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7 reasons to book a long weekend on the Mornington Peninsula

(Image: Supplied)

Jade Raykovski Jade Raykovski
A place of spectacular coastlines and rolling vineyards, the Mornington Peninsula is just an hour from Melbourne, yet feels like a world away.  

Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is often voted the number one short stay in Australia, and for good reason. From its beautiful coastline and scenic trails to exceptional food and wine, it’s the perfect escape any time of year, but especially as the weather grows cooler.  

Picture afternoons relaxing in the soul-warming hot springs. Evenings by a cosy fireplace, sipping one of the region’s renowned Pinot Noirs and tucking into a delicious meal made from local produce. Now stop imagining, and start planning; here’s why the Mornington Peninsula should be your next long weekend adventure.  

1. It’s easy to get to 

An aerial view of Pt. Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula.
Spend a long weekend on the Mornington Peninsula. (Image: CMcConville)

At only an hour’s drive southeast of the city, the Mornington Peninsula offers unbeatable convenience. If you’re taking the Eastlink tollway to Peninsula Link, look out for eclectic roadside artwork such as Callum Morton’s high-rise hotel (hint: you can’t check in). 

2. The coastline is stunning

Mount Martha Bathing Boxes
Stay in colourful, iconic beach huts along the coast.

The Mornington Peninsula separates Port Phillip Bay to its west and Western Port Bay to its east, making it the only place in Victoria you can see a sunrise over one bay and sunset over another. 

Its spectacular coastline varies from sandy swimming and surf beaches to dramatic rocky cliffs. Mt Martha Beach, known for its colourful beach huts and calm clear waters, was named in Tourism Australia’s Top 10 beaches for 2026. Nearby, Arthurs Seat Eagle  offers gondola rides to the peninsula’s highest point, where you can enjoy breathtaking vistas. 

For a different perspective from the water, embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience swimming with the bay’s resident dolphins , or catch a ride with Searoad Ferries  from Sorrento to Queenscliff (the tip of the opposite Bellarine Peninsula). Pop into their new Sorrento terminal for sweeping views from its floor-to-ceiling windows and a bite to eat at Mediterranean restaurant ONDA. 

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3. Taste exceptional food and wine

Crittenden restaurant mornington peninsula
Treat yourself to the restaurant at Crittenden.

While the Mornington Peninsula is now synonymous with cool climate wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it was originally renowned for apple production. There are many orchards still in operation, like fifth-generation Mock Red Apple ; taste craft ciders (the Mulled Spiced Cider is a must in winter), and don’t miss the famous apple pie. 

Of course, it would almost be a sin not to dine at a winery restaurant, or at least try a local wine. Stop at Foxey’s Hangout  for casual share plates and a glass of Chardonnay on the deck; or for a more formal affair, the light-filled restaurant at Paringa Estate  offers a fine dining set menu on weekends, with picturesque estate views. 

Pt. Leo Estate  has no less than three separate dining experiences to choose from, ranging from a wine terrace to contemporary fine dining, all sourcing seasonal Victorian and local Mornington Peninsula produce, and offering stunning vistas over Western Port Bay.  

And opened in 2025, the restaurant at Crittenden  celebrates regional produce with a modern Australian menu that pairs beautifully with their sustainably crafted estate wines.

4. Plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors

A quiet moment on the green as he prepares for the perfect swing.
Tee off at world-class golf courses with stunning coastal views.

Bring your hiking boots, because from beachside strolls to breathtaking cliffside walks, the Mornington Peninsula boasts incredible scenic trails for all fitness levels.

The Red Hill Rail Trail follows the old railway line between Merricks and Red Hill, while the Bushrangers Bay Walking Track is the go-to trail for rugged coastal scenery, linking Cape Schanck and the Boneo Road picnic area (part of the longer Two Bays Trail). 

The region is also home to several national parks  providing plenty of opportunities to connect with nature, whether it’s a walk, picnic, or simply admiring the local flora and fauna. Golf lovers will rejoice with gorgeous courses such as the world-class Moonah Links  or Flinders Golf Club , one of Victoria’s oldest golf courses.

5. Lean into wellness and relaxation

From an aerial view, a woman drifts peacefully across still, crystal-clear water.
Unwind in mineral-rich hot springs and soak in total relaxation.

