In our first instalment on ’48 hours on the Mornington Peninsula’ we shared some great ideas on where to go to get that perfect plate, taste or sip across the region. This time we are looking to give you our top picks for getting out and about. There is so much you can do; step back in time, take the plunge, ride the sky, inspire your inner artist or take a hike.
In our first instalment on '48 hours on the Mornington Peninsula’ we shared some great ideas on where to go to get that perfect plate, taste or sip across the region. This time we are looking to give you our top picks for getting out and about. There is so much you can do; step back in time, take the plunge, ride the sky, inspire your inner artist or take a hike.
What we can guarantee you is that there are lots of options that are both the essential must-dos and our hidden gems. We also guarantee that doing these activities will require a good amount of sustenance to fuel your adventure!
If you are here during dolphin season (October – March) then you can't go past the moving experience of a dolphin swim with Moonraker Dolphin Swims (pictured) or Polperro Dolphin Swims.
But did you know that Water Maarq (pictured) also offer other cool things like tours to Mud Island and The Fort – places only a handful of people ever get to go to. They also offer snorkelling or free diving to some of the best underwater scenery going around – as do Bayplay Adventure Tours. Or Mornington Boat Hire has these fun ‘reef boards’, that mean you can see everything without even having to use a snorkel!
The spectacular view from the highest point on the Mornington Peninsula is best seen when riding a gondola aboard the state-of-the-art Arthurs Seat Eagle (pictured) and has been a highlight of any trip to the Mornington Peninsula for decades.
You may be familiar with the tube slides, mazes and puzzles of the Enchanted Adventure Garden but have you tried their Tree surfing (pictured)? It's like an obstacle course high among the treetops, and there is even a miniature course for younger children!
The historic fortification and quarantine station at Point Nepean National Park (pictured) offers dramatic history and insta-grammable scenery, plus great walks to the very tip of the peninsula.
You can also discover incredible local stories at the smaller National Trust site of McCrae Homestead and Museum where the fascinating stories of early settlers is told.
Another lesser known local treasure is the Mornington Railway (pictured) - you can even book a spot to drive the train, if that’s your thing! For a time-warp of a different kind, jump on the Western Port Ferries and head to off-the-grid French Island where you can take a Naturaliste Tour to get the inside story on this wilder and wonderful part of the world.
The impressive exhibitions at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery offers an everchanging array of exhibitions while you can dine and peruse art at the same time at the popular Merricks General Wine Store and Art Gallery (pictured) where the original historic Merricks House right next door offers changing exhibitions - and a coffee window
Manyung Gallery Group has plenty of art to explore and expereince, and a location to suit; at Flinders, Sorrento, Mt Eliza, or for a larger scale art piece - check them out at their Mornington space.
In a small-but-perfectly-formed Gordon Studio Glassblowers gallery and studio space (pictured) in Red Hill, multiple world-renowned glass blowers work their craft. There is always spectacular glass works to be seen, and somedays you can even see them in action!
There is certainly an art to soap making – and you can see it shine through in the products at Olieve and Olie in the Rosebud Business Estate, where you can pop around the corner for a bite to eat at the retro Blue Mini Café and browse their ecelctic range of small scale local artworks
Or time your trip to take in one of the regular markets at Red Hill, Mornington, or the occasional one at Portsea where you cna meet the artists who make the product sold on the stalls.
If the world class Peninsula Hot Springs (pictured) is not yet ticked off your bucket list, then this is your chance.
But there are plenty of options to relax with lovely treatments from Endota (Red Hill) or simply wander the serenely beautiful gardens at Heronswood (pictured) with the impressive 1866 built house and a million-dollar view of Port Phillip as the backdrop.
We hope you are enjoying our three part series on the things you can do on a Mornington Peninsula mini break and are inspired to give it a try. We would love to hear from you about your experience: use our hashtag #FindYourWayMorningtonPeninsula, or tag us on Facebook @MorningtonPeninsula or Instagram @OfficialMorningtonPeninsula
Missed the first part in our series? Find it HERE>>>
Want to read the third part? Find it HERE>>>