Dreaming of a mini-escape? The Mornington Peninsula offers the perfect change of scenery and pace, whether it be for a romantic road trip or a family adventure! Just an hour from Melbourne, the peninsula is a destination with something for everyone, all year ‘round. Join us as we dream of a long relaxing weekend of rest and relaxation among rugged coastlines, bayside beaches, and rolling hills. Below, we’ve put together the ultimate Mornington Peninsula road trip itinerary.
Mornington Peninsula road trip itinerary: 5 things to do
There’s something to do every day on the Mornington Peninsula, no matter the weather!
1. Rest and relaxation at Peninsula Hot Springs
If ‘winding down’ is your goal, head out for a gentle stroll along the beach at Mount Martha to take in the iconic rainbow-coloured bathing boxes before an afternoon at the Peninsula Hot Springs to unwind in natural geothermal waters.
2. Art and culture at local galleries
The Mornington Peninsula is the perfect playground for art lovers. Stretch your legs at the McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery at Langwarrin, where you’ll find a sculpture park set amongst 16 hectares of natural bushland. From there, continue on to the terrific Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery in Mornington. MPRG’s seasonal exhibition program showcases a mix of self-generated curatorial projects, local artist focus projects, collection-based and touring exhibitions.
3. Connect with nature at every turn
There’s options for connecting with nature right across the peninsula, from the land, to sea and air! Take in sensational views across the peninsula from Arthurs Seat or Point Nepean. Experience the rugged power of the open seas from Cape Schanck Lighthouse before exploring the basalt rocks below. Try snorkeling in the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park – you might be lucky enough to see a colourful weedy sea dragon! Or may an eco boat tour is more your style, where seal, whale and dolphin watching is on the cards. And it’s only a quick passenger-ferry ride to French Island, where you’ll find Victoria’s ‘koala capital’, the Mornington Peninsula National Park.
4. Fun for the kids at Enchanted Adventure
There’s family activities galore on the Mornington Peninsula. For active kids, don’t miss Enchanted Adventure, an epic adventure-garden complete with ‘tree surfing’, tube slides, a stunning canopy walk, and epic hedge mazes and mind-bending brain teaser puzzles.
5. Food and drink at award-winning wineries
You’ll be spoilt for food and drink choices right across the Mornington Peninsula, with many of the region’s acclaimed wineries also hosting some of the most delicious food experiences Victoria has to offer.
Places to stay on a Mornington Peninsula road trip
There’s no shortage of accommodation options on the peninsula! From the seaside towns of Mornington, Dromana and Rye, to the stunning landscapes inland at Red Hill or Flinders; pick your favourite spot to base yourself and enjoy how easy it is to access everything the peninsula has to offer in just a short drive.
Luxurious resorts
The Mornington Peninsula is home to some of the most spectacular and exclusive places to stay in Victoria. Stay at the RACV’s Cape Schanck Resort for a classic five-star coastal resort experience. Boasting views that stretch from Melbourne’s CBD skyline across to the rugged shores of the Bass Strait, the resort sits on the southern tip of the peninsula, and is home to a 18-hole, par-70 Championship course with spectacular ocean views.
For the kind of getaway that you’ll remember forever, the centrally located Jackalope is sure to leave an indelible impression. A truly one-of-a-kind experience of surreal contemporary luxury, Jackalope is almost other-worldly in its design. Drink in a sunset over the sweeping vineyards and check out the packages on offer with Alba Thermal Springs and Spa.
Rustic accomodation
Rustic farmstays, bed & breakfasts, and boutique vineyard accommodation options await right across the peninsula. Stay at Hart’s Farm for a private, peaceful experience; make sure you sample the olive oil, cider and other small-batch produce from the farm. Located in the Red Hill hinterland, basing yourself here offers a farm-based with easy access to both Westernport and Port Phillip Bay coastlines.
Seaside hotels
Head to Portsea, Sorrento or Blairgowrie for a true ‘holiday house’ of luxury hotel seaside experience and take in everything that these exclusive locations have to offer. Make sure you book well ahead of time, as these gorgeous seaside spots are very popular in every season.
Get your car road-trip ready with Cox Auto
Get ready for your restorative getaway to the Mornington Peninsula, and book your car in for a service with us before you hit the road. We’ll give your car a thorough safety-check in line with the VACC’s accredited Critical Safety Check program and keep you on the move with our premium service experience. Ask about our complimentary loan cars and flexible prepayment options and rest assured that we’ll go that extra mile to keep you on the road.
In the week leading up to your road trip, run through a handful of simple pre-checks on your vehicle to avoid any last-minute roadtrip stress. Check your tyre pressure, lights, windscreen wipers, coolant and engine oil. If your simple checks turn up anything unexpected, give us a call and we’ll help you on your way.
What’s your ideal Mornington Peninsula road trip itinerary? Share your dream road trip with us on our Facebook page and tell us all about your adventures next time you’re in for a car service.
We look forward to seeing you at Cox Auto soon and wish you a safe and enjoyable journey.
Want some more travel inspiration? Check out our ultimate road trip itinerary for the Great Ocean Road, and 4 of the best road trips from Melbourne.