Soaking in one of the Mornington Peninsula’s mineral-rich hot springs is a must in the cooler months. Alba Thermal Springs and Spa  is the newer addition, with 25 contemporary geothermal pools, a sauna and steam room set amongst elegant coastal landscaping. Book a Night Owl session to watch the sunset from the pools, and extend your visit with a spa treatment or dining at their restaurant.  

Across the road, the Peninsula Hot Springs offers two main bathing areas, cafes and a spa in a natural bush setting. The Bath House comprises over 70 bathing and wellness experiences, including their iconic Hilltop Pool, a reflexology walk, and Nepalese mineral showers; while the Spa Dreaming Centre is a serene adults-only sanctuary.  

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6. Get a culture fix

Visit the Southern Hemisphere’s largest privately owned sculpture park at Pt. Leo Estate during long weekend on the Mornington Peninsula.
Discover inspiring art across galleries and sculpture parks. (Image: Chris Conville)

Wander the Southern Hemisphere’s largest privately owned sculpture park at Pt. Leo Estate, glass of red in hand, or pop into the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery  to view one of their seasonal exhibitions. Seawinds Garden  is also home to a sculpture collection by William Ricketts, surrounded by exotic and indigenous gardens.  

If you’re more of a history buff, book a tour  of the Cape Schanck Lighthouse, or spend an afternoon at Point Nepean National Park . Here, you can explore walking trails through the traditional country of the Bunurong people, learn the history of the old Quarantine Station and discover military forts and tunnels. 

7. Gorgeous accommodations

Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill
Check into Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill.

The Mornington Peninsula’s standout accommodations are an experience in themselves. Escape to The Sanctuary  at Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, a luxe retreat perched in the dunes above the springs. Or indulge in the dramatic luxury of Jackalope Hotel , home to a vine-facing pool and spa and the chef-hatted Doot Doot Doot. 

For a dose of European country charm, stay at Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill , set amongst lush gardens and vines with a cellar door and chef-hatted restaurant. Or for more contemporary, yet still charming, surroundings, the InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula  is a historic hotel reimagined as a luxe coastal stay with European flair, including a pool deck and on-site bathhouse. 

Start planning your long weekend at  visitmorningtonpeninsula.org

Jade Raykovski
Jade Raykovski is a freelance travel writer from Melbourne, Australia whose wanderlust began from immersing herself in the fantasy worlds of her favourite books as a kid. She started off her career as a graphic designer, before making the switch to copywriter, and now – in what you could say is the role she was always destined for – travel writer. Along with Australian Traveller, her bylines include National Geographic, BBC Travel, Escape and NZ Herald. And while she loves writing about home, she'll never pass up the chance to sip a spritz in Italy.
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8 experiences to get the most out of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road

    Louis Costello Louis Costello
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    Beyond the winding bitumen and coastal views lies another side to Victoria’s most famous route.

    There’s something hypnotic about this stretch of Victoria’s coast. Maybe it’s the way the road hugs the ocean so tightly, or how the cliffs catch the sun in colours you can’t name. Or, for local Victorians who drove this route as kids, maybe it’s the memories of winding through the impossibly tall trees as they seemingly guide you on your journey like wooden guardian angels. Most travellers know it for the 12 Apostles, but there are plenty of alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road equally as worthy of your time.

    So, next time you’re in that neck of the woods, park that car, stretch those legs and try these experiences.

    1. Discover living culture at Budj Bim

    Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism
    Walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Breakaway Creek’s Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is a masterclass in educational storytelling. Join a guided tour with Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism to walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system, where the Gunditjmara people built sophisticated eel traps and stone channels more than 6,000 years ago.

    Budj Bim’s aquaculture system predates Egypt’s pyramids by roughly 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest examples of human engineering on Earth. If that’s not enough to get your history-loving family members involved in this road trip, we’re out of ideas.

    2. Unwind in the hot springs at Warnambool

    woman relaxing at Deep Blue Hot Springs
    Let mineral-rich water heal you.

    If your legs need a break after a long drive, Deep Blue Hot Springs is your remedy. The geothermal pools sit just metres from the coastline, filled with mineral-rich water that bubbles up from deep underground. Move between open-air baths, waterfall pools and quiet zones made for meditation.

