THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Population: Area,  
Elevation: Nil,  
Latitude: 38.16.00 Longitude: 145.02.00
Location:   60km south of Melbourne
Highway: Nepean Hwy 
Nearest Major Town: Melbourne
Nearest Airport: Melbourne
Touring Area: Bays & Peninsulas
The Mornington Peninsula lies directly south-east of Melbourne and contains some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the state. It is a fertile rural area dotted with quaint fishing villages, golf courses, and National Parks set among rolling green pastures.
The main towns are Frankston, Mornington, Rosebud, Sorrento, Flinders and Hastings, but there are many other smaller villages of interest to the visitor.
Bounded to the east by Western Port Bay which contains the noted penguin rookery on Phillip Island, and to the west by Port Philip Bay, it is a popular weekend retreat for Melbourne residents who go there to relax and enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
The Peninsula is 'joined' to the Bellarine Peninsula by ferry from Sorrento. The ferry service operates every two hours across the entrance to Port Phillip bay, and a popular tour is to travel down the Mornington Peninsula, across on the ferry and return via the Bellarine Peninsula and Geelong to Melbourne, a journey of some 280 kilometres.
The peninsula contains several National Parks including the Point Nepean National Park, Cape Schanck National Park and the noted chair-lift ride at Arthurs Seat to the top of the mountain is a breathtaking experience.
There are many walks, and the National Trust protects a host of historical buildings on the peninsula including the Nepean Historical Society Museum at Sorrento, the Quarantine Station Museum at Point Nepean, and the Bay Forts, accessible by charter boat from Sorrento.
The Mornington Peninsula also produces several cool climate wines which are well-known and respected. Some 20 wineries will be found, mainly at Red Hill and Merricks but others appear at different places in your travels.

SEE TOURING INFORMATION

PLACES OF INTEREST:

FRANKSTON
  • Long Island Coutry Club
  • Peninsula Country Golf Club
  • Centenary Park Golf Course
  • Ballam Park
  • George Pentland Botanical Gardens
  • Sweetwater Creek Reserve
  • Bunarong Reserve
  • Moorooduc Quarry Reserve
  • McLelland Gallery
  • Sages Cottage
  • McRae Homestead

  • Olivers Hill
  • Frankston Pier
  • Frankston Park

    MORNINGTON
  • Ranelagh and Canadian Bay Beaches
  • Mornington Post Office Museum
  • Old Mornington Post Office (1864) Open Sundays and Public Holidays
  • Mornington Peninsula Art Centre: Civic Reserve, houses one of Australia's major collections including works by Dobell, Nolan and Drysdale. Open 10 to 5.
  • Balcombe Creek Boardwalk
  • The Briars historic home.

    ON THE WESTERN PORT SIDE
  • Hastings Pier and historic fisherman's cottage
  • Western Port Marina
  • Hastings Fauna Park
  • Coolart Mansion and Wildlife Reserve
  • French Island
  • Ashcombe Maze
  • Tyabb Packing House Museum

    AROUND ARTHURS SEAT
  • Arthurs Seat Chairlift: A 20 minute chairlift ride up the mountain. There are picnic areas at the summit and the base with free electric BBQs. A climb from the top of the chairlift takes you to the summit of the mountain. There are several walks around Arthurs Seat and short walks to scenic lookouts.
  • Seawinds Botanical Gardens
  • Wineries.
  • Car Museum Gallery
  • Horse and Trail Riding

    AROUND ROSEBUD AND RYE
  • McRae Homestead. (1844) 8 Charles St. McRae. National Trust property and one of the oldest houses on the peninsula.
  • South Channel Pile Light: Around 3km. from the Tootgarook shoreline it was built in 1872/4 and is the oldest light remaining. Tours are available.
  • Steam Tug 'Wattle': National Trust classified it was built in 1933 and was named by the navy after Australia's national floral emblem. It was fuly restored in 1984 and recommenced work as a passenger steamer on Port Phillip Bay offering cruises to seal colonies from the Rye Pier during summer.
  • Bush walking, horse riding, golf, fishing

    AROUND SORRENTO
    Sorrento is on the eastern side of the entrance to Port Phillip Bay and as such was part of defences set up to protect the fledgling colony from imagined raids from the Russians in the 1870's. Several forts were established nearby at Point Nepean, Fort Franklin, South Channel and on the Bellarine Peninsula at Swan Island and Queenscliff. many still remain and are used as cadet training centres.
    Sorrento was also a popular centre for visitors from Melbourne, and the aristocracy came for cruises and relaxation on the sandy shores.

    Places To Visit

  • Fort Nepean
  • Nepean Historical Society Museum
  • Point Nepean National Park
  • Quarantine Station Museum
  • Coppin's Track
  • Harold Holt Marine Reserve.
  • Take the Ferry to Queenscliff

    ACCOMMODATION SEARCH
    TYPE:
    INFORMATION CENTRE:
    Frankston Tourist Information Centre
    Playne St, Frankston.
    Open Mon, to Fri, 10am. to 5pm.
    Ph: (03) 9781 5244

    Mornington Information Centre.
    Main St, Mornington. VIC 3931
    Ph: 03 5975 1644.
    (Opposite Australia Park)

    Peninsula Visitor Information Centre
    Point Nepean Road, Dromana. VIC 3936
    Ph: 03 5987 3078. Free Call 03 1800 804 009

    Arthurs Seat Chairlift
    Arthurs Seat. Ph: 03 5987 2565
    HOW TO GET THERE:
    Take the Nepean Highway (3) along the coast from Melbourne or the South Eastern Freeway then the Peninsula Freeway (11).
    Buses operate regularly.
    •    © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins