Discover the history of this interactive tour from one of our professional tour guides on state of the art eBikes. Our tours begin at the entrance to Point Nepean National Park and include a full bike tour, plus some self guided on foot exploration.
Your tour includes:
- Premium Ace S Plus eBike
- Helmet
- Bike lock
- Route and Info booklet
All tours start at the entrance to the Point Nepean National Park. Follow the red flags until you find the giant trailer!
What you'll experience!
Learn the history of the 'Plague Ship, the Ticonderoga'.
A US Sailing ship, contracted by the British. Captain Charles Ferguson of the Black Star Line. Of 800 Passengers, Predominantly Scottish, with some English and Irish farmworkers and Sheppards, here for the lure of the gold rush.
The chartered ship left England on August 4, 1852. By August 12, It's first passenger had died. Poor ventilation, overcrowding unsanitary conditions and not enough medical supplies lead to the deaths of many more.
After 90 days, news had spread to other ships of the plague ship, and warnings were given to Melbourne of its condition and imminent arrival.
Emergency supplies were provided on arrival before they were allowed to land - a story etched in our history.
The SS Cheviot
On the night of 19 October 1887, the Cheviot set out from Melbourne, bound for Sydney, and passed through the heads of Port Phillip Bay.
At 8 p.m. and with a south-westerly gale blowing, the ship reached the open sea and the propeller became disabled. As a result, the unpowered ship drifted helplessly towards the shore.
As the seas were too rough, it was decided not to launch lifeboats. Sails were set and anchors put out but to no avail as the ship struck the shore at 9 p.m.
Rockets were sent up, and help arrived by boat within a few hours, but due to the rough seas the Queenscliff lifeboat was unable to get through the heads. At 4 a.m. the next morning rescuers were able to get a rocket-propelled lifeline to the ship and rescue 24 passengers and crew, however during this operation the ship broke up and sank with many people trapped in the fore-cabin.
Prime Minister Harold Holt
On 17 December 1967, Harold Holt, the Prime Minister of Australia, disappeared while swimming in the sea near Portsea, Victoria. An enormous search operation was mounted in and around Cheviot Beach, but his body was never recovered. Holt was presumed to have died, and his memorial service five days later was attended by many world leaders.
It is generally agreed that his disappearance was a simple case of an accidental drowning, but a number of conspiracy theories surfaced, most famously the suggestion that he was a spy from the People's Republic of China and had been collected by a Chinese submarine.
The Quarantine Station
Hear the stories and multiple roles of the famous Quarantine Station, from Hospital to Army Officer Training to Bosnian refugee camp and more! See some relics from the time, such as the old steam rooms for disinfecting people and luggage!
Fort Pearce
At the outbreak of World War I, additional men of the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery and Royal Australian Engineers were posted to Fort Nepean. Additional barracks were constructed at Fort Pearce and were named Pearce Barracks.[2] The barracks consisted of officers' quarters, two huts for the NCOs and men, ablutions hut, a cook house and store, mess, office, workshop and parade ground. Some of the timber huts were clad with sheets of iron to protect against machine gun fire. Come and stand on the haunting plaque in the Eagles Nest, the highest point on the Southern Peninsula!
Fort Nepean
The amazing Fort Nepean, home to the first shots of World War One. Known as Victoria's Gibraltar, these fortifications made their mark in 1873 and was full operational by 1980. Explore its tunnels and hear the haunting narrative and find out why Melbourne became known for a short while as the best defended commercial city of the British Empire!
Wildlife
See nature in action with wallabies, echidnas, birdlife, marine mammals and more as we hit the trails and shores of this amazing environment with your informative tour guide!
An Australian experience not to be missed!
