Just a one hour drive from Melbourne
The Mornington Peninsula has long been known as Melbourne’s weekend playground.
Framed by three spectacular coastlines, Port Phillp Bay, Western Port Bay and Bass Strait, the Mornington Peninsula offers some of Australia’s best food and wine, golf, adventure and leisure activities. Gourmet Traveller calls it an “ideal food lovers’ weekender”, and beyond the selection of food and wine dished up by the 50+ cellar doors on our doorstep, the hatted restaurants (including two on property), the region’s array of surf and sheltered bay beaches, natural hot springs, and national parks all contribute to the perfect mix of coastal and country reverie.
The region is best explored by car, where windy country roads lead you to endless discoveries; cellar doors, secluded sandy beaches, nature walks, art experiences and even the thriving main streets of Mornington, Red Hill and Sorrento.
Discover our collection of local recommendations below.
Our local recommendations
Arts & Culture
From sculptures and paintings to unique art pieces, globally-leading art is abound on the Mornington Peninsula.
Wine & Food
Our favourite wineries, cellar doors and estates to satisfy every palate, plus the best restaurants, cafes and local finds.
Water & Outdoors
From leisurely walks to hiking trails, beaches and parks, finding spots with breathtaking views is simple on the Mornington Peninsula.
Arts & Culture
From sculptures and paintings to unique art pieces, globally-leading art abounds on the Peninsula.
Pt. Leo Estate Sculpture Park
Just minutes from Jackalope, Pt. Leo Estate’s Sculpture Park has been purpose built to house an ever-evolving array of Australian and international pieces. The private collection, alive with colour and a mix of mediums from wood to metal to ceramic tile, comprises of 40 spectacular large-scale sculptural pieces are set against the backdrop of the ocean, vines, cattle and flowering native Australian gardens,
Pt. Leo Estate’s restaurants and cellar door are perched on the highest peak of the property. Every table has a 180-degree view over Western Port Bay, Philip island, the vines and the Sculpture Park.
Montalto Sculpture Trail
This collection of 35 contemporary sculptures showcases the best of Australian artists, and acts as a permanent representation of their first 20 years of sculpture at Montalto, with some curated movements to reward visitors with a comprehensive journey over time. 20 of these pieces are winners of the annual Montalto Sculpture Prize. Free to all visitors.
Wine & Food
Our favourite wineries, cellar doors, restaurants and local finds to satisfy every palate.
Tedesca Osteria
A fixed menu dining experience based on their biodynamic farm produce with a kitchen built around a wood fired oven & grill. A typical menu might consist of antipasto, hand made pasta, a seafood course, a meat course and dessert, but this will change with the seasons.
1175 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Red Hill VIC 3937
Paringa Estate, Red Hill South
A previous winner of James Halliday’s Winery of the Year, Paringa produces some iconic single vineyard wines. Including varieties not typically associated with the Mornington Peninsula, such as Riesling and Shiraz, Paringa provides the best of both worlds with Mornington Peninsula classics such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay also featuring heavily.
44 Paringa Road, Red Hill South 3937
Pt. Leo Estate & Laura, Merricks
Pt. Leo Estate’s restaurants and cellar door are perched on the highest peak of the property. Every table has a 180-degree view over Western Port Bay, Philip island, the vines and the Sculpture Park.
3649 Frankston-Flinders Road, Merricks VIC 3916
Montalto
Montalto is all about sharing: food, wine and their incredible surrounds. Their award-winning winemaking team produce wines for three labels from vineyards across their cool-climate and coastal locations, while dining experience is expertly-designed to share and celebrate their seasonal estate-grown heirloom produce.
33 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South VIC 3937
Ten Minutes by Tractor
Ten Minutes by Tractor’s restaurant aims to effortlessly bring together all the elements necessary for a memorable lunch or dinner: contemporary cuisine, attentive and knowledgeable service, a wine list that’s been judged Australia’s best, and a relaxed ambience with magnificent views over vineyards and countryside.
1333 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Main Ridge VIC 3928
Polperro Estate
Capturing the essence of the maritime climate of the Peninsula, Polperro Estate produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their five individual vineyard sites. Blended to create something far beyond the sum of their parts, the estate has now evolved into a curated stable of dining and wine experiences.
150 Red Hill Road, Red Hill VIC 3937
Many Little Bar and Dining, Red Hill
A modern Asian-Sri Lankan inspired set menu dining experience, based on the authentic traditions of the Executive Chef Gayan Pieris’s homeland.
2-5/159 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill VIC 3937
Nature
Beaches, parks, and some of the Peninsula’s best sights.
