Trip Itinerary - Australia
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MORNINGTON PENINSULA: TWO DAY TRIP ITINERARY
City skyline
Photo By: John Doe
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Mornington Peninsula has a lot to offer, and with this two day itinerary you will get to experience a lot of the area.
Living in Melbourne, I have found that there is endless amounts of things to do. However, I find myself going to Mornington Peninsula time and time again because I absolutely love it there. You could spend an entire week here relaxing on beaches, visiting wineries, going on hikes, shopping and more. However, if you want a solid weekend trip where you do a little bit of everything, this is the itinerary for you.
Day 1
Drive about 1 hour 30 minutes to Moonlit Sanctuary. This is the best sanctuary I have ever been to. It’s something that you must experience if you have never been to Australia before. You get to see many of Australia’s unique wildlife, and most importantly you get to hand feed roaming wallabies and kangaroos! This is the only sanctuary i’ve found that where the kangaroos and wallabies are free to roam around. It is definitely the experience of a lifetime and I can’t every recommend it enough!
“I love Mornington Peninsula because it has something for everyone; beaches, wildlife, vineyards and more.”
- Lindsey Farrah
Next you will head to gran lunch at my absolute favourite restaurant I’ve been to in 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 will 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.
After lunch, visit some of the other local wineries and some of the breweries. I recommend stopping at XX, XX< XX and XX. If you plan to do tastings, be sure to have a designated driver with you. Otherwise, feel free to sip and spit.
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. I highly recommend hiking down the path to catch more views of the coast. Once you hit the bottom, catch the gondola for a relaxing and stunning trip back to the top of the hill. You will experience some absolutely amazing views.
Now it’s time to head to the hotel, check in and grab some dinner.
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Xpu Ha beach.
If you are looking to save some money, I recommend checking out the local camping options as there are lots of options. However, if you are looking for a nice hotel to stay at I highly recommend Portsea Hotel. Once you check in, be sure to walk to the end of the pier to see some fishermen at work. Last time I was there I saw someone catch a large squid! Also, grabbing a drink out on the lawn during the sunset is a great place to unwind.
Head out for dinner and grab some modern Australian cuisine at Loquat Restaurant. In the mood for something else? There are tons of great places to eat within walking distance of Portsea Hotel.
Day 2
Now it’s time to check out the amazing coastline, up close and personal. First I would recommend stopping off at Back Beach in Sorrento. This beach is known for it’s awesome surfing, so you can stop here, enjoy the views and catch some surfers in action.
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 from here you can walk to the rock pool. It’s awesome for swimming and if you feel daring you can try jumping in from the rocks.
You’ve seen a glimpse of the stunning coastline, now it’s time to really explore. Head to 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 you lighthouse might be the main attraction to many, 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.
Finally, it’s time to unwind and relax at the Peninsula Hot Springs. Be sure to book an appointment before you go, as it can get crowded.
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Drinks at Coco Tulum.
Travel Tips
List of Services
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Avoid The Crowds!List Item 1
You should arrive as early as possible at the 12 Apostles to avoid heaps of tourists. If you are staying in Apollo Bay and leave by 9 AM you will be way ahead of the tour buses that are coming from Melbourne. It's still spectacular to enjoy everything alongside other tourists, however it's nice to avoid the huge crowds.
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Picnic With A ViewList Item 2
There are some places to eat in the area, however you are missing the ultimate picnic spot if you don't pack your own and pick a spot on the beach at Loch Ard Gorge. Pack something simple and bring a blanket.
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Homeward Bound
Exhausted after a two day drive-a-thon? We were! Shorten your trip back to Melbourne by driving inland and foregoing the coastal ride.
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Koala Love
Be sure to stop at Kennett River Holiday park to try to spot some wild Koalas. I have seem them both times I stopped here - you just have to look up in the Eucalyptus trees.
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