The Mornington Peninsula is the perfect place to visit when looking to escape the hustle bustle of the city for a while. At just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, the idyllic holiday spot offers a variety of both relaxing and exciting things to do when looking to unwind from the chaos of daily life in the CBD.
Mornington Peninsula National Park
One of the biggest differences between Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula is the opportunity to explore nature and the beauty the rural landscape has on offer. The Mornington Peninsula National Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty, allowing for expansive and impressive costal walks, those which have become synonymous with Australia. The National Park is also home to the iconic elephant rock, which extends out into the sea.
Recreation
The Mornington Peninsula is the perfect spot for adventure seekers. For the ocean lover, the white sandy shoreline and spectacular surf make it the ideal place to catch some waves, take time out on a fishing trip or to take long bike rides. For visitors who are more interested in relaxing and unwinding from the stressors of daily life, there are a number of golf courses as well as the opportunity to visit the Peninsula Hot Springs, where bathing in natural thermal pools in an absolute must.
Vineyards and local produce
Most people don’t know that he Mornington Peninsula is world-renowned for its production of grapes and is also the ideal location for spectacular wine tasting. The region is home to over 90 wineries and 75 cellar doors, offering vineyard tours as well as tasting (and purchasing) the wines on offer. The area is particularly famous for its production of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, cultivated primarily as a result of the region’s cooler climate.
As a result of the rural landscape of the Mornington Peninsula, the area also prides itself on natural produce, with cheese, beef and berries at the top of the list of products that stem from the area. Because of the success of the agriculture and farming in the region, many people come to visit the monthly Red Hill market – a festive and enjoyable celebration of food and drink.
Historic Australia
For those who are looking to learn more about the history of Australia, the Mornington Peninsula presents countless opportunities to visit a number of important historical sites.
Among them are the HMAS Cerberus Naval base, which served as the Australian Naval College for over 20 years and is home to over a thousand current personnel; you could also pay a visit to the McCrea house or the Heronswood house, both rich in cultural and historical history relating to Australian heritage.
Wildlife
As with many areas in rural Australia, the climate and vastness of the landscape ensures is a great deal more wildlife than in urbanised areas. Witnessing dolphins in their natural habitat or horse riding along the spectacular shoreline will almost certainly help in relieving the stresses of a busy city lifestyle. If wildlife and Fauna is of interest to you, the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation park is a must, taking its visitors back to times of pre-colonised Australia. The sanctuary is home to a range of animals, including species which are no longer found in the wild on mainland Australia (such as the Eastern Quoll and Southern Bettong). The park is dedicated to the conservation and breeding of critically endangered animals and offers visitors the opportunity to see some of the rarest creatures on the planet.
The Mornington Peninsula is the ideal destination to escape to when searching for a return to relaxation and nature, while simultaneously providing an array of activities to keep visitors busy and entertained.