Mornington Peninsula
Melbourne's Beach and Wine Peninsula
On the lands of the Bunurong people.
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
A hooked finger of land south of Melbourne, ringed by calm bay beaches on one side and Bass Strait surf coast on the other. Wine country in the middle, hot springs in the south.
The Mornington Peninsula sits an hour south of Melbourne, between Port Phillip Bay and Western Port. The bay side has the calm sheltered beaches that Melburnians grew up on (Sorrento, Portsea, Mount Martha), with their famous brightly painted bathing boxes. The ocean side, on Bass Strait, has surf beaches and the wild cliffs of Cape Schanck. The interior of the peninsula is rolling cool-climate wine country with around 50 cellar doors, mostly producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Peninsula Hot Springs, a natural geothermal spring complex south of Rye, is one of the largest of its kind in the country. The Arthur's Seat State Park summit and chairlift offer the best aerial views over both the bay and the peninsula. The Sorrento to Queenscliff ferry connects the peninsula to the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road, eliminating the need to drive back through Melbourne.
Most of the peninsula is reachable as a day trip from Melbourne, but staying overnight in Sorrento, Portsea or one of the wine country guesthouses is the more relaxed option.
Tourist locations
Places to visit in Mornington Peninsula.
6 locations to explore
Arthurs Seat Eagle
Soaring views over the bay
From $32.50 adult return (online price)
Full guide arrow_forwardAshcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens
Lose yourself in lavender
From $22 adult, $14 child (4-15 years)
Full guide arrow_forwardCape Schanck Lighthouse
History on the wild coast
Reserve free; tower climb $17 adult, $9 child (3-14 years)
Full guide arrow_forwardEnchanted Adventure Garden
Tree surfing and garden mazes
From $35 adult general admission
Full guide arrow_forwardMoonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park
Meet endangered Australian wildlife
From $37 adult, $19 child (4-17 years)
Full guide arrow_forwardPeninsula Hot Springs
Soak in geothermal bliss
From $60 adult (Bath House Revitalise)
Full guide arrow_forwardWhere to stay
Holiday parks near Mornington Peninsula.
1 option via our booking partner
Bookings handled by our partner Parkbooker. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Scenic views
Lookouts near Mornington Peninsula.
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Attribution
Sources & credits
Content (1)
Images (2)
- Mornington Peninsula Walk, Fowlers Beach, Blairgowrie, Victo... · Kgbo · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mornington Peninsula Walk, Fowlers Beach, Blairgowrie, Victo... · Kgbo · CC BY-SA 4.0
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