WINE - Kerri Greens, Merricks
The single-vineyard Pinot Noir at Kerri Greens is worth the drive to Merricks right now. Spring means the vines have just broken bud and the cellar door is quiet enough that Tom McCarthy or Lucas Blanck will actually talk you through the current release rather than move you along.
The room runs like a wine bar rather than a formal tasting counter. Order the single-vineyard Pinot, let it sit for ten minutes, and then drink it - the lighter-style fruit opens up rather than hits. Pair it with a small plate if the kitchen is running. This is not a place to rush through on the way to somewhere else; the format rewards staying.
Kerri Greens is on Harrisons Road, Merricks. Allow ninety minutes minimum. Check the website for current opening days before you go.
Pair the afternoon with a stop at Merricks General Wine Store on the way home for something to compare.
WALK - Olivers Hill Bluff, Frankston South
The Olivers Hill clifftop track along Port Phillip’s western shore is at its best in the third week of September. The coastal tea-tree is in flower, the grass on the bluff edge has come back green after winter, and the water is the particular grey-blue it holds before the bay warms up in October.
The track runs south from the Olivers Hill Reserve car park on Esplanade, Frankston South. The clifftop section gives you open views across to the Dandenong Ranges and down toward Mornington. It is not a long walk - 45 to 60 minutes return - but the elevation change off the bluff and the wildflower scrub on the descent make it feel like more.
Go on a weekday morning if you can. This spot fills with dog walkers and families by 9 a.m. on weekends. No booking required. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Pair the walk with breakfast at a Mornington café before or after.
DISCOVERY - VIRAL Food Festival, Mornington Racecourse, 18–20 September
VIRAL Food Festival runs this Friday through Sunday at Mornington Racecourse, and it is worth knowing about before Saturday’s crowd arrives. The format is a large outdoor food market with a strong representation of Melbourne-based producers and street food operators alongside local Peninsula vendors.
The racecourse site has enough room to move, which the Mornington foreshore food events often lack. Saturday sessions historically draw the biggest crowd, so Friday evening or Sunday morning is the better bet for anyone who dislikes queuing at a food stall. The event runs across three sessions - check the trybooking page for specific session times before purchasing.
Tickets are at trybooking.com/DPNDE. Book ahead. Mornington Racecourse is on Racecourse Road, Mornington. Allow two to three hours for a proper run through the stalls.
Pair the weekend with the National Works on Paper exhibition at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, a five-minute drive away and free entry.
Quick Reference
| Venue | Address | Practical | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🍷 | Kerri Greens | Harrisons Road, Merricks | Check website for hours; cellar door walk-ins welcome |
| 🥾 | Olivers Hill Bluff Track | Esplanade car park, Frankston South | 45–60 min return; dogs on leads welcome; no booking |
| 🍴 | VIRAL Food Festival | Mornington Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Mornington | Fri 18 – Sun 20 Sept 2026; book at trybooking.com/DPNDE |
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Questions readers actually ask
FAQ
Where is Kerri Greens cellar door and when is it open?
Kerri Greens is on Harrisons Road, Merricks. Open weekends and select weekdays - check their website for current hours before visiting. No booking required for drop-in tastings, but a reservation helps at peak times.
Where does the Olivers Hill bluff walk start?
Park at the Olivers Hill Reserve car park off Esplanade, Frankston South. The clifftop track runs south along Port Phillip Bay and takes around 45–60 minutes return. No booking required. Dogs on leads are welcome.
How do I get tickets to VIRAL Food Festival at Mornington Racecourse?
VIRAL Food Festival runs Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2026 at Mornington Racecourse. Tickets are available at trybooking.com/DPNDE. Book ahead - previous years sold out on Saturday sessions.
