Mornington Peninsula Melbourne
The Mornington Peninsula, a boot-shaped region between Port Phillip and Western Port Bays, is a little over an hour’s drive from the city centre. The narrow spit of land at the end of the peninsula has both calm beaches on Port Phillip Bay (known as ‘the front beaches’) and rugged, beautiful ocean beaches (known as ‘the back beaches’).
On the bay side, you can stop in several harbours and villages such as Frankston, Mornington, Portsea and Sorrento. These charming towns boast excellent boutiques and galleries as well as stylish sidewalk cafés and eateries. In Sorrento you can catch a cruise to discover Port Phillip Bay and swim with wild dolphins. Just a little suggestion before you leave for the sea: take a look around and admire the fine 19th century buildings of the town.
On the coastal strip, visit the Mornington Peninsula National Park. The park showcases stunning walking tracks overlooking the ocean and great surf beaches. Even if you don’t ride the waves, you will still enjoy watching some keen surfers.
For wine tasting, head inland and explore abundant vineyards and orchards in a picturesque blend of rolling hills, green pastures and dense forests. You can easily take a drive around and make your own winery tour. Don’t forget to try some delicious local produce.
Mornington Peninsula is full of delightful surprises at every corner. Lavish cliff top mansions, lighthouses, local markets, grand historic gardens and galleries, superb golf courses, terraced vineyard and colourful beach cabins are just a few of the ornaments of the region.
It is also a wonderful place for outdoor activities such as hiking, surfing, swimming, dolphin cruises, diving, and horse riding. So, there is no excuse, here you can only have a good time!
The Nepean Highway and the Mornington Peninsula Freeway run all the way around Port Phillip Bay from the city to Portsea, and this is the most direct route to the peninsula. The Met’s suburban train from the city to Frankston takes about an hour.
From Frankston train station, Portsea Passenger Buses (ph: +61 03 5986 5666) runs buses between Frankston and Portsea.
- Mornington Peninsula National Park: several walking tracks and finest seascapes.
- Wine tasting: in one the wineries with cellar-door sales – some also serve food
- Pick your own berries at one of the many farms
- Swimming with dolphins from Sorrento
- Sorrento Museum: uncover European and Aboriginal heritage of the area
- Galleries & craft markets at Red Hill and Mornington
- Cliff-top walks at Portsea
- Fort Nepean at Portsea
- The Quarantine Station Museum at Portsea
- The Blowhole Walk: over huge bluestone boulders near Flinders
- Walk the Bushranger Bay Trail: start at the car park at Cape Schank
- Scuba-diving: Portsea is a very popular spot
- Take a dip in the sea
- Surf at Point Leo
