the mornington peninsula
Our Region
Minutes from Melbourne
Kilometres of Coastline
Golf Links
location
Moonah Ridge, Moonah on Forbes and Moonah on Avon are located on the Southern Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia.
Rye and St Andrews Beach are centrally located to the wonderful shopping, art galleries, craft shops and top class restaurants of Sorrento and nearby Portsea where you can enjoy a Mornington Peninsula wine on the Portsea Hotel deck overlooking Port Philip Bay.
Recreation and Leisure
Dolphin Cruises
Polperro Dolphin Swims offers the opportunity to observe and swim with wild bottlenose dolphins in Port Philip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Phone: (03) 5988 8437.
Moonraker Seal & Dolphin Swims provide dives led by fully qualified dive masters and hires specially designed dive suits and gear or you can just sightsee from their spacious, modern craft. Phone: (03) 5984 4211.
Horse Riding
Gunnamatta Equestrian Centre offer ocean beach horse rides along St Andrew’s Beach, trail rides through beautiful Greens Bush, exclusive wine tasting rides visiting one or two local wineries and overnight rides.
Sandy Road, Rye. Phone: 1800 801 003.
Ace Hi Ranch at Cape Schanck offer horse rides, wildlife park, animal nursery, tearooms and you can view the International Armoured Military Vehicle Collection and ride in a Centurion battle tank.
Boneo Road, Cape Schanck. Phone: (03) 5988 6262.
Golf Courses
The Mornington Peninsula is the perfect destination for your next golf trip with more than 18 golf courses in the region and Moonah Ridge is able to accommodate up to 16 adults making it the ideal base for your next golf trip in Victoria Australia.
The Dunes Golf Links – Set amidst more than 150 hectares of rolling coastal sand hills in ‘The Cups’ region of the Mornington Peninsula, The Dunes 18 hole championship course has been designed to exploit the natural beauty of the terrain, while providing a true test of skill and judgment for golfers of every level.
Moonah Links is the newest International Standard golf course on the Mornington Peninsula and is just a short drive away. Moonah Links hosted the Australian Open in 2003.
A full list of golf courses on the Mornington Peninsula is available at the Peninsula Pages online tourism guide website.
Diving
The International Dive Centre is open every day from 9 – 5 for tank refills and equipment sales, service and hire.
2121 Point Nepean Road, Rye, Vic. 3941. Phone: (03) 5985 9365
local favourites
Food and Wine
Wineries
The Mornington Peninsula is one of Australia’s newest and most exciting wine regions. The Mornington Peninsula’s more than 100 vineyards are an integral part of its rich scenic appeal. Many wineries offer cellar door sales together with fine dining. Moonah Ridge is conveniently located to tour the Mornington Peninsula’s wine areas.
For full details of all the Mornington Peninsula’s wineries, including cellar door and restaurant details visit the Mornington Peninsula Vigneron’s Association website.
Food
Flinders Bread is the home of the Mornington Peninsula’s most delicious gourmet bread served at famous sporting venues including the MCG, Flemington, Caulfield and Sandown racecourses, Yarra Yarra Golf Club and the Formula One Grand Prix.
Red Hill Cheese offers a seasonal range of quality cheese made using organic cow and goat milk. They are open for tastings and sales on weekends & public holidays from 12 noon until 5pm.
Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm
Pick your own between November and April or visit the produce showroom and sample the strawberry fair at other times of the year.
Cnr. Flinders/Shands Rd, Main Ridge. Phone: (03) 5989 6273.
Breweries
St Andrews Beach Brewery is the Mornington Peninsula’s destination brewery. At St Andrews Beach Brewery they like to keep things simple and uncomplicated— the way life ought to be. The property is pretty spectacular; people say “there’s nothing else like it”. Brewery, beer garden, food and Farm.
A fully integrated craft brewery inspired by the Peninsula surroundings
Cafes and Restaurants
The Mornington Peninsula is bursting with great restaurants and cafes, whether you’re after a fresh and tasty brunch or fine dining. Here’s a few of our favourites that are close to the properties.
Petit Tracteur
Offers an exciting French inspired food experience matched by a selection of world-class wines.
1208 Mornington Flinders Rd, Main Ridge
T 03 5989 2510
The Hidden Kitchen
Everything handmade & homemade, from our famous pies & pasties, to delicious desserts, cakes & biscuits, everything is made from scratch, and not a menu in sight!
77a Mathis Ave, Tootgarook
T. 5985 7702
Cape Schanck Lighthouse and Museum
One of the few light stations still operating today. Established in 1857 it offers visitors a glimpse of the past. Explore the light tower and historic outbuildings.
Cape Schanck Road, Cape Schanck. Phone: (03) 5988 6184.
The Briars Historic Park
First settled by Europeans in the 1840′s, ‘The Briars’ incorporates an 1850s homestead and surrounding 8 hectares of lawns, gardens and trees.
