If you’re a Melburnian then chances are you’ve made at least one trip to the Mornington Peninsula. If you’re like me, and love the beach, good food and adventure then you may have made countless trips down the coast.
The Mornington Peninsula is a playground for all, from wineries and breweries to day spas and mazes. You can play a round of golf, swim with dolphins and top it off with a visit to one of the gorgeous beaches.
With so much on offer it’s hard to know where to start, so here’s a few of my favourite things to do when I’m visiting the Mornington Peninsula.
Wineries and cellar doors
There’s over 50 wineries and cellar doors on the Mornington Peninsula and Montalto is one of my favourites. They have many wine varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Their cellar door is open daily and a tasting costs $10, redeemable on purchase. You can also indulge in a few different wine experiences if you fancy learning more about Montalto.
If you’re after a feed, and who doesn’t love a lazy winery lunch, then grab a pizza at their piazza, sit back and soak up the atmosphere in the gorgeous setting.
Swim with dolphins
The bay is filled with dolphins, in fact it’s quite common to spot them frolicking while you’re soaking up the sun on one of the many beaches.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous and want to get up close and personal with these friendly creatures, then book a dolphin swim or Port Phillip Bay cruise. There’s a few tour operators in the area, including Moonraker Dolphin Swims in Sorrento, you can also find them on the CamperMate app.
Hot springs, day spas and golf courses
Like wineries, Mornington Peninsula has a bunch of golf courses and day spas on offer as well as some pretty awesome hot springs!
When it comes to golf courses you won’t be short of spectacular coastal views as you drive your ball down any of the fairways. Be sure to book your round of golf as the courses can fill up quite quickly.
After a hit of golf, relaxation is on the cards. Book into a day spa or if you feel like sliding into a natural mineral spring then look no further than Peninsula Hot Springs. These hot springs first opened in 1997 and have since become a must-do experience for many travellers to the Mornington Peninsula.
Mazes, water sports and a bit of history
Yes there’s something for everyone on the Mornington Peninsula. It even boasts a couple of mazes, including Australia’s oldest hedge maze which I can confirm is heaps of fun for young and old alike.
When it comes to watersports, take your pick from kayaking tours, surf lessons, stand up paddle boarding, fishing charters and guided snorkel and scuba diving tours.
If history is your thing, then not only are there a few historic homes and lighthouses on the peninsula but Point Nepean National Park is also home to a quarantine station, military forts and tunnels.
In Dromana, perched high on the hill overlooking the beach is the beautiful Heronswood House and Gardens. There’s a cafe in the historic house and a nursery with a huge range of seeds and plants.
The beaches
For me, the beauty of the beaches on the Mornington Peninsula is that on one side you have the crystal clear blue waters of beaches like Dromana, McCrae and Safety Beach. Perfect for families as the water is mostly calm, so great for little ones. Then on the other side you have the wild surf beaches, or as known by many, the back beaches. Gunnamatta Beach and Portsea Back Beach are popular among experienced surfers, while Point Leo is a great surf beach for beginners.
No matter what you’re looking for on a day trip, weekend away or even longer, you’re sure to find it on the Mornington Peninsula. With so much on offer, you may even come home with a passion for something new!
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