Destination overview

The Mornington Peninsula has long been a favourite destination for lazy beachside holidays, with green hinterlands and wild ocean beaches as an added extra. But if you haven't visited the area for some time, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how the Peninsula has completely redefined the traditional beachside holiday. If you've never visited before, you're in for some delightful surprises. Cliff-top mansions, lively local markets, grand historic gardens and galleries spilling over with art and antiques create colour and life around laid-back seaside villages.

The beautiful bays tempt you with every type of water sport you could wish for, from sailing to scuba diving, fishing to sea kayaking.

You can walk for miles along coastal trails, through National Parks and on peaceful country lanes, breathing in the clear and clean ocean air.

It’s only an hour’s drive from Melbourne, but seems a world away. In fact, the Peninsula now has an air that's reminiscent of the Mediterranean, with its vineyards and olive groves and historic country houses. You can travel the length of the coastlines, stopping at the villages, or just meander back and forth from one coast to the other on country roads with glorious views.

The Western Port Bay coastline has the more leisurely, laid-back lifestyle, with secluded bays tucked into its coastline. The Bass Strait coastline is known for its wild, windswept beaches with plenty of space for solitary strolls. In between these coastlines is a rich green hinterland.

Many people, however, start at the wineries and more than 50 cellar doors quickly reveal why the Mornington Peninsula has such an enviable reputation for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, now closely followed by other varietals including Shiraz, Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Fine wine is always a magnet for fine food, and here you can buy just-picked and locally made produce, or let the amazing selection of restaurants and cafés tempt you with dishes that are the perfect complement to the regional wines.

The Mornington Peninsula is renowned for some of the world’s best natural golfing terrain. Come and experience it on 18 golf courses with magnificent views of the coast and countryside. Or perhaps it’s a walk you’re after. Choose a windswept cliff-top, a quiet beach or a bush-clad path, or head for historic Point Nepean where you'll find all three.

There are plenty of options on the Mornington Peninsula if you want to be near the water. Surfing, scuba diving, sailing, diving with dolphins or swimming with seals, fishing in Port Phillip Bay or the thrill of horse-riding along the sands of wind-swept Gunnamatta Beach are all on offer.

Here you’ll also find French Island, two-thirds of which is National Park, and Phillip Island. Passenger ferries run from Stony Point to French Island and Phillip Island, which is home to the famous fairy penguins, while French Island has Australia's largest koala population.

Cape Schanck is right at the tip of Western Port Bay, and its cliffs are pounded by huge Bass Strait breakers. Visit the Lightstation museum or take the walk to Bushrangers Bay to soak up the views. Here you’ll find everything from art galleries and antiques to Victoria's earliest settlement and maritime defence fortifications. Explore historic homesteads, find treasures in the craft markets, or visit galleries set in artful gardens.

Very few regions in Australia can tempt you with as many distinctive experiences as the Mornington Peninsula. While the three coastlines are just a short distance apart, each has its individual holiday atmosphere and special attractions.

On the coastline are the busy village of Mornington and the exclusive enclaves of Mount Eliza and Mount Martha, while the countryside is home to the fine wineries of Moorooduc.
The Mornington Peninsula has been creating a rich cultural and artistic history since the first European settlement was established near Sorrento in 1803. Victoria’s second lightstation was built at Cape Schanck in 1859 (it still boasts its original beacon and operates much as it did originally) and Point Nepean played a critical defence role from the 1880s through both World Wars.
Closed to the public for more than 100 years, Point Nepean was also home to an historic Quarantine Station which is now open to visitors. You can explore all this living history and then wander through modest colonial homes and grand mansions before discovering contemporary art in dozens of galleries and studios throughout the Peninsula.

The Mornington Peninsula boasts some of Victoria's most spectactular walking landscapes, including peaceful bays, wild ocean coastlines and tranquil bush. The 100 kilometre Mornington Peninsula Walk is the ultimate challenge, but there are many other short walking opportunities along the way. You can choose where you want to start and finish.

You can explore the beautiful bushlands, spot kangaroos and birds, gaze over deserted ocean beaches of the national, marine and state parks, and discover early history at Point Nepean, Cape Schanck, Collins Settlement Site, the Briars or Coolart Homestead.

Drive to the top of Arthurs Seat and take in the incredible views of Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas. On a clear day the view extends as far as the city skyline, the You Yangs and Mount Macedon. At 305 metres, this is the Peninsula’s highest point. Visit the delightful 34 hectare Seawinds Garden featuring indigenous and exotic formal gardens, or there are a number of delightful walks including the one-hour circuit walk to Kings Falls.

Some of the lovely seaside villages not to be missed include Portsea, Sorrento, Mornington and Hastings, which are all worth a visit.

The Mornington Peninsula combines the best of Europe's coastal living with traditional Aussie charm. With so much to see and do, you may need to extend your holiday, or at least come back again.