19+ BEST Things To Do In Mornington Peninsula (By A Local!)
Just an hour and a half from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is my go-to escape when I need a dose of coastal beauty, world-class wine, and family-friendly adventure. I’ve spent countless weekends exploring this stunning region with my family, from sliding down hills at Enchanted Adventure to sipping wine with ocean views at Point Leo Estate.
The Mornington Peninsula has something for everyone. Family fun, romantic getaways or adventure.
In this guide, I’m sharing all my favourite spots, the best free activities, where to eat fish and chips by the beach, and the hidden gems that make this peninsula so special. I’ve organised everything to help you make the most of your visit. If you’re mapping out your days, check out our 3-day Mornington Peninsula itinerary, and see our guide on the best time to visit to plan around the seasons.
The choice is yours – plan a day trip from Melbourne or stay a week – although I would recommend the latter 🙂
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19+ Best Things To Do In Mornington Peninsula
From thermal hot springs to glass blowing courses, coastal hikes to winery hopping, here are my top recommendations for making the most of your Mornington Peninsula adventure.
I’ve included a mix of paid activities and free experiences so you can tailor your itinerary to your budget and interests.
1. Soak at Peninsula Hot Springs
Peninsula Hot Springs is an experience in itself and deserves at least half a day of your itinerary. Located further down the peninsula, this stunning thermal bath complex features over 50 thermal pools of varying temperatures set among beautiful hilltop gardens with ocean views.
The natural thermal mineral waters are said to have healing properties, but really, I just find it really relaxing!
Some pools are family-friendly while others are adult-only, giving you options whether you’re travelling with kids or seeking a romantic retreat. The cave pools, hilltop pools, and reflexology walk are particular highlights.
Just remember to book your tickets well in advance as this place gets incredibly busy, especially on weekends and school holidays.
Book first thing in the morning for the generally quietest time slots (mid week is even quieter)
➡️ Book today for your preferred time slot at the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs
2. Explore Enchanted Adventure Garden
Enchanted Adventure is hands down one of the most amazing family outings on the Mornington Peninsula – and one of the top experiences on all of our travels. The property features spectacular hedge mazes that are meticulously manicured, beautiful gardens, and activities for kids of all ages. All ages, yes, I’m looking at you! 😛
The highlight for my family is always the massive tube slide, where you slide down a big hill on an inflatable tube. Even as an adult, you can’t help but feel like a kid again as you race down.
There’s also a treetop climbing course suitable for all ages, from little ones to bigger adventurers who want to walk through the treetops on an adventure course suspended among the trees.
You could easily spend anywhere from a couple of hours to three-quarters of a day here. There’s a small cafe on-site if you need refreshments, though it’s nothing fancy.
I highly recommend this spot for families, couples, or anyone who loves beautiful gardens and outdoor adventure. The gardens alone are worth visiting, even if you just want to wander and take photos.
➡️ Book your Enchanted Adventure tickets here
3. Ride the Arthur’s Seat Eagle Skylift
The Arthur’s Seat Eagle is a scenic gondola ride that takes you from the base at Arthur’s Seat Eagle up the winding road to the summit of Arthur’s Seat State Park. The views during the ascent are absolutely spectacular, offering panoramic vistas over the peninsula, Port Phillip Bay, and beyond.
While you can walk up to the summit (and it’s a lovely walk), it can be quite a trek in summer when temperatures get surprisingly hot for Victorian standards. The skylift offers a comfortable alternative and is especially perfect if you’re traveling with young kids or older family members. Once at the top, you’ll find Seawinds Garden, walking trails, ponds, and multiple lookout points perfect for a picnic.
The summit area is beautiful for wandering around, with well-maintained trails and plenty of benches where you can sit and soak in the views. Pack a picnic lunch and make an afternoon of it, or just enjoy the ride up and down for the scenery.
➡️ Check out the details here and book your gondola
4. Wine Tasting at Point Leo Estate
Point Leo Estate is a winery unlike any other I’ve visited. Yes, they produce delicious wines, but what sets this place apart is the absolutely stunning view over the ocean. The property sits on a hillside with lush green lawns rolling down toward the sea, creating one of the most photogenic settings on the peninsula.
The estate is definitely on the upmarket side, making it perfect for couples or a sophisticated day out. During certain times of the year, they set up giant lawn games and board games on the grass, which makes it surprisingly family-friendly as well. Kids can play on the lawn while parents enjoy a glass of wine and that incredible view.
The food looks excellent, the wine is top-notch, and the atmosphere is unbeatable. We haven’t tried the food ourselves as our kids don’t like sitting down… ever…. but it’s a great spot to be outside, glass of wine in hand and watch them play lawn games.
