Looking for things to do in Mornington Peninsula? Look no further! Explore stunning coastal views, indulge in delicious food and wine, and immerse yourself in nature.
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Mornington Peninsula with this list of must-see sights and experiences. Whether you’re a nature lover or a foodie, you’ll find plenty to do in this picturesque region.
The Mornington Peninsula is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. It is known for its calm bay waters, excellent wineries, local produce and numerous attractions. A wide range of family-friendly activities is available for visitors on the Mornington Peninsula.
Where is the Mornington Peninsula located
The Mornington Peninsula is situated within the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. It extends from Frankston on its western side to the periphery of Melbourne’s CBD on its eastern end, taking in several communities, such as Mornington, Moorooduc, Rosebud and Mount Martha.
Home to an estimated 230,000 residents, the Mornington Peninsula showcases a range of breathtaking shores that locals and travellers can relish. The region is dotted with many exciting locales.
Throughout the warm season, the Mornington Peninsula introduces an array of pastimes like fairs, berry gatherings and New Year’s festivities. The resident counts notably swell as excursionists and vacationers pick the Mornington Peninsula as their top warm-weather retreat in Victoria. The area is rich with venues ideal for family outings.
What places to stay are there on the Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula provides an array of lodging solutions for tourists eager to experience the child-friendly shores of the area. With its charming marine settlements and exquisite natural surroundings, the Mornington Peninsula emerges as a preferred locale for families desiring a beachside hideaway.
Those venturing to the Mornington Peninsula have a selection of accommodation alternatives, ranging from hotels and resorts to vacation residences and quaint cottages. Beyond the pristine shores, family units can venture into the inherent beauties, like the national parks and animal sanctuaries, underlining the region’s abundant flora and fauna.
Boasting elements like welcoming family beaches, dramatic coastal stretches, golf terrains, and alluring nature views, the Mornington Peninsula is a prime spot for a cherished vacation.
The Beach
The Mornington Peninsula is renowned for its stunning beaches, encompassing the tranquil waters of Port Phillip Bay and the mighty waves of the Southern Ocean.
Beautiful beaches on the Mornington Peninsula facing the bay cater to people of all age brackets, making it ideal for families or those desiring a day at a monitored surf beach. Victoria’s premium shores, like Sorrento Front Beach, Safety Beach, and Rosebud Beach, are situated on the Mornington Peninsula.
While many areas boast calm waters with sandy underfoot, certain shores on the Mornington Peninsula, such as Portsea, Diamond Bay Beach, and Gunamatta, stand out for their powerful waves and robust currents. Swimming is recommended exclusively in zones overseen by lifesaving personnel.
The coastal stretch is dotted with rock pools, offering exploration and fun for younger visitors. The Peninsula also garners attention for its fishing potential, with prime locations including Sorrento Pier, Rye Pier, Portsea Pier, and the back beach. For those interested, full-day fishing charters can be booked.
Numerous beaches on the Peninsula, including Dromana and Mount Martha, exhibit the iconic Melbourne Bathing Boxes.
Although these compact beach huts don’t offer extensive facilities, they infuse a burst of colour and vibe into the coastal line. These celebrated beach boxes are in high demand, with their value often surpassing $500,000 when up for grabs. Inherited over generations, these age-old bathing boxes seldom hit the market.
The Mornington Peninsula’s bathing boxes have become emblematic of Victorian and Peninsula locales. With its proximity to amenities like shops, restrooms, showers and bathing boxes, the popular family beach – Dromana Beach, offers added convenience.
Enchanted Adventure Garden
The Enchanted Adventure Garden is situated at Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula. This popular attraction for family activities on the Mornington Peninsula has expanded, offering activities like tree surfing and zip lining. Tree surfing involves a combination of climbing, balance, and facing your fears.
Tree Surfing is a high wires obstacle course at The Enchanted Adventure Garden. The garden also offers three different mazes: a traditional Japanese garden maze, a turf maze, and a kid’s maze.
The tube sliding, bushland scramble for kids, and 3D spooky hedge mazes are enjoyable for the whole family.
The canopy walk is an enjoyable experience at the adventure park. Visitors can walk through the treetops, surrounded by peaceful surroundings, above the sculpture walk and Splitters Creek that flows through the park.
The Canopy Walk is accessible to all, including those with prams and wheelchairs. Food can be purchased at the Café, and BBQ facilities are available.
