While the Mornington Peninsula is only about an hour southeast of Melbourne, its pristine coastal landscapes make it seem like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The region has more than 190km of coastline dotted with beaches, walking tracks, picnic spots, and spectacular scenery. Its proximity to Melbourne together with its natural beauty makes the Mornington Peninsula a popular tourism destination, drawing visitors from all over the world.
The Mornington Peninsula has something to delight every visitor, particularly those who appreciate the great outdoors. There are beaches, historic sites, bushland, food and wine, scenic drives, hikes, and bike rides… and who could forget the mineral hot springs. It can be hard to know where to start when planning a visit. The Mornington Peninsula isn’t referred to as Melbourne’s playground for nothing. It’s an opportunity to get away from it all and be immersed in nature.
Visit Mornington Peninsula Beaches
Explore the white, sandy beaches of Port Phillip to the northwest or the mangrove-lined boardwalks of the Western Port beaches. The ocean-side beaches provide breathtaking views and sea breezes, with crashing waves, rippling dunes, and countless species of native wildlife.
Explore Mornington Peninsula Coastal Bushland
The peninsula has nearly 100 walking trails and over 30 bicycle paths, ranging from easy excursions to challenging uphill climbs. You can choose between inland bush or coastal pathways while exploring the peninsula.
There are quite a few areas of bushland worth a visit. On the very tip of the Peninsula is Port Nepean National Park. Here you can walk the coastline and witness the tidal pools, teeming with wildlife and native Australian vegetation, all while enjoying views out across the Bass Strait. Elsewhere is the Mornington Peninsula National Park, a popular spot to walk, picnic, and swim.
While it’s hard to play favourites in a place as scenic as the Mornington Peninsula, Arthurs Seat State Park, which sits at the highest point of the peninsula, is a pretty special spot. The 314-meter summit offers unbeatable panoramic ocean views. On a clear day, you can see all the way back to the city from the Arthurs Seat summit.
Soak in the Hot Springs
There’s simply no better way to wrap up a day trip than with a soak in the Peninsula Hot Springs. In fact, these luxurious natural hot springs are reason enough to visit the Mornington Peninsula.
The award-winning Peninsula Hot Springs has dozens of bathing experiences to choose from, to soothe and relax visitors after a day spent enjoying the best of what the Mornington Peninsula has to offer.
Book a Mornington Peninsula Day Trip
This day trip from Melbourne is one for those keen for a bit of everything: unbeatable ocean views, an exhilarating guided coastal hiking, the opportunity to witness native wildlife, and a couple of hours soaking in the incredible natural hot springs.
Sound like your kind of day out of the city? Join us on our Mornington Peninsula day trip. Book now.