➡️ Book your wine tour to Pt Leo Estate and let someone else do the driving!
5. Discover Red Hill Estate Winery
Red Hill Estate offers a more traditional winery experience with fantastic wines, a cellar door, gift shop, and restaurant. The scenery here is gorgeous, as it is almost everywhere on the peninsula, with rolling vineyards and garden views. (Count the times I’ve said absolutely stunning in this blog!)
This is a great spot for wine lovers who want to do a proper tasting and perhaps pick up a few bottles to take home. The restaurant serves delicious food that pairs beautifully with their wines, making it an ideal lunch stop if you’re doing a winery tour of the region.
Red Hill Estate strikes a nice balance between upscale and approachable, making it suitable for both serious wine enthusiasts and casual visitors who just want to enjoy a beautiful setting with good food and wine. With kids, we find ourselves in the category more!
➡️ Book a wine tour of the Mornington Peninsula and visit a range of boutique wineries here
6. Dine at Max’s Restaurant at Red Hill
Max’s Restaurant is a bit more high-end and has a sophisticated vibe, so it’s probably not the best choice if you’re travelling with kids. However, if you’re a couple or group of adults looking for an exceptional dining experience, this is the place.
The food is absolutely delicious and beautifully presented, while the scenery is, once again, something else entirely. The restaurant overlooks the rolling hills of Red Hill, creating a refined country atmosphere that’s perfect for a special occasion or romantic meal.
I highly recommend making a reservation, especially for weekend lunches when the restaurant can get quite busy. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to linger over your meal and savor both the food and the views. Do this with the help of a babysitter in your hotel. Just saying 🙂
7. Try Glass Blowing in Red Hill
The glass blowing studio in Red Hill is a fascinating place to visit, even if you just want to browse their beautiful creations. The property features a museum, gift shop, and lovely garden areas with lush green outlooks where you can wander and enjoy the scenery.
What really intrigues me is the glass blowing courses they offer. You can book yourself into a class where you’ll learn the art of glass blowing and actually create your own piece to take home. I’ve earmarked this for a future visit because I’m genuinely curious about the process and would love to try my hand at it.
If you’re travelling with kids, just give them a heads-up that there are many beautiful but highly breakable ornaments around. The demonstrations are fascinating to watch, and it’s a unique cultural experience that adds variety to a day of beaches and wineries.
8. Visit Cape Schanck Lighthouse
Cape Schanck Lighthouse is a wonderful spot that combines history, dramatic coastal scenery, and walking trails. The lighthouse sits right on the cliff face overlooking the wild ocean, creating a striking visual that’s perfect for photos.
You can enter the lighthouse and join guided tours to learn about its history and the important role it played in maritime navigation. There’s also a small museum on-site that provides context about the area’s shipwreck history and the life of lighthouse keepers.
The walking tracks around the lighthouse offer spectacular coastal views, with the rugged cliffs and crashing waves below creating a dramatic atmosphere. It’s quite different from the calm bay beaches on the other side of the peninsula, giving you a taste of the peninsula’s wild side.
9. Explore Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens
Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens offers a more laid-back experience compared to Enchanted Adventure, but it’s equally beautiful in its own way. The property features beautifully manicured hedge mazes and stunning lavender gardens that are particularly gorgeous when the lavender is in bloom.
This is a wonderful spot for a leisurely afternoon, perfect for couples, families, or anyone who appreciates beautiful gardens. The maze is fun without being too challenging, and the lavender gardens are incredibly photogenic and fragrant.
There’s something peaceful about wandering through the gardens here, and it makes for a nice contrast if you’ve been doing more active or adventurous activities elsewhere on the peninsula.
➡️ Book your entry here to the Ashcombe Maze to skip the queues
Free Things To Do in Mornington Peninsula
Not everything on the Mornington Peninsula requires spending money. Here are my favourite free activities that showcase the best of what the region offers.
10. Hike to Kings Falls
Kings Falls is a lovely hiking trail that’s relatively easy going and family-friendly. We took our two kids on this waterfall hike, and while we didn’t see too many dramatic waterfalls (we went in the height of summer), the scenery throughout was fantastic.
The trail is a few kilometres long and winds through beautiful bushland with varied terrain. I’d love to come back and do this walk again in winter when there’s been more rainfall because I think the waterfalls would be absolutely amazing with more water flowing.
Even without dramatic waterfalls, the walk itself is enjoyable, offering a chance to experience the peninsula’s natural beauty away from the coastal areas. Remember to bring plenty of water, especially if you’re hiking in summer. I would also recommend taking a snake bite kit in your backpack, as it is Australia after all!
