Mornington Peninsula

This article is about the entire Mornington Peninsula, and not just the area of Mornington

Mornington Peninsula lies south of Melbourne, Australia forming the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay.

Cities

 * Balnarring - A small town towards the western side of the Peninsula, it has a more rural feel to it with many local camping sites and surf beaches nearby
 * Blairgowrie
 * Dromana- A small coastal village, sitting in a valley between Arthurs Seat and Mount Martha. With a beautiful beach with brightly painted boat sheds lining the shore, it's a pretty spot to spend a few days.
 * Mornington - The largest town on the Mornington Peninsula, with one long main street leading down to the beach and pier. Mornington is a beachside town that is rapidly growing in response to the growing population around it and on the Peninsula, but don't shy away from it, it still has a wonderful atmosphere and good transport links (buses) to the rest of the peninsula.
 * Mount Eliza - Located between Mornington and Frankston to the north, Mount Eliza is home to a select few wineries, but is mostly made up of large upper-class houses and schools.
 * Mount Martha - Midway between Mornington and Dromana, this little town consists mostly of houses and a small strip of shops opposite the beach. It's not on the main road, only discovered by those taking the scenic ocean route.
 * Portsea- Glitzy, ritzy Portea at the tip of the Peninsula is resident to some very expensive holiday homes and the Portsea Pub that sits right on the forshore. From watching the sunset over a beer on the pub terrace to catching some waves at Portsea backbeach you won't soon be bored!
 * Red Hill- With green rolling hills, amazing wineries, fresh produce and a popular community market, this is rural Australia at its best.
 * Rye - A popular summer tourist area, boasting some of the nicest beaches for swimming and snorkeling. During the summer months Rye holds a carnival, with many rides, sideshows, and attractions. Rye also has some of the nicest beachfront cafes and dining on the peninsula.
 * Sorrento- Sorrento is lucky to boast two very different yet equally interesting beaches. The Sorrento Ocean Beach is spectacular and dangerous, while the bay beach is calm and relaxing. Take your pick! Sorrento was also the site of Victoria's first official settlement in 1803.
 * Tyabb

Understand
The peninsula is at its best and busiest during the summer months, but don't disregard the winter months.

Walking the beaches that line Bass Straight in the cold grey months of winter, and being witness to the drama of the oceans fury is an experience you won't soon forget. Just bring a jacket! Spending a warm summer evening with some fish and chips on the foreshore watching the sun set with some friends is a great way to enjoy life.

Get in
Your own transport is handy for getting around the Mornington Peninsula as public transport and taxi services are limited beyond the centre of major towns.

There is only one major road down the peninsula, so you won't get lost.

By public transport
Suburban trains leave from Melbourne to Frankston regularly, taking approximately one hour to Frankston (where they terminate). . Tickets can be purchased at train stations.

A train line operates from Frankston to Stony Point.

From Frankston buses run to Portsea, the most western settlement on the peninsula – 90 minutes and Mount Martha, Flinders and Hastings. Pay driver when boarding or use a pre-purchased ticket.

Timetables - see Peninsula Bus Lines and Portsea Passenger Services routes at bottom of page.
 * Bus 781 Frankston - Mount Martha via Mt Eliza, Mornington
 * Bus 782 Frankston - Flinders via Coolart Road, Hastings
 * Bus 783 - Frankston - Hastings via Coolart Road
 * Bus 782/783 combined - Frankston - Coolart Rd - Hastings/Flinders
 * Bus 788 Frankston - Portsea via Dromana, Rosebud, Sorrento

By ferry
SeaRoad car/passenger ferries cross the mouth of Port Phillip Bay between Sorrento and Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula. They depart each terminal on the hour every hour 7AM-6PM every day, and the trip takes about 40 min.

Foot passengers pay $16/12 adult/child, while cars up to 5.5m pay $78 (includes driver only, additional passengers cost extra).

There is also a passenger-only ferry that crosses Western Port Bay to Stony Point from French Island and Phillip Island.

