Attractions
Wineries - Over 200 vineyards on the Peninsula. So come and sample at 50 cellar doors - try the hallmark Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with excellent Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Semillon, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Visit Mornington Peninsula's only microbrewery for beer tasting and dining. Then settle down for lunch or dinner at a vineyard, and experience how our chefs bring together the inspirational produce and wine that surrounds them. Winery Tours are also available on the Peninsula.
Art & Crafts - Military fortifications were first established in Victoria in the 1880s - right here at Point Nepean. Memorabilia and furniture owned by Napoleon Bonaparte is still here, in one of our historic estates.
Australia's largest antique centre is on the Mornington Peninsula, and virtually every village is home to art and craft galleries. Our markets are spilling over with the work of local craftspeople and artisans, along with the edible arts of our gourmet food producers. So if you'd like to indulge in a little browsing and buying during your stay, we have much to tempt you with! If you're looking for collectables and beautiful pieces for your home, our galleries stock everything from hand-painted tiles, glassware and ceramics to sculpture, traditional paintings and contemporary works. Antique outlets are filled with fine furniture, sparkling crystal and china, estate jewellery and exquisite antique linen and lace.
Click here for a brochure containing some of the art galleries on the peninsula.
Craft Markets - Approximately 17 different Markets held throughout the month including weekends and Wednesday mornings.
Activities - Want to thunder along a beach on horseback as the waves roll in beside you? Slip silently through the water in a sea kayak, paddling where the dolphins play? Go skydiving, scuba diving, surfing or fishing for the big ones? With magnificent landscapes to explore and the sea almost surrounding us, the Mornington Peninsula has about as much adventure as you can take. We specialise in softer adventure too.
What about taking a tour of our wineries on horseback, sipping the Peninsula's celebrated Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs as you go. Or sailing in a luxury craft around our bays, where the vast cliff-top mansions give our coastline a feeling that's certainly more Mediterranean than Melbourne. (But unlike the Mediterranean, we're only an hour from Melbourne.) You can bring your own bike or hire one of ours, and ride almost to the tip of Point Nepean where the waters of Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait collide. French Island is another cyclists' paradise - it's two feet or two wheels, and no cars allowed. There are several Horse Riding Ranches on the Morninton Peninsula which vary from bush to beach. Approximately 50 kilometres of Surf beach, ranging from Portsea to Balnarring. Ten Pin bowling or Lawn Bowls are both catered for on the Beautiful Mornington Peninsula. The Peninsula also has charters for Dolphin and seal swims. If your interest is fishing the Mornington Peninsula has many Fishing Charters/Boats as well.
Historical Sites - Military fortifications were first established in Victoria in the 1880s. If history is your passion, the 'must see' attractions are Point Nepean and its fortifications from both World Wars. The story of Victoria's first European settlement is told at the Collins Settlement Historic Site near Sorrento, while there's plenty of maritime history in the museum at Cape Schanck Lightstation.
Theatre and the Arts - The Mornington Peninsula caters for all with options ranging from Stage Performances, the Drive-In at Dromana and Cinema Complexes.
Restaurants - A wide variety of options is on offer on the Mornington Peninsula ranging from counter meals to A-La-Carte dining inculding Theatre Restaurants as well as Cruising the bay in Luxury, whilst enjoying the atmosphere. Mornington Peninsula Dining Guide
Gardens - Three of our most famous estates are maze gardens, which also feature water gardens, wetlands with native birds, a maze for children, a 'maize maze' in autumn, a rose maze, rose gardens, outdoor sculptures, garden chess and cafes. Others are heritage gardens, with mansions and homesteads dating back to the 1800s and surrounded by classic gardens, natural bushlands and wetlands that are the favourite haunts of thousands of birds. A few that might ring a bell are the Ashcombe Maze, Boneo Maze and Wetlands Centre, Heronswood and the Enchanted Maze. Click here to obtain the details on all the gardens.
Boat / Ferry Services - A relaxing way to see the sites is the car ferry to Queenscliff and the off along Great Ocean Road, there is also the Inter Island passenger ferry which travels to French and Phillip Island.
Service Clubs - RSL Clubs are available for Pokie Machines, Meals and Light Entertainment
Peninsula Visitor Information Centre
PO Box 192, Point Nepean Road, Dromana VIC 3936
Tel: +61 3 59873078 Fax: +61 3 5987 3726
Email: info@tourism.mornpen.vic.gov.au