➡️Grab your hiking essentials here
11. Walk to Flinders Blowhole
The walk to Flinders Blowhole offers wonderful vantage points and spectacular coastal views. The trail takes you along dramatic cliff faces with the wild ocean below, creating some of the most photogenic scenery on the peninsula.
We attempted to find the actual blowhole itself and weren’t entirely successful, which we think was due to low tide. I’d recommend checking tide times before you go and aiming for high tide if you want to see the blowhole in action. Nevertheless, the walk itself is worth doing just for the views.
If you’re travelling with kids, this is definitely a “hand-holding walk” as there are high cliff faces in places. Take your time, stay safe, and enjoy the rugged coastal beauty that this side of the peninsula offers.
12. Discover Historic Sorrento
Sorrento has its own distinct vibe compared to other peninsula towns. It’s a bit more hustle and bustle with a touch of party atmosphere, especially around the historic Sorrento Hotel. But it also offers historic sites, beautiful beaches, and interesting architecture.
The town features historic limestone buildings and boutique shops worth exploring. You can catch the Sorrento to Queenscliff Ferry from here if you’re planning to head across to start a Great Ocean Road adventure.
The Baths at Sorrento is a restaurant overlooking the bay where you can watch the ferry come and go while enjoying your meal. If you’re after relaxation, the Aurora Spa and Bathhouse offers spa treatments in a beautiful setting. Sorrento is perfect if you want a livelier atmosphere with plenty of dining and entertainment options.
13. Explore Point Nepean National Park
Point Nepean National Park is rich in Australian history and offers numerous hiking trails with interpretive signs explaining the area’s significance. The park features historic forts that were constructed in 1910 as observation posts, and reading about this history while exploring the actual locations is fascinating.
There are lookout points throughout the park offering stunning coastal views, and the trails vary in difficulty so you can choose something suitable for your fitness level. I highly recommend packing a picnic with local produce (grab supplies from the IGA or Foodland in Dromana) and making a day of it.
The combination of history, hiking, and coastal scenery makes Point Nepean a worthwhile visit for anyone interested in Australian heritage or beautiful national parks.
➡️Join a guided tour to learn more about the history here
14. Experience the Quaint Village of Flinders
Flinders is my favourite town on the peninsula for its quaint, chilled-out village vibes. This little seaside town offers boutique shops, excellent coffee places, and charming Art Deco buildings to admire.
What makes Flinders special is its location on the wild ocean side of the peninsula, so you can watch crashing waves hit the rugged coastline while sipping your coffee. It’s a completely different atmosphere from the bay-side towns, with a more dramatic and windswept beauty.
The town is small enough to explore in a couple of hours, but you’ll want to linger and soak in the relaxed pace. It’s perfect for a leisurely morning or afternoon, especially if you appreciate boutique shopping and good coffee.
15. Enjoy Bayside Beaches and Try Skimmer Boarding
The bayside beaches are absolutely beautiful and completely free to enjoy. Most of the time the water is calm and shallow, making it really family-friendly. We’ve spent countless hours here with the kids.
One of our favourite family pastimes is what we call “skimmer boarding” (though I’m not sure if that’s the actual name these days – it’s my 39th bday tomorrow, so whatever the kids are calling it now!). You run across the lovely flat surface with just a centimeter or two of water and jump on a board to go sliding across. It’s exhilarating fun, though I should mention there have been a few broken bones over the years, so exercise caution!
Beaches like Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, and all along the bay offer this perfect shallow water and are ideal for families with young children. The swimming is safe, the water is generally calm, and you can spend an entire day here without spending a cent.
➡️ Get your beach items here – and be organised 🙂
16. Explore Coastal Walking Trails
The entire foreshore along the bayside offers nature walks that are free to access. You can start at various points and walk along the cliff face from Dromana all the way around to Mount Martha.
These walking trails offer beautiful views over the bay, exercise, and the chance to experience the peninsula’s natural beauty. They vary in difficulty and length, so you can choose a short stroll or a longer hike depending on your energy level and available time.
It’s a wonderful way to work up an appetite before hitting one of the many cafes or fish and chip shops along the way.
17. Browse Bathing Boxes
The colorful bathing boxes along the Mornington Peninsula beaches are iconic and make for wonderful photo opportunities. You’ll find them at various beaches, particularly in Mornington and along the bayside.
These historic beach structures are a quintessential part of the Australian beach experience, and simply walking along the beach admiring them costs nothing. They’re particularly photogenic during golden hour, making them popular with photographers and Instagram enthusiasts.
