Let us take you on a little virtual adventure to fall in love with the historical Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula. There is much to love. First established as a fishing village, the settlement sits at the point where Bass Strait meets Western Port. Western Port, named by fresh faced, 26-year-old explorer, George Bass in 1797 on his pilot expedition from Sydney in an open whale boat into the second largest bay in Victoria. An extensive tidal bay, Flinders is home to three national parks and is part of the UNESCO Western Port biosphere reserve.
Let us take you on a little virtual adventure to fall in love with the historical Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula. There is much to love. First established as a fishing village, the settlement sits at the point where Bass Strait meets Western Port. Western Port, named by fresh faced, 26-year-old explorer, George Bass in 1797 on his pilot expedition from Sydney in an open whale boat into the second largest bay in Victoria. An extensive tidal bay, Flinders is home to three national parks and is part of the UNESCO Western Port biosphere reserve.
To this day, Flinders remains a picturesque village, now filled with cafes, galleries, boutiques and homewares all within kilometres to wild coastlines, protected beaches, golf courses, surf breaks and wineries. Welcome.
Let flavour and whimsy collide when you step inside Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie and Ice-Creamery - chocolate heaven where you can watch Chocolatiers at work. Choose from mouth-watering handcrafted chocolates, hot chocolate or indulge in artisan gelato. Keep an eye out for special chocolate workshops for young and young at heart with daily tastings to keep you tempted.
Georgie Bass Café & Cookery offers a lazy breakfast or leisurely lunch menu. Both dog and bike friendly with water bowls and a pump/repair station for cyclists, you can share a meal with your furry friend or one clad in lycra! Join one of the many hands-on cooking classes. The cooking school only allows a maximum of 12 to attend so you are sure to learn a lot. Their classes always feature local produce and some even include a foraging wander at their farm.
Share a cheeky cocktail or two at Zigis Bar at the Flinders Hotel who offer delicious ocean inspired bites on their menu and a very impressive drinks list. With live music the adjoining bistro offers a great outdoor deck area to kick back and catch up with friends. It’s open 7 days so is a good option any day of the week.
Walk amongst the many galleries - windows and spaces bursting with creativity. Explore contemporary art by both established and emerging visual artists at one of the ever-changing exhibitions at Manyung Gallery, or discover artist run spaces to meet the creatives behind the masterpieces.
Fishing remains important to the area, Western Port offering pristine waters and extensive fish breeding grounds - it’s part of the UNESCO Biosphere reserve. Sheltering from the wilder Bass Strait weather behind the protection of the West Head headland is the Flinders Pier. It’s a pretty beach for a swim with good fishing off the pier, great snorkelling, and plenty of photo opportunities. See if you can spot a Weedy Sea dragon beneath.
Introducing Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary. This important rocky mushroom shaped ledge protrudes hundreds of metres out into the sea and is home to some incredible sea stars, nudibranchs (colourful shell-less molluscs), anemones and sea-life so it makes for great rock pool rambling opportunities at low tide. Choose your time carefully as at high tide it all disappears!
On the road towards Cape Schanck lies the intermittent Flinders Blowhole with its elephant shaped rock headland. It’s a short walk from the small car park through pretty farmland. At high tide the crashing waves force their way into a funnel shaped niche and spurt up into the air. If you miss this time, the coastal scenery is well worth the trip anyway. At times blustery winds, big waves and slippery rocks are all present – so be careful. Check out the aptly named Little Bird Rock (where seabirds nest) and the many rock pools hidden by the cliffs.
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