to you if approved. The new scheme includes temporary permits for 6, 12 or 24 months and permits of five years, up from three, for individuals.

What if I get a parking fine?

The Shire says all actions must be taken before the due date on the infringement. If you do not act, the fine may incur additional statutory costs and may be referred to Fines Victoria, which may add further costs.

Option	What the Shire says
Pay	Online, with the infringement number, or by other payment methods listed on the Shire’s page
View photographs	Online, with the seven-digit infringement number and the vehicle registration; photographs may take up to 24 hours to appear, and until the end of the next business day for weekend or public holiday offences
Nominate another driver	If you were not driving at the time
Appeal	By written request or appeal about the issuing of the notice
Extension or payment plan	If you cannot pay by the due date
Court hearing	You can elect to have the matter heard in the Magistrates’ Court
Work and Development Permit; Family Violence Scheme	Options for vulnerable or disadvantaged people and for victim survivors of family violence

If Fines Victoria writes to you, for example with a Notice of Final Demand, the Shire says to contact Fines Victoria as soon as possible, because an Enforcement Warrant may be issued if you do not make contact or pay in full. Fines Victoria’s number on the Shire’s page is 03 9200 8111. The Shire’s fines page also notes that a number of parking infringements were withdrawn after an administrative error, and that affected customers were contacted in writing.

Where can I report a parking problem?

The Shire says you can report a parking concern or an illegally parked vehicle online, through its customer service team on 1300 850 600, or by email to customerservice@mornpen.vic.gov.au. You can also ask for a review of current parking restrictions.

What has not been confirmed?

• The Parking Management Policy: the Shire gives no date or content.
• Time limits at each car park: the pages read give examples (2P, 4P), not a list; the signs apply.
• Any paid parking elsewhere on the Peninsula: the pages read cover only the three pilot sites, so check the signs at other car parks.

Sources

• Mornington Peninsula Shire — Visitor Paid Parking (pilot end, free parking, policy, figures; checked 9 November 2026)
• Mornington Peninsula Shire — Parking enquiries (rules, signs, school zones, accessible bays, reporting; checked 9 November 2026)
• Mornington Peninsula Shire — Disabled parking permit (permit scheme; checked 9 November 2026)
• Mornington Peninsula Shire — Infringements and fines (paying, options, Fines Victoria; checked 9 November 2026)

Featured image: Flinders Pier (photo: Daniel Kabel / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)

OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Mornington Peninsula Shire or Fines Victoria. Rules and fees can change; check the Shire’s website before you go.