Nepean Highway, Mt Martha. Phone: (03) 5974 3686.
Heronswood
Cottage gardens featuring annuals and perennials which are at their best between October and April. Bluestone homestead built in 1871. Plant and seed sales. Tearoom/Restaurant.
Latrobe Parade, Dromana. Phone: (03) 5987 1877.
McCrae Homestead
Homestead was built in 1844 for the pioneering McCrae family. Furnished with many original pieces, including family heirlooms and books. National Trust operated.
11 Beverley Road, McCrae. Phone: 5986 568
Craft Markets and Antique Shops
The Mornington Peninsula is well known as being the home of the Red Hill market but virtually every weekend the Mornington Peninsula hosts several community markets.
The Bottom Drawer Antique Centre
A rambling old building containing over 20 dealers. Tearoom available.
Mornington-Tyabb Road, Moorooduc. Phone: 5978 8677.
Tyabb Packing House Antique Centre
Australia’s largest antique centre. 42 dealers under one roof plus a comprehensive craft village at the rear.
Mornington-Flinders Road, Tyabb. Phone: 5977 4414.
Cinemas
Latest release movies include the best of Art House films, digital sound and giant screens. The Sorrento Athenaeum has three luxury cinemas, Rosebud Cinema comprises 6 luxury cinemas and don’t forget Dromana Drive-In for an unforgettable experience for the children.
Art Galleries
Antipodes Art Gallery & Bookshop
Books, contemporary glassware, handcrafted furniture, paintings, fine ceramics, limited edition prints, photography and hand-made cards. Open 7 days a week.
Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento. Enquiries: 5984 4217.
Aspects Gallery
Paintings, ceramics, pottery, glass, silk, wood, jewellery & cards. Daily 10am-5pm, Nov-April & school holidays: Thurs-Mon 10am-5pm, May-Oct.
2843 Pt Nepean Road, Blairgowrie. Enquiries: 5988 8876.
Gordon Studio Glassblowers
A working hot glass studio & gallery. See molten glass made from sand transformed into art by traditional hand blown methods. Open: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm.
1591 Pt Nepean Road, Rosebud. Enquiries: 5986 7044.
Marion Rosetzky Gallery
Working studio specialising in the production of unique hand painted tiles. Natural bush gully setting. Select range of craftworks by leading Australian artists.
650 White Hill Road, Red Hill. Enquiries: 54989 2557.
Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery
The gallery has a changing program of nationally significant exhibitions by Australia’s leading artists.
Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington. Enquiries: 5975 4395.
Noel’s Gallery Restaurant & Lavender Garden
Known for fine art, fine food, antiques and beautiful lavender nursery.
Mornington-Flinders Road, Red Hill. Enquiries: 5989 2917.
Peninsula Galleries
Paintings, glass, pottery, furniture, jewellery & cards: the premier fine art gallery on the Mornington Peninsula.
Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento. Enquiries: 5984 4217
Red Hill Gallery 141
An exhibition gallery offering fine art, pottery & sculpture blended with the introduction of quality alpaca products.
141 Red Hill Road, Red Hill South. Enquiries: 5989 2614.
The Art Shed Gallery
Beautifully renovated gallery specialises in unusual and stimulating artworks for home and garden. Open most days 11am-5pm.
138 Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill. Enquiries: 5989 2285.
Whitehill Gallery
Paintings, sculpture ceramics, glassworks and wearable art for that special occasion. Open Wednesday – Sunday, public & school holidays 11am-5pm.
White Hill Road, Red Hill. Enquiries: 5989 2483.
wildlife wanders, attractions and ferry rides
Other activities
National Park
Mornington Peninsula National Park comprises 45km of spectacular Bass Strait scenery and is renowned for its historic features, outstanding scenic rocky headlands and sandy beaches along the Bass Strait cost. It is popular for swimming, surfing, diving, fishing, walking and sightseeing.
The Park at Point Nepean – Portsea
Part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park and provides historic tunnels, ocean views, defence forts, flora & fauna, picnic spots, BBQ’s and bikes for hire. Phone (03) 5984 4276.
Arthurs Seat Eagle
Arthurs Seat is the most prominent landmark of the Mornington Peninsula. Rising to a height of 305 metres, the summit of Arthurs Seat, which can be reached by gondola ride, car or foot, provides magnificent views of Port Philip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula. Arthurs Seat offers plenty of things to interest every age group.
Arthurs Seat Eagle Phone: (03) 5987 0600.
Enchanted Adventure Garden
Immerse yourself in a wonderland of mazes, artistic fun garden designs, tube slides, zip lines and a canopy walk through the Trees!
Purves Rd, Arthurs Seat
Tel. 5981 8449
Ashcombe Maze
Get lost in Australia’s oldest and largest hedge maze at Shoreham. The complex is a botanical delight with tearoom and cafe terrace serving refreshments all day.
Red Hill Road, Shoreham. Phone: (03) 5989 8387.