Collin 1803 Settlement - Parks Victoria

Collins Settlement Historic Site sits on Leggett Way in Sorrento, nestled in coastal scrub along the Port Phillip foreshore. It marks the site of Victoria’s first attempted permanent European settlement in 1803, led by Lieutenant David Collins. Within a year the settlement was abandoned, as fresh water and arable land proved scarce.

Today, visitors can follow a short circuit trail with interpretive signs that bring this early chapter of history to life. A lookout on the Eastern Sister headland offers sweeping views across Port Phillip, adding to the sense of place.

The area is also home to native wildlife, including snakes, so it’s important to remain on the marked tracks. Facilities are limited—there are no toilets on site, and nearby Camerons Bight beach is unpatrolled.