Things to do
You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to eating, drinking and soaking up the sun along the Mornington Peninsula. However, just in case you need some inspiration, here are a few of our favourites places to eat, drink and relax…
Eat & Drink
Montalto
33 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South VIC 3937
In addition to producing delicious wine, Montalto has two dining options - a more formal dining experience at the Restaurant and a more casual option at the Piazza (a walk-in cafe). We highly recommend going for a stroll amongst the vines, kitchen garden and sculptures if you visit!
Paradigm Hill
26 Merricks Rd, Merricks VIC 3916
A small family run vineyard and winery on the Mornington Peninsula which strives for purity of varietal expression in each of their wines.
Drop in for a wine tasting and chacuterie board and enjoy the beautiful vista!
Polperro Winery
150 Red Hill Rd, Red Hill VIC 3937
What began as a wine brand creating drinkable, balanced and elegant wines in 2006 has now turned into a new cellar door, a restaurant and a cosy place to stay in the best part of the world.
Polperro’s restaurant offers fresh, textural and seasonal flavours with an emphasis on where the food comes from and how it is grown, whilst a more casual ‘lawn menu’ is available for visitors wanting to enjoy snacks and wine on the property’s expansive lawn areas.
Panton Vineyard
11 Shoreham Rd, Shoreham VIC 3916
A picturesque, family-owned vineyard and cellar door located in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula. Panton Vineyard’s Cellar Door showcases premium single vineyard wines and offers local produce platters in an intimate, picturesque setting in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula.
Red Hill Brewery
88 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South VIC 3937
Located amidst its own hop garden on top of Red Hill, the Red Hill Brewery’s philosophy is to brew beers that are ‘sessionable’ and a pleasure to drink.
The brewery also serves a southern style barbecue which we guarantee will satisfy all forms of meat, potato and salt cravings!
Tucks Wine
37 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South VIC 3937
Enjoy beautiful wine and relaxed meals amongst breathtaking vineyard views.
The Mornington Peninsula is a unique winemaking region in Australia, blessed by warm days, cool nights and ocean breezes. Tucks Wine is renowned for producing exceptional pinot noir and chardonnay, and also likes to play with other varietals including pinot gris, sauvignon and shiraz.
Merricks General Wine Store
3460 Frankston - Flinders Rd, Merricks VIC 3916
The Merricks General Wine Store is a Peninsula icon. Since the 1920s it has been a meeting place and store for the local community and visitors.
Breakfast, lunch, coffee and home made baked treats are all worth trying here (and with a lovely glass of local wine if you feel so inclined!).
We highly recommend the croque monsieur!
Rare Hare at Willow Creek Vineyard
166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North VIC 3926
Rare Hare boasts indoor and outdoor dining overlooking the vine-laced hills and across to Jackalope Hotel’s striking silhouette. A hand-crafted wood-fired oven takes pride of place in the dining space.
Executive Chef, Guy Stanaway crafts seasonal dishes highlighting the finest local produce.
Beaches
Bushrangers Bay
Accessible via the Bushrangers Bay walking track (off Boneo Rd, Cape Schanck VIC 3939)
There are lots of places to swim on the Mornington Peninsula, but places like Bushrangers Bay are a little harder to find, which is what makes them so special.
Bushrangers Bay is named after two escaped convicts and has a hiking trail that runs from Cape Schanck Lighthouse to Boneo Road. There are car parks at either end; the rock pools are located in the middle of the trail, near a large outcrop called Elephant Rock.
Walk along the basalt cliffs and cool off in the water at low tide. The rock pools here come in many shapes and sizes – some as big and deep as full-size pools, others small enough for just one to bathe in – all with ocean views
Crunchie point
Accessible via Western Pde, Point Leo VIC 3916
The lookout at Crunchie Point gives onlookers fantastic views of the Western Port coastline and the bay.
This is also a highly recommended spot for beginner surfers!
Somers Beach
The Boulevard, Somers VIC 3927
All three sections of Somers beach face south into the Western Passage of Western Port and overlook Phillip Island. The beach is often narrow and steep with deep water at high tide and sand and reef flats exposed at low tide. Small yachts and sail boats are commonly seen off the beach.
Good for swimming and relaxing but some areas can be a bit rocky - so watch out for those bits!
Portsea Back Beach
Back Beach Rd, Portsea VIC 3944
Stunning surf beach with incredible views.
If you aren’t a strong swimmer, we would suggest enjoying this special place from the shore!
Pearses Beach
Accessible via the Jack Ritchie Track (off Dana Avenue, Blairgowrie VIC 3942)
Only accessible via the coastal walk or sand dune track, you can surf on the offshore reefs at high tide or go for a dip during mid to high tide. Keep your eyes out for the rocks and reefs that can pop up on and offshore.
Very secluded and special.
Shelley Beach
4 Hemston Ave, Portsea VIC 3944
Nestled beyond the tea-trees, Shelley Beach is a much loved sandy beach with private jetties and colourful bathing boxes.
There are two access ramps leading down the cliff to the beach, but extremely limited parking makes this a very exclusive beach.
This is a great spot for kids (and big kids!) who like to paddle about in the shallows and build sandcastles.