Cape Schanck lighthouse tours and museum
The Cape Schanck Lighthouse has protected the shipping channels of the Peninsula since 1859. Standing tall on the Southern most tip of the Mornington Peninsula, the lighthouse was built from dressed limestone and sandstone. It’s cultural significance resides in the original mechanisms that are still in place after all these years. Still in service, albeit with an electric light, The Lady of History offers guided tours, history talks and museum access, the site boasts some of the best coastal scenery via the Bushrangers Bay Nature Walk.
420 Cape Schanck Rd, Cape Schanck VIC 3939
Flinders Beach, Flinders
Located just a few minutes’ scenic drive from the peaceful Flinders, you’ll uncover a pristine stretch of sand with some of nature’s finest delights. Both a popular snorkelling and scuba diving site, Flinders Beach is known for its weedy sea dragons, fish, octopus and rock pools. There are two sheltered beaches on either side of Flinders Point, Dodds Creek and Kennon Cove, alongside a leash-free dog beach and a popular fisherman’s pier.
751 The Esplanade, Flinders 3929
Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne
A must-visit for nature lovers alike, the Royal Botanic Gardens is a natural bushland experience alongside an award-winning, contemporary botanic garden.
Celebrating the beauty and diversity of Australian landscapes and flora, these gardens feature over 100,000 plants from 1,900 plant varieties, alongside over 450 indigenous plant species in the bushland. With ten kilometres of walking tracks and six kilometres of cycling tracks, enjoy endless opportunity to discover the great surrounds.
Ballarto Road and, Botanic Drive, Cranbourne VIC 3977
Mount Martha Beach
One of the most treasured strips of coast on the entire Mornington Peninsula, Mount Martha is a picture-perfect stretch of beach for long walks and swims in the sun.
The two-kilometre length of sand and water are accented by the pristine beach boxes that line the perimetre and the cliffs of Mount Martha to the southern end.
466 Esplanade, Mount Martha VIC 3934
Alba Thermal Springs
A thermal springs and day spa destination in the heart of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Indulge in the peaceful surrounds of the contemporary indoor, open-air, and outdoor thermal pools or renew and recalibrate with an exquisite ritual or treatment in their spa.
282 Browns Road, Fingal VIC 3939
Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club
Enjoy a day out sailing on board the historic Couta boat, Ripple, for an adventure like no other. Take in the breathtaking views of the cliff tops of Sorrento and Portsea, exploring Port Phillip’s vast coastline, world-class swimming beaches and coastal parks.
3154 Point Nepean Rd, Sorrento VIC 3943
Walks
From leisurely walks to hiking trails, finding a view-spotted track is simple in the region.
Bushranger’s Bay Track
A 5.4km return coastal and bush track where wallabies are a common sight and the sea glimpses are breathtaking. Bushranger’s Bay was the setting for the movie, Where the Wild Things Are, as it is a desolate and beautiful cove that was selected for its wild beauty.
Merricks Trail
The old railway line between Merricks and Red Hill is 12km return. There are lovely views over Western Port and great coffee/wine/sustenance at either end. The starting point is at Merricks to the north side of the Station Ground Recreation Reserve, then the trail climbs steadily for two kilometres over good views over Western Port to Philip Island the Nobbies.
Arthurs Seat Circuit Walk
The most familiar of all Port Phillip Bay landscape features, Arthurs Seat rises above the Mornington Peninsula at a 314-metre summit, offering picturesque views of the bay and Port Phillip Heads. On a clear day, this extends as far as the city skyline, the You Yangs and Mount Macedon.
This 1.8km circuit walk can be done in either direction or as part of the longer 26km Two Bays Trail.
Moorooduc Quarry
Established in 1887, the Moorooduc Quarry showcases the remains of one of the stone crushers that was used during its operation. Home to waterbirds and the occasional Koala, challenge yourself with a 200-step stairs circuit and be rewarded with views across the Plains.
Coolart Homestead, Somers
There are a series of walking tracks throughout the park which allow you to explore coastal woodlands, wetland areas, lagoons and the formal gardens surrounding the Homestead. An enjoyable part of the woodland walk is crossing the bridge over Merricks Creek for magnificent views from the beach overlooking Western Port and Philip Island. Walkers have the choice of four separate walking loops varying from 1km to 3.1kms that all commence from the carpark.
Point Nepean National Park
Point Nepean is one of Victoria’s beautiful natural landscapes. With coastal scenery and panoramic views of Bass Strait, the Rip and Port Phillip Bay, explore the military forts and tunnels, the historic Quarantine Station, or simply enjoy the coastal surrounds.