Many individuals of all ages can enjoy the ropes course and other activities, making it a popular thing on the Mornington Peninsula.
If your children enjoy mazes, they can explore and have fun at the nearby Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens. These attractions are just a few of the many excellent things to do on the Mornington Peninsula.
The Big Goose
The Big Goose offers a variety of family-friendly activities on the Mornington Peninsula that visitors of all ages can enjoy in a fun and exciting manner.
Upon arrival, visitors are welcomed by farm animals, including alpacas and goats, and inaccessible enclosures. Fortunately, they are often in a state of hunger.
The Big Goose offers a variety of activities, including the Big Red Shed, an animal nursery where you can interact with farm animals such as lambs, rabbits and guinea pigs.
There is a special enclosure where visitors can get close to feeding kangaroos and Fawn deer.
Throughout the day, talks and demonstrations about the animals residing at the Big Goose. The reptile show is widespread, and arriving early to secure a seat is recommended. Following the show, there are opportunities to handle snakes and lizards.
Visitors can observe the sheepdog trials, where skilled dogs round up sheep in the presence of emus and camels. The sheepdogs were successful in herding the sheep.
If you want a taste of country living at the Big Goose, you can enjoy pony rides and a tractor ride on a tour around the farm. There are also playgrounds, a BBQ area and a canteen. The Big Goose is a popular attraction on the Mornington Peninsula for families.
Peninsula Hot Springs
A suggested spot for unwinding on the Mornington Peninsula is the Peninsula Hot Springs, with its bathing valley and peak pools. This locale provides over 20 distinct communal bathing experiences.
This zone includes geothermal mineral spring basins, a Turkish sauna (Hamam), an underground pool, an elevated pool, pulsating thermal mineral cascades, a communal family bathing space, a pool by the lake, and a naturally designed bathing ravine.
The Peninsula Hot Springs is a favoured Day Spa locale on the Mornington Peninsula, presenting a spectrum of pursuits encompassing therapeutic aquatic exercises.
Travellers to the Peninsula Hot Springs can select from various lodging, culinary and leisure options. The Bath House is a cost-effective alternative for those journeying to Victoria on a tighter budget.
Guests can transition from one basin to another at the Peninsula Hot Springs while appreciating the organic surroundings. Depending on individual liking for one basin versus another, visitors can opt to linger or proceed based on their inclination.
Try a waterbike tour on the Mornington Peninsula
The Eagle Arthur Seat
The Arthurs Seat Eagle chairlift is a popular tourist attraction on the Mornington Peninsula and Victoria, Australia. Many fondly remember riding the gondolas as children or taking their kids on the chair lift.
The Eagle is in Arthurs Seat State Park. The State Park is a prominent feature on the Mornington Peninsula. Arthur Seat is 315 meters high above Port Phillip Bay. As you leave the summit station, you gradually ascend before reaching the mountain’s edge.
On a clear day, you can see Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne views from the base station, which takes approximately 14 minutes to reach.
Point Nepean National Park
Point Nepean National Park is situated at the southernmost point of the Mornington Peninsula, where the bay and the ocean converge. Visitors can explore the Quarantine Station, which played a crucial role in the early days of the Australian colony, as countless individuals from Europe and other regions arrived by ship and underwent quarantine procedures there.
After a long sea journey, many people arrived in Victoria sick and dying. It was crucial to prevent these illnesses from spreading to the general population. Since Australia was an island, it had never been exposed to some diseases, making an epidemic highly possible unless the arriving individuals were quarantined.
Upon arrival, visitors can proceed to the visitor’s centre to obtain a map or audio guide or rent a bicycle. The audio guide provides information on the Ticonderoga ship and discusses the impact of the Spanish Flu pandemic on the quarantine station.
Several buildings in the area are open for public viewing, including the old hospital, boiler house, and disinfection oven. These buildings provide informative exhibits showcasing machinery, pictures and journals.
Portsea is one of the top historical attractions on the Mornington Peninsula. Visitors can explore the area, including the famous pubs and boutiques.
Pick Strawberries at Rocky Creek
If you find yourself in the Mornington Peninsula seeking activities, think about stopping by Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm. Situated in Mornington, merely a 65-minute journey from Melbourne’s central business district, this farm allows guests to engage in strawberry, blueberry and raspberry harvesting.
People of all age groups can be spotted collecting strawberries in the plots and acquiring berry-based items at the farm’s integrated café. It serves as a beautiful spot to unwind after gathering your fresh fruit.
