If you need a short break, a romantic weekend or some time away with your family, the Mornington Peninsula has so much to offer. A little over an hour’s drive from the heart of Melbourne, the Portsea area is Melbourne’s famous rich-list playground.
With magnificent mansions along the bay, chic restaurants and shopping at Sorrento you’ll see a wide range of local and holiday life. There is so much to see and do, you will fill a week’s holiday with as little or as much activity and enjoyment as you could want.
In fact, the Peninsula now has an air that’s reminiscent of the Mediterranean, with its vineyards and olive groves, its spectacular views, historic houses and boutique shops. While it’s boot-shaped like Italy, the Mornington Peninsula is smaller and far easier to explore at a leisurely pace.
You can travel the length of our coastlines, stopping at our seaside villages or just meander back and forth from one coast to the other on country roads with glorious views. Some of the activities available to you....
Catering
There are a number of boutique caters ready to assist you during your getaway. Two Girls and a Cocktail is a boutique catering & Events company local to the Mornington Peninsula. From parties to weddings ... grazing boxes to grazing tables, high teas to engagements we can create the perfect day!! Another cater on the Peninsula is Some Guys Food
Golf
The Mornington Peninsula is rapidly becoming known for some of the world’s best natural golf terrain, with gently rolling sand-hills creating perfect contours and fast-draining sandy soils providing excellent year-round golf. Seabird Retreat is perfectly situated mid way between the Portsea Golf Club and the Sorrento Golf Club.
But if that doesn’t slow you down there are 17 other courses on the Peninsula to choose from, making the most of the natural landscape that boasts eight of Australia’s top fifty courses. Click here to view all the courses on offer on the peninsula.
Beach fun
There are plenty of beaches to explore from wild rugged back beaches that look straight out to Bass Strait to the calmer waters of the bay.
Great for surfing or to learn to surf, go fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving amongst the coastal wrecks, swim with the dolphins and seals, charter a boat or go sailing. Learn about the famous Sorrento Couta boats. For more information try these sites ...
Learn to Surf
Scuba Diving
Dolphin/Seal Swims
Charter Boat Hire
Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club
Couta Boats
Cycle
Whilst there are many beautiful places to see, cycling around Portsea is relatively easy. A ‘must do’ while you are there is a visit to Point Nepean National Park. Point Nepean is truly one of Victoria’s beautiful natural landscapes. A special place with so much to see and discover. It has a rich history and played an important role in shaping the early settlement, quarantine and defence of Victoria.
The park is located at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, with outstanding coastal scenery and panoramic views of Bass Strait, the Rip and Port Phillip Bay. Explore the military forts and tunnels, discover the historic Quarantine Station, view the memorial where Prime Minister Harold Holt went missing or simply enjoy the coastal surrounds. For other cycling options click here.
Walking Tracks
Experience the diversity of the Southern Peninsula from bay to bush, cape to point. Taking in many areas of Mornington Peninsula National Park this walk can be completed in sections or approximately 100km continuous walk linking the Two Bays Walking Track, Coastal Walk, Point Nepean Walks and Bay Trail. There is even a Sorrento Portsea Artists Trail. See Parks Victoria here
Horse Riding
Gunnamatta Trail Rides, Horseback Winery Tours, Springcreek Horseback Winery Tours and Ace High Ranch ensure there is plenty on offer if you love horses.
Food and Wine
Just drive along our coastlines and cruise our quiet country roads, and the Peninsula’s love affair with wine, fresh produce and bountiful food on the table quickly becomes obvious. For a unique gourmet experience, try Mornington Peninsula Chocolates in Flinders, Main Ridge Dairy, Green Olive or Noel’s Gallery in Main Ridge or Pure Peninsula Honey. Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm is a family must do visit.
Pick your own berries in season or sample many of the gourmet items in the cafe. Our gentle maritime climate puts a very individual stamp on Mornington Peninsula wines, as do the micro-climates which result in quite different wine styles from the same grapes grown at neighbouring vineyards. WIth 50 vineyards to choose from, many with acclaimed restaurants there is no shortage of places to explore. Visit the Mornington Peninsula here
Breweries/Distilleries
There are an ever growing number of craft houses nearby that offer wonderful food, locally produced beverages and great entertainment...
Bass & Flinders Distillery,
Jimmy Rum Distillery,
St Andrews Beach Brewery,
Hickinbotham of Dromana,
Jetty Road Brewing,
Two Bays Brewing,
Hix Beer,
Blue Range Estate,
Tar Barrel Brewery,
Peninsula Beverage,
Chief's Son,
Original Spirit,
Sorrento Brewhouse.
Markets
If markets are your thing, there is something for everyone from Vintage Fairs, Car Boot Sales, Flea, Farmers, Lion’s Club and Rotary Markets through to good ol’ fashioned community fetes and school fundraisers. There is something on most weekends.
Art Galleries and Crafts
With it’s beautiful beaches, wild landscapes, rolling hills and verdant hinterland, the Mornington Peninsula is the perfect place to seek inspiration. No wonder it is a haven for artists and crafts people alike. Click here for a selection of what's on.
The famous Sorrento-Portsea Artist Trail will show you the very places where our famous artists stood to paint. http://www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org/pdf/Sorrento-Portsea-Artist-Trail.pdf.
Peninsula Hot Springs
Highly recommended for that ultimate indulgent day out, a de-stress weekend with a loved one, a hen's weekend or simply a girls weekend away, this is the place!
