Mornington Peninsula Touring Route
Recommended duration: 1 day
Total distance: Melbourne–Portsea 97 kilometres, Portsea–Cape Schanck 30 kilometres, Cape Schanck–Flinders 12 kilometres, Flinders–Red Hill 15 kilometres, Red Hill–Hastings 21 kilometres, Hastings–Melbourne 73 kilometres. Total: 248 kilometres.
Driving time: Melbourne–Portsea 2 hours, Portsea–Cape Schanck 40 minutes, Cape Schanck–Flinders 10 minutes, Flinders–Red Hill 17 minutes, Red Hill–Hastings 20 minutes, Hastings–Melbourne 1 hour. Total: 4 hours 27 minutes.
Discover the beauty of the Mornington Peninsula by driving the East of the Bay Touring Route. Arcing gracefully around the eastern rim of Port Phillip Bay and close to the city, the Peninsula is a holiday spot favoured by Melburnians and is home to breathtaking coastal scenery, picturesque villages, wineries and championship golf courses.
Departing from Melbourne the route travels south east to Melbourne’s outskirts and Frankston, where you can visit the renowned McClelland Gallery+Sculpture Park. See works by painters Russell Drysdale and Fred Williams, or stroll through the nearby sculpture park for art in a beautiful bushland setting.
The route then hugs the coast and takes in a number of small seaside towns with bay beaches, piers and picturesque beachside walks. Stop off at Mornington and have a coffee overlooking the picturesque harbour with yachts bobbing at anchor and colourful beach boxes lining the sand.
Continue your journey south along the coast from Mornington to Sorrento where beautiful nineteenth-century limestone buildings house excellent eateries, boutiques, galleries and specialist shops. Wander along the main street and browse the boutique shops or stop for coffee in one of the many sidewalk cafes. Sorrento also offers you great opportunities to surf at ocean beaches, swim with dolphins and seals or take a fishing cruise into the bay.
Stop at nearby Portsea, for a drink on the lawns of the famous Portsea Pub where you can enjoy great views of the bay. Visit Point Nepean for spectacular views of Port Phillip Bay and the ocean and explore the remains of Victoria’s coastal defence at Fort Nepean.
From Portsea the route turns north back along the coast to Rosebud and from there crosses to the other side of the Peninsula, arriving at Cape Schanck. At Cape Schanck follow boardwalks to lookouts and superb views of the roaring Bass Strait or take a take a guided tour of the historic Cape Schanck Lighthouse.
Continue your journey along the western port side of the Peninsula to the charming nineteenth-century fishing hamlet of Flinders. Flinders offers surf and safe beaches, delicious dining and antique and curio shopping. And if you play golf, make time for a round of golf at the scenic Flinders Golf course overlooking the Bass Strait.
From Flinders, travel inland towards Arthurs Seat and Red Hill. At Arthurs Seat take in exceptional views that extend from the bay to the city, and around Red Hill, Merricks and Main Ridge the scenery comprises of the orderly rows of vineyards, orchards and small farms. Dozens of wineries offer cellar door tastings and many also have fine restaurants open for lunch, such as Max’s at Red Hill or the restaurant among the olive groves at Montalto. Sample seasonal organic fruit and vegetables from farm gates such as Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, or stock up on local produce at the famous Red Hill market on the first Saturday of the month.
From Red Hill return to Melbourne via Hastings, an historic fishing town which is a good place to take a fishing charter or a cruise of Western Port bay before heading back to Melbourne.
