The Gunnery

The Gunnery is a surf spot in Victoria, Australia, in the Melbourne East area. It’s part of the Bass Strait / South Gippsland coastline rather than metropolitan Melbourne’s bay beaches, so it’s generally a coastal, open-ocean surf break exposed to Southern Ocean swell.

Typical character

• Wave type: Usually a beachbreak / reefy beachbreak style spot depending on sand movement and local bathymetry.
• Swell exposure: Picks up south to southwest swells well.
• Wind: Often works best in light offshore or light variable winds; strong onshores can make it messy quickly.
• Power: Can be punchy and powerful, especially when swell is up.
• Consistency: Better during good swell periods; not always a daily “easy” wave.

What it’s like to surf

• Can offer fast, clean walls on the right tide and swell direction.
• When conditions line up, it may produce fun, hollow sections or steep takeoffs.
• Because it’s a more exposed Victorian coast spot, conditions can change rapidly with weather and tide.

Best for

• Intermediate to advanced surfers, especially when the swell gets bigger or the wave is doing its more powerful thing.
• Surfers comfortable with cold water, currents, and occasionally heavy surf.

Things to keep in mind

• Water temperature is typically cold year-round, so a proper wetsuit is needed.
• Rips and currents can be strong, particularly after bigger swells.
• Coastal access and conditions can vary with sandbanks, season, and storm activity.