Escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne and head out to the fresh airoftheMornington Peninsula. You’ll find plenty of wonderful things to nourish body and soul.
Mt Martha
No trip to the peninsula is complete without a stop in at the seaside town of Mt Martha – with one of the bay’s best beaches on offer and a delightful town to explore you will have a thoroughly enjoyable time. If you’re adventurous, take the walk to The Pillars – a challenging scramble over the rocks with the surf crashing nearby is an exhilarating experience, rewarded by stunning natural scenery everywhere you look.
Arthurs Seat
The gondola ride at Arthurs seat lets you take a birds eye view of the peninsula, or if you prefer to stay closer to land there’s a cruise option to enjoy as well. The nearby Enchanted Adventure Garden has plenty to keep kids and the young-at-heart amused with suspended rope courses, slides and a sculpture park to enjoy.
Sorrento
Romantic Sorrento has an array of fine dining on offer - try the Loquat Restaurant, where modern Australian cuisine and spectacular ocean views combine for an unforgettable meal, or for a more family friendly option Pizza D’oh serves up woodfired pizzas with a similar scenic view. If you have time you can also head out on the water for a dolphin spotting cruise – the wild dolphin pods that make this part of the sea their home love to frolic and show off for admiring visitors.
Finegal
Make a stop on the way to refresh yourself at the Peninsula Hot Springs – the hilltop pool with it’s 360 degree views is worth the climb up the slope, but there are plenty of less arduous options available too – from budget friendly public pools to exclusive private bathing areas. For ultimate luxury and relaxation book yourself into the day spa for some well deserved pampering.
Flinders
Take in the sounds of the surf at Flinders, where Bass Strait and Westenport meet in spectacular scenery. The rugged cliffs and beautiful shoreline is well worth spending some time to explore – there’s the Flinders Pier that offers all the excitement of the surf while staying (mostly) dry, or try the walk down to the Flinders Blowhole – you’ll need to be there at high tide to see it erupting but you’ll enjoy the rock hopping and the scenery at any time of day. Once you’ve had your fill of sea air, try stopping in at the T’Gallant winery – wood fired pizzas and well stocked cellar door await you.
Shoreham
The relaxed town of Shoreham is home to the intriguing Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens. With the heavenly scent of purple blooms in the air, you won’t mind getting lost in the lavender labyrinth, or try the circular rose maze. For a bigger challenge they also tend to Australia’s oldest and largest hedge mage, with more than a thousand cypress trees in its twists and turns. With 25 acres of landscaped gardens to explore this is a destination the whole family will enjoy.
