The Mornington Peninsula, a scenic 40km (25-mile) stretch of windswept coastline and hinterland 80km (50 miles) south of Melbourne, is one of Melbourne's favorite day-trip and weekend-getaway destinations. The coast is lined with good beaches and thick bush. The Cape Shanck Coastal Park stretches along the peninsula's Bass Strait foreshore from Portsea to Cape Shanck. It's home to gray kangaroos, southern brown bandicoots, echidnas, native rats, mice, reptiles, bats, and many forest and ocean birds. The park has numerous interconnecting walking tracks providing access to some remote beaches. You can get more information on this and all the other Victorian National Parks by calling tel. 13 19 63.
The Mornington Peninsula is a popular wine-producing region. The peninsula's fertile soil, temperate climate, and rolling hills produce excellent wine, particularly pinot noir, Shiraz, and chardonnay. Many wineries offer cellar-door tastings, others have excellent restaurants.
Along the route to the south, stop at the Morning Peninsula Regional Gallery, Dunns Road, Mornington (tel. 03/5975 4395; http://mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au), to check out the work of well-known Australian artists (open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm), or visit the summit at Arthurs Seat State Park for glorious views of the coastline. At Sorrento, take time out to spot pelicans on the jetty, or visit the town's many galleries.
If you are traveling with kids, stop in at Australia's oldest maze, Ashcombe Maze & Water Gardens, Red Hill Road, Shoreham (tel. 03/5989 8387; www.ashcombemaze.com.au). Mine loved it. As well as the big maze, there are extensive water and woodland gardens, and even a rose maze made out of 1,300 rose bushes. There's also a pleasant cafe with indoor and outdoor dining. The park is open daily from 10am to 5pm; admission is A$13 (US$10/UK£5.20) for adults, A$8 (US$6.40/UK£3.20) for children, and A$38 (US$30/UK£15) for a family of four.
The Mornington Peninsula Travel Experiences
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Why life is better in Melbourne
Melbourne is located in the state of Victoria and is Australia's second largest city with 3.7 million inhabitants. Like all other main&nb... Continue reading »
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A new state
Finally, we pack our bags and head to Sydney airport for our first sojourn out of New South Wales. After a shambolic departure - delayed... Continue reading »
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"I Want To Pump You Up"
Having never been on an overnight bus, I was preparing myself for the worst but was actually pleasantly surprised with the luxury of the... Continue reading »
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To Melbourne
My journey to Melbourne started at a quarter to midnight when I got on to the bus at the Canberra bus station. I... Continue reading »
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Melbourne Saturday
I woke up at 5 in order to do some remote work (5 a.m. in Sydney/Melbourne = 1 p.m. the previous day in Denver). I was done by 8, then we... Continue reading »