The pricing for this Mornington Peninsula outing fluctuates depending on how many strawberries your group intends to harvest. For grown-ups, rates start at $9.00 for 500 grams; for kids above four years, they can collect 250 grams for $4. The Sunny Ridge Farm, spotlighting some of the best activities in the Mornington Peninsula, welcomes visitors every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PolperroDolphinSwims
Polperro offers Dolphin and Seal experience tours in Port Phillip Bay. Finding these animals is an approximate science. The crew will provide information about the bay and its wildlife while searching for them. Being near the Dolphins and Seals when they first appear is genuinely unique.
You enter the water wearing wetsuits and flippers. The crew instructs you to stay 5 meters away from the seals to avoid their aggression. Underwater, the seals put on a show with rolling, flipping, and darting. Occasionally, they may approach you out of curiosity, but they are rarely aggressive.
Witnessing dolphins swimming and surfing around your boat is a remarkable and unforgettable Mornington Peninsula experience.
This is a highly recommended experience and one of the best things to do in Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula for those seeking a unique learning experience.
The Sorrento-Queenscliff ferry departs from the same jetty as the Dolphin tour. A trip to Queenscliff is recommended if you have free time in the afternoon.
Moonlit Sanctuary
The Moonlit Wildlife Sanctuary stands as a wildlife engagement park on the Mornington Peninsula, presenting an array of family-friendly endeavours, including viewing koalas, wallabies, kangaroos and dingos.
Situated over a 25-acre expanse of native terrain, the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park boasts more than 60 animal varieties to witness. Furthermore, guests can partake in intimate animal interactions, like getting near a koala or accompanying a wombat, ensuring their visit to the Mornington Peninsula is unforgettable. An experience with Python is also on offer.
Additionally, the sanctuary provides a nighttime expedition, allowing guests to watch creatures of the night. There’s a cafe on-site for meals, or those visiting can pack a picnic for a family get-together. This remains a favoured activity on the Mornington Peninsula during a Victoria vacation.
Dromana Drive-In
Dromana has a 3-screen property that embraces the drive-in experience, catering to those who remember it fondly and those unfamiliar with it.
The Dromana drive-in is open Thursday-Sunday and screens movies at 7 p.m. and 9.15 p.m. A drive-in provides a unique experience where people can watch movies on a large screen from the comfort of their cars, similar to a record player. It is considered one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities on the Mornington Peninsula, especially for children.
At the Dromana drive-in, there is Shel’s 1950s diner. The diner can seat 75 people and is decorated with Warner Bros. pops and movie memorabilia. Before your movie begins, grab a burger, fries, and a shake and enjoy them at the diner. If you want to experience a blast from the past, visit the drive-in.
The venue is known as the Dromana drive-in market during the summer months. Visitors from all over the Peninsula come to explore the market.
If you enjoy old-fashioned activities, Dromana Drive-in should be a top choice for your itinerary on the Mornington Peninsula.
You can take a drive along Main Ridge
The Mornington Peninsula is a favoured spot for its gourmet offerings, wines, and handcrafted items. Several destinations are worth exploring within the Main Ridge region, such as the Red Hill Epicurean, Main Ridge Dairy, and Yolky Dokey Eggs.
The Red Hill Epicurean is a distinguished venue with various culinary and wine options. Travellers can savour diverse handcrafted dishes, encompassing gourmet pies and pizzas, complemented by fresh seafood from the vicinity. Furthermore, they maintain a farm store, enabling patrons to purchase locally made artisanal items like jams, conserves, and cheeses.
Main Ridge Dairy beckons cheese aficionados. This specialized dairy showcases a broad spectrum of artisan cheeses, both velvety and firm, derived from goat milk. Those visiting can sample these exquisite cheeses and gain a deeper understanding of the art of cheese crafting via informative tours.
Yolky Dokey Eggs operates a farm dedicated to delivering pastured, free-range eggs. With their thriving free-wandering hens, they present farm-to-table eggs for purchase. Guests can familiarize themselves with the farm’s eco-conscious approaches and explore the farm firsthand.
Embarking on an adventure to the Mornington Peninsula assures a multifaceted gastronomic journey, enabling you to savour the locale’s food, wines, and handcrafted treasures.
Visit breweries and wineries on the Morning Peninsula
Here’s a recommended list of activities on the Mornington Peninsula, which entails stopping by the remarkable Mornington Peninsula Breweries for a meal or a beverage.