Plenty of spa treatments available and beautiful pools in a natural bush setting. This world class facility has been inspired by the Japanese and is a 'must do' on your itinerary. http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com
With magnificent mansions along the bay, chic restaurants and shopping at Sorrento you’ll see a wide range of local and holiday life. There is so much to see and do, you will fill a week’s holiday with as little or as much activity and enjoyment as you could want.
In fact, the Peninsula now has an air that’s reminiscent of the Mediterranean, with its vineyards and olive groves, its spectacular views, historic houses and boutique shops. While it’s boot-shaped like Italy, the Mornington Peninsula is smaller and far easier to explore at a leisurely pace.
You can travel the length of our coastlines, stopping at our seaside villages or just meander back and forth from one coast to the other on country roads with glorious views. Some of the activities available to you....
Catering
There are a number of boutique caters ready to assist you during your getaway. Two Girls and a Cocktail is a boutique catering & Events company local to the Mornington Peninsula. From parties to weddings ... grazing boxes to grazing tables, high teas to engagements we can create the perfect day!! Another cater on the Peninsula is Some Guys Food
Golf
The Mornington Peninsula is rapidly becoming known for some of the world’s best natural golf terrain, with gently rolling sand-hills creating perfect contours and fast-draining sandy soils providing excellent year-round golf. Seabird Retreat is perfectly situated mid way between the Portsea Golf Club and the Sorrento Golf Club.
But if that doesn’t slow you down there are 17 other courses on the Peninsula to choose from, making the most of the natural landscape that boasts eight of Australia’s top fifty courses. Click here to view all the courses on offer on the peninsula.
Beach fun
There are plenty of beaches to explore from wild rugged back beaches that look straight out to Bass Strait to the calmer waters of the bay.
Great for surfing or to learn to surf, go fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving amongst the coastal wrecks, swim with the dolphins and seals, charter a boat or go sailing. Learn about the famous Sorrento Couta boats. For more information try these sites ...
Learn to Surf
Scuba Diving
Dolphin/Seal Swims
Charter Boat Hire
Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club
Couta Boats
Cycle
Whilst there are many beautiful places to see, cycling around Portsea is relatively easy. A ‘must do’ while you are there is a visit to Point Nepean National Park. Point Nepean is truly one of Victoria’s beautiful natural landscapes. A special place with so much to see and discover. It has a rich history and played an important role in shaping the early settlement, quarantine and defence of Victoria.
The park is located at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, with outstanding coastal scenery and panoramic views of Bass Strait, the Rip and Port Phillip Bay. Explore the military forts and tunnels, discover the historic Quarantine Station, view the memorial where Prime Minister Harold Holt went missing or simply enjoy the coastal surrounds. For other cycling options click here.
Walking Tracks
Experience the diversity of the Southern Peninsula from bay to bush, cape to point. Taking in many areas of Mornington Peninsula National Park this walk can be completed in sections or approximately 100km continuous walk linking the Two Bays Walking Track, Coastal Walk, Point Nepean Walks and Bay Trail. There is even a Sorrento Portsea Artists Trail. See Parks Victoria here
Horse Riding
Gunnamatta Trail Rides, Horseback Winery Tours, Springcreek Horseback Winery Tours and Ace High Ranch ensure there is plenty on offer if you love horses.
Food and Wine
Just drive along our coastlines and cruise our quiet country roads, and the Peninsula’s love affair with wine, fresh produce and bountiful food on the table quickly becomes obvious. For a unique gourmet experience, try Mornington Peninsula Chocolates in Flinders, Main Ridge Dairy, Green Olive or Noel’s Gallery in Main Ridge or Pure Peninsula Honey. Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm is a family must do visit.
Pick your own berries in season or sample many of the gourmet items in the cafe. Our gentle maritime climate puts a very individual stamp on Mornington Peninsula wines, as do the micro-climates which result in quite different wine styles from the same grapes grown at neighbouring vineyards. WIth 50 vineyards to choose from, many with acclaimed restaurants there is no shortage of places to explore. Visit the Mornington Peninsula here
Breweries/Distilleries
There are an ever growing number of craft houses nearby that offer wonderful food, locally produced beverages and great entertainment...
Bass & Flinders Distillery,
Jimmy Rum Distillery,
St Andrews Beach Brewery,
Hickinbotham of Dromana,
Jetty Road Brewing,
Two Bays Brewing,
Hix Beer,
Blue Range Estate,
Tar Barrel Brewery,
Peninsula Beverage,
Chief's Son,
Original Spirit,
Sorrento Brewhouse.
Markets
If markets are your thing, there is something for everyone from Vintage Fairs, Car Boot Sales, Flea, Farmers, Lion’s Club and Rotary Markets through to good ol’ fashioned community fetes and school fundraisers. There is something on most weekends.
Art Galleries and Crafts
With it’s beautiful beaches, wild landscapes, rolling hills and verdant hinterland, the Mornington Peninsula is the perfect place to seek inspiration. No wonder it is a haven for artists and crafts people alike. Click here for a selection of what's on.
The famous Sorrento-Portsea Artist Trail will show you the very places where our famous artists stood to paint. http://www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org/pdf/Sorrento-Portsea-Artist-Trail.pdf.
Peninsula Hot Springs
Highly recommended for that ultimate indulgent day out, a de-stress weekend with a loved one, a hen's weekend or simply a girls weekend away, this is the place!
Plenty of spa treatments available and beautiful pools in a natural bush setting. This world class facility has been inspired by the Japanese and is a 'must do' on your itinerary. http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com
