Our Location
Visiting the Mornington Peninsula
Only an hour from Melbourne yet a world away, the dazzling Mornington Peninsula boasts 260+ kilometres of coastline including everything from family friendly, sandy bay beaches to wild, rugged surf, vibrant seaside villages, charming hinterland hamlets full of boutique wineries and acclaimed restaurants, craft markets, art galleries, renowned golf courses, geothermal mineral springs and pristine national parks. With so many places togo and things to see and do, it is easy to see why the Mornington Peninsula has long been a favourite destination for relaxed beachside holidays.
Explore The Area
Portsea
The small village of Portsea at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula is home to the iconic Portsea Hotel built in 1927, world class scuba diving, the rocky ocean-beach archway ‘London Bridge’, surfing and iron-man competitions and Portsea Polo.
Well known for the fascinating labyrinth of nineteenth century tunnels and fortifications of Point Nepean to guard Port Phillip Heads and the spectacular Millionaire’s Walk past impressive cliff top properties to the turquoise waters of Shelley Beach, Portsea is one of the Peninsula’s most exclusive places to live and stay.
Sorrento
Nestled between Portsea and Blairgowrie, the charming Sorrento township with its imposing limestone buildings which house unique shops, cafes and a boutique cinema has been the premier holiday destination for Melbournians for over 100 years.
Visitors are drawn to the heritage shopping strip, the innovative local cuisine, the Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail, the village bay beach, the pier for seal and dolphin adventures, fishing trips or bay cruises and the fascinating, low-tide rock pools at the back beach.
Blairgowrie
Located on a thin strip of the Peninsula is beautiful Blairgowrie, facing Port Phillip Bay in the north and Bass Strait in the south. The popular village opposite the beach features speciality shops and cafes including a boutique supermarket. Fronting Port Phillip is the impressive, redeveloped Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron which boasts a modern clubhouse, seafront bistro and numerous water craft activities.
Blairgowrie also offers spectacular walks and scenery from the National park which runs along the rugged ocean coastline. For thrill-seekers and adventurers, Bridgewater Bay on the ocean-side features the famous Blairgowrie Jumping Rock and clear rock pools abundant with marine life.
Rye
Ryes main beach fronting Port Phillip offers a safe bay ideal for swimming and boating. This vibrant town has an extensive pier perfect for fishing, several boat ramps and attractive foreshore facilities with picnic areas, playgrounds and walking tracks. Rye is well-known for its traditional, summer time, seaside carnival, world-class golf courses and the award-winning natural hot springs and day spa destination, Peninsula Hot Springs.
Number 16 beach meeting the open waters of Bass Strait, offers scenic walking tracks with views towards Gunnamatta and Cape Schanck, rocky coastal features, rolling sand dunes and quality waves for surfers.
Mount Martha
Mount Martha is an ideal destination for those visitors seeking a scenic and less commercial holiday location where the surrounding bushland meets the coast. A safe swimming beach lined with rows of colourful bathing boxes and there are wide sandy stretches just north and south of the village.
This small village offers good shopping with designer stores, boutiques, galleries and tempting little eateries, and a local golf course just up the road with expansive views of the bay. Adjacent to the village is a foreshore reserve that offers an enjoyable boardwalk with an audio trail along the creek through the Balcombe Creek Wetlands – home to a rich selection of birdlife. The boardwalk ends at The Briars. This property is known for its 1840s homestead, bushland and wetland trails that take in several bird hides and provide very peaceful walks. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as wallabies and native birds. Also of interest to nature lovers is 50-hectare Mount Martha Park which consists of 53 hectares of native bushland and walking trails around the 160 metre highest point of Mount Martha with panoramic views of the west over Port Phillip and south towards Arthurs Seat.
Red Hill and Surrounds
A number of tranquil, rural communities are located in the hinterland of the Mornington Peninsula and feature landscape consisting of scenic hills, farmland and native bushland. Within this stunning region, you will find flourishing olive groves, orchards, vineyards, restaurants, gourmet produce stores, boutique shops and art galleries.
Pick strawberries at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, select homemade creations at Red Hill community Market, hop from one cellar door to the next, enjoy horseback trail rides, indulge in fresh local produce or challenge yourself with tree-surfing and natural mazes at the Enchanted Adventure Garden. With so many activities and attractions, this delightful pocket of the Peninsula offers something for everyone.