18. Discover Beach Cafes and Fish and Chips
While the food isn’t free, the atmosphere certainly is! The whole peninsula is dotted with beachfront cafes and fish and chip shops where you can grab takeaway and enjoy it on the beach.
Dromana has a lovely shopping center with gorgeous food options, and there are cafes all along the bayside and seaside. You’ll find plenty of options with million-dollar views but budget-friendly prices.
My recommendation is to grab fish and chips from Dromana Beach and sit on the sand watching the calm bay waters. It’s simple, affordable, and quintessentially Australian.
19. Visit Foreshore Camping at Capel Sound
While camping fees apply, the Capel Sound Foreshore camping area offers budget-friendly accommodation right on the beach. It’s a great spot for families or anyone who enjoys camping, with the beach at your doorstep.
The foreshore camping gives you that classic Aussie beach camping experience, with kids able to run straight from the tent to the water. It’s a wonderful way to experience the peninsula on a budget while still having access to all the beaches and attractions.
Where To Stay in Mornington Peninsula
The Mornington Peninsula offers accommodation for every budget, from beachfront camping to luxury boutique stays.
Best Budget Option:
Capel Sound Foreshore camping provides affordable beachfront accommodation perfect for families who love camping. You’ll wake up steps from the beach with all the peninsula’s attractions within easy driving distance.
Check out the webpage here for more details
Best Mid-Range Option:
Quarters at Flinders Hotel is more of an apartment style hotel, perfect for families or groups of people. The location is in a quiet part of the Mornington Peninsula.
Best Luxury Option:
For a truly special experience, book a night a Jackalope Hotel. It is high-end luxury and simply gorgeous!
Mornington Peninsula Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions I hear about visiting the Mornington Peninsula.
How do you spend a day in the Mornington Peninsula?
There are endless ways to spend a day here, but my ideal itinerary goes like this: Head straight to the bayside beaches in the morning, grab coffee and fish and chips at Dromana Beach, then cross over to Red Hill Estate for wine tasting.
If time allows, stop at Enchanted Adventure or ride the Arthur’s Seat chairlift. Finish in Flinders for a different vibe, then head to Point Leo for a beverage with ocean views before returning to Melbourne. It’s only an hour and a half drive from Melbourne, making it perfect for day trips.
➡️ Looking for someone to just take you there and plan everything? Book this tour from Melbourne and keep life easy 🙂
What is the best town on the Mornington Peninsula?
It depends on what you’re after. For beach and seaside vibes with family-friendly swimming and great fish and chips, head to Dromana. If you want a party scene and lively atmosphere, Sorrento is your spot.
History buffs should explore Fort Nepean and Point Nepean National Park. For quaint village vibes with rugged coastline views, Flinders is unbeatable. And if you’re after upmarket luxury, Point Leo Estate offers sophisticated winery experiences with stunning ocean views.
Is Mornington Peninsula worth visiting?
Absolutely, without question. Whether you’re a Melbourne local looking for a day trip or a visitor wanting to escape the city, the Mornington Peninsula deserves to be high on your agenda.
While you could visit for just a day, I’d recommend a week if you really want to explore everything the area offers. That said, any time spent on the Mornington Peninsula is time well spent.
Which is better, Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula?
Both offer very different vibes and scenery, and I don’t think one is necessarily better than the other, although I am a beach girl at heart. The Mornington Peninsula offers that seaside feeling with beaches, coastal walks, and ocean views alongside the wineries.
The Yarra Valley is more focused on wine country and has a more traditional countryside experience. If you love the ocean and want to combine wine tasting with beach time, choose the Mornington Peninsula. If you prefer rolling hills and a more concentrated wine region, go with Yarra Valley.
Our Thoughts
The Mornington Peninsula offers something for everyone, which is why it’s remained one of my favorite destinations after countless visits.
What I love most is the incredible variety packed into such an accessible area. In a single day, you can swim in calm bay waters, hike through national parks, sip wine overlooking the ocean, watch wild waves crash on rugged coastlines, explore quaint villages, and relax in thermal springs.
I think I also love the Mornington Peninsula as I’ve been coming here for 39 years… It started as a child with my family, then as a solo traveller, then romantic couple, and now with kids of my own. Ha… haven’t realised the full circle thing until now… Anyway, we’ve found plenty to do at all stages, and there is still much to explore.
I hope this guide helps you discover both the popular highlights and some hidden gems. The peninsula has given my family countless memories, and I’m confident it will do the same for you.
Enjoy your Mornington Peninsula adventure!