Festivals

 * Colour the Sky Kite Festival, Rosebud Foreshore, Jetty Road, Rosebud. March.
 * Western Port Festival, Hastings Foreshore. February.

Special events

 * Australia Day January 26th - Mornington has fireworks.

Itineraries

 * Cape Schanck walks including Bushrangers Bay Track which is a great place to see Kangaroos, 2 hours, 6 km.
 * Coppins Track walk, Sorrento Ocean Beach.
 * Two Bays Walking Track is a 26-km track running between Dromana and Cape Schank. From Dromana it runs through Arthurs Seat State Park, then the Greens Bush and Bushrangers Bay sections of Mornington Peninsula National Park.

Do

 * There are a good many golf courses on the peninsula.
 * Swimming and surfing. The inward side of the peninsula is lined with sandy beaches, sheltered by the bay providing a safe bathing spot for families with small children. The ocean side of the peninsula is popular with surfers.
 * Boat hire / fishing
 * Ripple Massage Day Spa And Beauty - +61 438567906. Daily 9AM - 9PM. Massage and beauty treatments across the Peninsula.
 * Ripple Massage Day Spa And Beauty - +61 438567906. Daily 9AM - 9PM. Massage and beauty treatments across the Peninsula.
 * Ripple Massage Day Spa And Beauty - +61 438567906. Daily 9AM - 9PM. Massage and beauty treatments across the Peninsula.

Markets

 * Bittern Market - every Sunday
 * Coolstores Market - First Sunday of the month
 * Dromana Drive-In Market - Every Sunday. Nepean Highway, Dromana.
 * Frankston Market - every Sunday
 * Hastings Street Market - Every Thursday
 * Mornington Race Course - Second Sunday of the month, all year, 9AM-2PM
 * Mornington Main Street Market – Every Wednesday of the year
 * Oak Hill Gallery - Fourth Sunday of the month. 100 Tyabb Road, Mornington.
 * Red Hill Market – First Saturday of the month. Sept - May. 8AM-1PM
 * Rosebud Market – 2nd Saturday of the month. Cnr. Point Nepean and Jetty Road, Rosebud.
 * Sorrento Market - Fourth Saturday of the month. Sorrento Foreshore, Sorrento.
 * Tootgarook Market - Fourth Saturday of the month. Tootgarook PS, Carmichael Street, Tootgarook
 * Sorrento Market - Fourth Saturday of the month. Sorrento Foreshore, Sorrento.
 * Tootgarook Market - Fourth Saturday of the month. Tootgarook PS, Carmichael Street, Tootgarook

Drink
There are many popular wineries of varying styles along the Mornington Peninsula. T'Gallant of 1385 Mornington Flinders Rd, Main Ridge is a good example of a funky place to eat and drink on a summer afternoon, often with live music.



Stay safe
The Mornington Peninsula provides easy access to the calm waters of Port Phillip Bay and the surf beaches of Bass Strait. The bay side is dotted with family-friendly sandy beaches from Frankston in the north down to Sorrento on the southern tip of the peninsula with foreshore camp grounds open in summer at the more popular Sorrento, Blairgowrie, Rosebud and Rye beaches.

The ocean beaches (or "back" beaches) such as Gunnamatta, Portsea Surf Beach, Sorrento Back Beach, and St Andrews Beach provide big waves to attract surfers and the more intrepid. The ocean beaches can be dangerous and only for strong, competent swimmers. All swimmers should swim between the flags at patrolled surf beaches in the summer months. Bridgewater Bay in Blairgowrie features rock pools exposed at low tide which are safe for swimming.

The ocean beaches have single large waves on rare occasions. Standing on the rocks above the shoreline is not safe; people do get swept off on occasion.

Go next

 * Queenscliff is a short ferry ride from Sorrento and offers car and passenger services. Dolphins can often be seen during this journey.
 * Frankston - The largest city close to the Peninsula with rail links to Melbourne and Stony Point.
 * Stony Point has passenger ferry services to French Island and Phillip Island. There is also a ferry connection between the two islands. Stony Point is easily accessible by diesel train from Frankston.