MORNINGTON PENINSULA: ONE DAY TRIP ITINERARY

Living in Melbourne, I have found that there are endless amounts of things to do. However, I find myself going to Mornington Peninsula time and time again because I absolutely love it there. Some people visiting only have a day to spare, so this is an itinerary for those that want to see and experience as much as possible in a day. I recommend spending more time there, if possible. However, this will give you a day full of awesome experiences and a feel for everything that this area has to offer. 

Begin your adventure with the 1 hour and 30 minute drive from Melbourne to Moonlit Sanctuary. This is the best sanctuary I have ever been to and it is something that I think everyone should experience during their time in Australia. You get to see many of Australia’s unique wildlife and learn about these unique animals. The best part: the wallabies and kangaroos roam the property freely and you are able to feed and pet them! It is definitely the experience of a lifetime and I can’t every recommend it enough. 

- Lindsey Farrah

Next you will head to grab lunch at my absolute favourite restaurant in all of Australia, Montalto. The food is picked fresh from their lush gardens, the views are spectacular and the wine is nice too. Be sure to take the time to do the sculpture walk, where you walk around their stunning property, through the vineyards to check out gorgeous artwork done by local artists. Want to take in the view for longer? Feel free to bring a picnic blanket and chill on the lawn while you drink a glass of wine. Everything I’ve ordered here has been spectacular, and their menu changes seasonally. I LOVE this place. You must go.

Now it’s time to take in the spectacular views of Mornington Peninsula. Go to Arthur’s Seat to get a stunning view of the coast. If you are feeling adventurous, you can hike around for different viewpoints of the city. We did the entire loop and stopped for photos and it only took about an hour. If you want a more relaxed view, there is a gondola you can ride up and down the hill for breathtaking views.

Head to the Cape Schanck lighthouse to explore an absolutely stunning coastline. The Cape Schanck Lighthouse was built in 1859 as the second coastal lighthouse in the Australian state of Victoria. It is located on the southernmost tip of the Mornington Peninsula and while the lighthouse might technically be the main attraction, I think that the views outshine the lighthouse. Do the full circular walk which will lead you down a lot of steps to a gorgeous beach. You will be blown away by the views you will get during this walk. 

For a swim, it’s time to head to calmer waters. I am in love with the rock pools located at Bridgewater Bay. To find these pools, put in the address below which will take you to the public parking lot. From here, walk the path that takes you down to the beach and you will see the rock pools on the other end of the beach. It is awesome for swimming and if you feel daring you can try jumping in from the rocks. 

Head to Portsea Pub for a refreshment and be sure to walk out on the pier. Last time I was there I saw a fisherman catch a large squid, so that was pretty awesome!