    The water in Deep Blue’s geothermal pools comes from an ancient aquifer nearly 850 metres below the Earth’s surface, which, in non-scientific terms, means it’s far more likely to have healing properties than the mineral water you’d find at the supermarket.

    3. Take to the air at Princetown

    12 Apostles Helicopters flight alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road
    See an icon from a different view.

    You may have seen the Twelve Apostles from the trusty viewing platform, but a helicopter flight with 12 Apostles Helicopters shows you just how sprawling and rugged this coastline really is.

    The trip covers everything from Port Campbell to London Bridge (not to be confused with the UK’s own), giving you a rare chance to watch waves carving the limestone cliffs from above. It’s worth noting that the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles are said to erode by roughly two centimetres each year, so the longer you leave it, the less of the Apostles you’ll see.

    4. Step into the past at Flagstaff Hill

    Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum
    Visit a time of yore.

    Continue the tour through Warnambool at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum , a recreated 19th-century port town. Hear stories from the days when shipwrecks were as common as seagulls, with an astounding 180 ships believed to have sunk along the Shipwreck Coast in less than five years.

    The night show, complete with lights, sound, and sea spray, brings the coastline’s most dramatic stories to life.

    If you’re staying the night, Simon’s Waterfront offers relaxed dining with fresh local seafood and oceanfront views. Order the catch of the day and toast to the sailors who never made it ashore.

    5. Learn to surf in Torquay, Lorne, or Anglesea

    kid having a lesson with Go Ride A Wave
    Learn how to hang 10. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Whether you’ve surfed before or can barely stand on a board, Go Ride A Wave will have you upright in no time. Torquay’s calm beaches are ideal for first-timers, while Lorne and Anglesea bring a bit more energy for those unafraid to get dunked.

    Bells Beach, just down the road from Torquay, has even hosted the world’s longest-running professional surfing competition since 1962. So, for those eager to have a gander at pros using surfboards like they’re an additional appendage, the competition usually runs sometime in autumn.

    6. Tackle the trails in Forrest

    Barwon Flow Trails Otways Flow MTB
    Hire a bike and explore MTB trails through the Otways.

    Forrest is a haven for mountain bikers thanks to an expansive network of trails through stunning natural scenery. The Forrest trail network has almost 100 kilometres of singletrack across 36 trails, so there’s something for every level of rider. That’s including more than 60 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails winding through the Otways’ dense forest. Cycle through ancient myrtle beech trees and towering tree ferns, with smaller ferns and soft mosses forming a carpet at your feet.

    Hire a bike from Forrest MTB Hire and take your pick from easy, scenic rides to more challenging singletracks, such as Red Carpet or Rollercoaster.

    7. See wildlife up close in Apollo Bay

    bush rat on Wildlife Wonders tour
    Get help spotting the locals. (Image: Doug Gimsey)

    If spotting koalas and kangaroos in the wild feels like winning the lottery, Wildlife Wonders gives you guaranteed sightings without cages or crowds. Every visit to the sanctuary helps fund the Conservation Ecology Centre which supports endangered species across the Otways, so your business is appreciated by humans and animals alike.

    The guided walk takes you through protected Otways habitat where you might spot potoroos (or joey lookalikes for those unfamiliar with a potoroo), wallabies, and sleepy koalas lounging in the trees.

    8. Visit the Cape Otway Lightstation

    Cape Otway Lightstation
    Delve into the tales of Cape Otway Lightstation.

    Towering over the sea on a cliff above the Southern Ocean, Cape Otway Lightstation has been guiding ships since 1848. Before the lighthouse was built, Cape Otway was one of the most treacherous points on the Victorian coast, with dozens of shipwrecks occurring in its surrounding waters. Pick the right day, and you may bump into a local willing to tell you about the wreck of Eric the Red .

    While at the Cape Otway Lightstation, explore the keeper’s quarters, walk the coastal trails, and take in views that only stop short at the horizon.

    And no, contrary to popular belief, the Round the Twist lighthouse is actually located in Split Point, just shy of two hours in the direction of Melbourne. Nothing’s stopping you from embarking on a lighthouse crawl, though.

    Plan your next no-stone-unturned journey along this iconic Aussie road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au.