For craft beer fans touring the Mornington Peninsula, there are renowned spots equipped with amenities for children. This includes Jetty Road Brewery in Dromana, Red Hill Brewery, and St Andrews Brewery.
These trio venues on the Mornington Peninsula serve top-notch craft beer and savoury dishes. It’s advised to make a trip to any of these establishments. Additionally, the Montalto Vineyard features an expansive lawn area where youngsters can engage in activities while adults savour their wine.
Visit the Mornington Peninsula for a market day experience
The Emu Plains Market, situated in Balnarring close to Western Port Bay, is renowned in the Peninsula. It runs on the third Saturday of every month from October through April and is set in a bushland environment featuring a mix of local gourmet foods, goods, and live entertainment.
In the summertime, the market lengthens its operating hours to 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. to capitalize on the delightful late afternoons. The venue provides wine sampling for the grown-ups and a touch-and-feel zoo for the youngsters, marking it as a must-visit market on the Mornington Peninsula.
Moreover, many premium local items await you to be taken home, positioning the Mornington Peninsula as a prime spot for culinary enthusiasts.
Cape Schanck Lighthouse
The Cape Schanck Lighthouse is positioned at the utmost southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula, offering a breathtaking view of Bass Strait. This beacon is fashioned from indigenous limestone and rises to 21 meters (69 feet).
The beam emitted from the lighthouse is visible for up to 26 nautical miles (48 kilometres) offshore, establishing it as an indispensable navigational tool for vessels navigating the Bass Strait.
For those venturing to the Cape Schanck Lighthouse, guided journeys are on offer, shedding light on its storied past, the individuals who kept it, and the intricacies involved in upkeeping the illumination.
Near the lighthouse is a visitor centre that imparts knowledge about the area’s plant life, creatures, and historical lineage. For those inclined, pathways lead them through the picturesque seashore, including the famed “Pulpit Rock,” a standout geological feature that gazes upon the sea.
Popular activities on the Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula introduces a spectrum of pastimes tailored to match all inclinations, ranging from breathtaking landscapes to gathering one’s fruits.
We’ve curated a roster of activities on the Mornington Peninsula appropriate for solo travellers, duos and family groups touring the place.
Walking trails on Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula, situated close to Melbourne, Australia, presents an array of walking paths tailored for diverse fitness levels and preferences. These paths weave through the area’s captivating terrains, encompassing coastal woodlands, heathlands, vine terrains, and seaside cliffs, unveiling spectacular views.
This Peninsula showcases an array of natural wonders, from hidden coves and sandy shores to panoramic spots overlooking the expansive coastline.
Some trails are designed with varying levels of challenge, with specific paths ideal for relaxed strolls or family adventures, ensuring they cater to a broad audience. A few walking paths are particularly remarkable.
The Bushrangers Bay Trail, nestled within the Mornington Peninsula National Park, is moderately complex. It takes wanderers on a picturesque route through coastal woodlands and heathlands, culminating at the mesmerizing Bushrangers Bay. This hidden cove is renowned for its transparent waters and immaculate sandy shores.
Arthurs Seat State Park has multiple walking paths tailored for diverse fitness capabilities atop the highest elevation on the Mornington Peninsula. They offer panoramic views of the nearby regions, encompassing Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne’s city outline, and the distant You Yangs.
Stretching 28 kilometres across the Mornington Peninsula, the Two Bays Walking Trail commences at Dromana and concludes at Cape Schanck. This path displays an eclectic mix of terrains, from dense woodlands and vine terrains to seaside cliffs, revealing stunning views.
Point Nepean National Park, a historically significant coastal reserve at the Peninsula’s end, offers a range of paths that delve into its military past and natural allure. Key attractions include the Fort Nepean region, pivotal in Australia’s protective strategies, and the panoramic seaside panoramas from the Cheviot Hills vantage point. Picnic spots are also dotted around for visitors to unwind.
The Sorrento-Portsea Artists’ Trail, skirting the coast, offers breathtaking views of Port Phillip Bay’s azure waters. Along this path, interpretive displays feature artwork from regional artists, emphasizing the locale’s innate splendour and legacy.
The Red Hill Rail Trail, a well-indicated and maintained outdoor route, meanders through verdant woodlands and undulating terrains, potentially offering captivating vistas of the encompassing scenery. This trail welcomes individuals of varying ages and capabilities, delivering a scenic and delightful outdoor journey.
