Arthurs Seat Eagle Gondola Ride, Mornington Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.
The family day out
A gondola, brewery lunch and a bay beach.
spring on the Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula, sorted.
Independent local picks for where to eat, stay and explore. Every recommendation has a reason.
How we choose our picks
Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula. Photo: Peter Tarasiuk, courtesy of Visit Victoria.
Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.
Gunnamatta Ocean Beach, Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula. Photo: Peter Foster, courtesy of Visit Victoria.
Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove, Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula. Photo: Two Palms Australia, courtesy of Visit Victoria.
The short list
This weekend
3–4 October
Swipe or scroll for all three picks
Context photo: Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, not this exhibition. Photo: Robert Blackburn, courtesy of Visit Victoria.
National Works on Paper 2026 (NWOP)
MPRG hosts National Works on Paper 2026 through 22 November. Open Saturday and Sunday, 11am–4pm, for an all-weather art stop.
Family Mystery Picnic on the Mornington Peninsula
Makes a proper day of it for families in a way that a single activity doesn't.
Sunday Sessions at Peninsula Hot Springs
Book the bathe and the music comes with it. The easiest good Sunday on this end of the Peninsula.
Saturday and Sunday picks. See all events, including Friday →
Play this weekend’s case
Where in the Peninsula is PI?
She took her coffee to go from Mornington pier and was gone. Ask the locals, search the scenes, read the land. Find her before sunset and the route you solved is a real day out you can save to your trip.
Find her and go in the draw for $250 to dine at Doot Doot Doot, Jackalope.Draw terms and prize details
Play Case 02Six to ten minutes. Free, no account.
Plan it
Plans to start with
Featured plan
Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove, Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula. Photo: Two Palms Australia, courtesy of Visit Victoria.
Ridge to sea
Red Hill wine country to the southern coast.
Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria.
Flinders and the Cape
Coastal walks and one excellent meal.
Explore by interest
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Eat & Drink Places worth planning lunch around Trofeo Estate, Dromana Photo: Courtesy of Visit Victoria -
Stay From a weekend shack to a cliff house Jackalope Hotel, Merricks North Photo: Peter Foster, courtesy of Visit Victoria -
Wine Cellar doors worth taking the turn for Green Olive at Red Hill Photo: Two Palms Australia, courtesy of Visit Victoria -
Explore Walks, beaches, springs, and the roads between them Cape Schanck Photo: Courtesy of Visit Victoria
Explore by place
Three starting points for finding your way around the Peninsula.
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Mornington, Mornington Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria
Mornington & the bay
Start with town cafes and the bay foreshore. A useful first stop before heading further south.
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Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove, Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula. Photo: Two Palms Australia, courtesy of Visit Victoria
Red Hill & the ridge
Build the day around a booked lunch or cellar door. Arrange transport between stops.
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Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Visit Victoria
Sorrento & the southern coast
Use the town as your starting point for the southern Peninsula. Check conditions before choosing a coastal walk.
From the Journal Service
Spring school holidays on the Peninsula
Three ways to use the final days of the spring break: gondola art, outdoor play and an all-weather gallery stop, through 4 October 2026.