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This coast-bound playground has a host of leisure
activities and natural delights, from watching seals to simply watching
life go by. Follow the locals to the seaside villages of Sorrento and
Portsea, to take your choice of ocean beaches or coves overlooked by grand
mansions and hotels.
The historic settlement of Sorrento now boasts a
marine aquarium, stylish shopping and great eating. While no visit to
Portsea is complete without a drink on the lawns of the Portsea Hotel.
When you've had enough
sand, surf and cafe life, explore Point Nepean National Park, beyond which
the turbulent waters of Bass Strait meet the mouth of Port Phillip Bay.
Visit historic Fort Nepean or take the transporter service to sites of
interest, including Cheviot Beach.
At the southern-most tip is Cape Schanck, with
its stunning golf course, an operating historic Light Station, Aboriginal
middens and horseback rides. The Peninsula Coastal Walk from London Bridge
to Cape Schanck lets you explore 27 kilometres of coastal scenery, while
you can stop for a spot of fishing or a swim at Sorrento beach on the way.
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The open air markets throughout the Peninsula are
well-known for their atmosphere and local produce. Take the chairlift to
Arthur's Seat, the highest point on the Peninsula, where you can eat at
the magnificent restored Arthur's restaurant and bistro. An afternoon's wine tasting at Dromana Estate,
Stoniers at Merricks, Tuck's Ridge at Red Hill or others leads you to the
Western Port Marina at Hastings and a variety of bay, coastal and island
cruises.
Winetasting |
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among the peninsula’s bushland, grazing land and orchards are 100 vineyards
which produce superb, if pricey, Pinot Noir and Shiraz wines, as well as
good whites. Wineries are open for tastings and cellar-door sales,
and some also serve food. Among the most notable are Dromana Estate,
Harrison’s Road, Dromana (tel 03/5987 3800), a beautifully located
winery where light lunches are served daily; Red Hill Estate, 52 Red
Hill–Shoreham Road, Red Hill (tel 03/5989 2855), in an equally appealing
location, for excellent champagne and light lunches daily; and Main Ridge
Estate, William Road, Red Hill (tel 03/5989 2686), one of the first
vineyards in the area, for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it serves lunches
every Sunday. For details, refer to the brochure Wine Regions of
Victoria or local information magazines
Getting there and around |
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can get to the peninsula by public transport from Melbourne to
Frankston and from there to the main beach resorts and towns along the
Nepean Highway on the northern side, but for a sightseeing trip taking in
wineries, beaches and Arthurs Seat you need your own vehicle. Take a Met
train to Frankston and change there for Stony Point, or connect with a
Portsea Passenger Service bus #788 from Frankston to Sorrento and Portsea
(if you’re staying longer, get a Peninsula Bus Pass, $35 for 10 trips.
For timetable information for this bus service, call 1800/115 666). From
Sorrento there’s a community bus to Dromana via Blairgowrie, Rye and
Rosebud (four daily Mon–Fri) but no transport to Arthurs Seat.
V/Line’s package deal ($37) will give people in a hurry a quick glimpse
of both the Mornington and the Bellarine Peninsulas; it comprises the
train to Frankston and bus to Sorrento, then a ferry transfer from
Sorrento to Queenscliff, and the return trip by bus to Geelong and train
to Melbourne. It’s best to book this trip a day in advance at V/Line
Holidays in Spencer Street Station. For timetable and other information
call 03/9619 8080
For more
regional information on the Mornington
Peninsula, go to: |
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Maps |
Victoria |
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Victoria