Top Oz Tours offers a great range of Mornington Peninsula tours and experiences. You can browse the options here.
The Mornington Peninsula in Regional Victoria offers access to a wide diversity of stunning coastal landscapes, and some of the state’s best gourmet food and wine experiences.
Located just 60 minutes’ drive southeast of Melbourne’s CBD, the Mornington Peninsula is not only a hot spot for tourists, but also a favoured getaway destination for Melburnians themselves. The pristine beaches, rolling rural hills and laid-back vibe are all part of the attraction. This is the perfect destination for couples, groups of friends, and families, and you can do as much or as little as you like.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do on the Mornington Peninsula.
1. Step back in time at Point Nepean
Point Nepean National Park can be found on the very tip of the Peninsula and is home to the historic Point Nepean Fort and Quarantine Station. From 1852, the earliest settlers to Victoria chased gold, but they brought with them a flu pandemic and the need for a quarantine station. Visit the complex of heritage-listed buildings, then take the shuttle bus to Point Nepean Fort to explore a series of military structures, tunnels and shooting ranges used during World War II. If you have the energy, take one of the hiking trails back to the Quarantine Station.
2. Enjoy a soak at the Peninsula Hot Springs
The Peninsula Hot Springs is a Mornington Peninsula must-do, and can be enjoyed even in the cold winter months. The beautifully landscaped pools are fed by a thermal spring and provide soothing sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Plan to spend a whole day here letting your cares drift away.
3. Snorkel around the Sorrento rock pools
Enjoy rock pools of a different kind at Sorrento Ocean Beach. They offer hours of entertainment for families at low tide with their many nooks and crannies. Explore the mini-eco systems and spot myriad marine life. Cool off with a dip between the flags.
4. Visit one (or several!) of the region’s wineries
The Mornington Peninsula’s lush hills are home to some of the best wineries in the country. The region — famous for its pinot noirs — has a great choice of cellar doors that are open to the public, along with some seriously impressive dining experiences. Ten Minutes by Tractor, Paringa Estate, and Red Hill Estate are some of the top options. You can easily while away a day at the wineries, with wine tastings either side of a long lunch.
5. See the sights on horseback
To get a different perspective of the Peninsula’s rugged beauty, consider doing a horseback trail ride. Gunnamatta in Fingal offers a two-hour ride that covers a stretch of stunning St Andrews Beach. You’ll travel through coastal bushland, over high sand dunes, and along the beach itself. And from complete beginners to experienced riders, all skill levels are catered for. So, what are you waiting for? Saddle up!
6. Play a round of golf
The Mornington Peninsula is home to several golf courses that are up there with the country’s best. Tee off at the Greg Norman-designed National Golf Club at Moonah, picturesque St Andrews Beach, the Dunes premium public course, and the private Sorrento Golf Club (which does welcome visitors on certain days of the week). A round of golf is a great way to build up an appetite before visiting one of the nearby wineries for lunch.
7. Learn to surf at Point Leo
Surfers flock to the Mornington Peninsula for the often epic swell between Flinders and Quarantine. If you’re keen to tap into your inner grommet for the first time, give Point Leo Beach a go. It has a good beginner’s wave off a beach break and is manned by the local surf club on weekends.
8. Fly high in a gondola
Arthurs Seat — a 300-metre-high granite hill — offers incredible vistas of the Peninsula from its peak, and the Arthurs Seat Eagle will transport you up there with ease. Travel in a gondola from the base at Dromana, and step out at the top enveloped by a 360-degree view of the coast and countryside.
9. Visit Cape Schanck Lighthouse
Cape Schanck Lighthouse was constructed on the Peninsula’s southernmost point in 1859 and is still in service today. While its operation has been modernised, there’s plenty of evidence of the past to peruse. See an array of interesting artefacts on display in the former Assistant Lightkeepers Quarters. You can also do a guided tour of the lighthouse itself (which will set you back just a few dollars). If time permits, there are some excellent hiking trails along this dramatic piece of coastline.
10. Shop at a local market
Markets are hugely popular on the Mornington Peninsula and they’re a great way to mix with the locals. Two of my favourites are the Emu Plains Market at Balnarring and the Boneo Community Market, but there are lots of others (just search online). Pick up fresh local produce and perhaps find that special handcrafted something for that special someone back home.
This post was published thanks to Stay and Play.
For more travel inspiration, visit www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org.
Browse our range of Mornington Peninsula tours and experiences here.
Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of the best things to do on the Mornington Peninsula? We would love to hear from you. Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Elle Vidovich is a freelance writer based in Melbourne with a love of travel, food, and architecture. She has visited more than 50 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, and believes that travel can change a person. It can open their eyes to different ways of life, make them thankful for what they have, and inspire them to make a difference.
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