travel the peninsula

Not to sound like a travel brochure, but the diversity of lifestyle and attractions in the Mornington Peninsula are unparalleled. Lifelong home to some, frequented holiday area for others and a fresh adventure to others, there always remain endless new beauties to be found in the area.

As I fall under the ‘frequent holiday house visitor category’, I can fill you in on all the secrets for the perfect retreat in this sparkling bay.

BEACH LIFE The biggest part of a holiday in the Mornington Peninsula, for me, is to be a massive beach bum. Every single time I come, I convince myself that I will spend my mornings taking long walks and my days in some productive ways, but it is just irresistible to spend hours on the beach and to feel the warmth of the sun on skin combined with the cool clear water. Plus, when else are you going to parade that bather collection we all have around?

My favourite beaches to bum at • Blairgowrie front beach • Sorrento front beach • Sorrento back/surf beach (amazing rockpools) • Shelley beach in Portsea • Dimmick’s beach (accessed through a lovely walking trail from Mirino St in Blairgowrie), if you walk away from the main area to a spot behind the rocks there is an amazing secluded stretch of sand • Portsea front beach, great pier to jump from • Cape Schanck - not ideal for swimming, but the black volcanic rock and the pebble beach provide sights and sounds to marvel at. Listening the the waves wash a and grind the pebbles back into the water is amazing

FOOD The wineries, farm produce and restaurants of the Mornington Pensinsula are incredible and the options are endless. One thing is certain; wherever you go, you are bound to have an amazing view of vineyards and greenery, and perhaps a patch of sea.

Highlights • T'Gallant La Baracca Trattoria and Spuntino Bar has my 5 stars for atmosphere, service and of course it’s amazing food. Their pizza is to die for as well as the potatoes, and the place is always full of laughter, chat and music | 1385 Mornington Flinders Road, Main Ridge • Max’s Restaurant; this one is here for the 360 degree view and the fine-dining atmosphere | 53 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South • Mock Red Hill - biodynamic Apple and pear cider or sparkling juice and freeze-dried fruits to die for • Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove has a yearly olive festival, as well as a beautiful location with a walking track | 33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South • Foxey’s Hangout has a great food to share and an exciting atmosphere | 795 White Hill Road, Red Hill • Green Olive at Red Hill boasts amazing land, gorgeous food (to be enjoyed among impeccable farm-style design and a scent of herb garden), a trampoline and a guaranteed good time • Sunny Ridge strawberry farm, where you can pick (and eat, shhhh) the most delicious strawberries, and later enjoy the massive shop filled with strawberry oriented product. Their strawberry ice cream and desserts are also the best I’ve ever tasted | • Sorrento Hotel is an easy-going pub environment with a sleek atmosphere, a new extension bar and high quality food; I would eat there every day • The Baths Sorrento, a beautiful beach front restaurant with a small but delicious menu (scallops recommended) and a lovely light vibe.

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT • Ocean beach Road, Sorrento. This main road of Sorrento captures the beachy yet elegant vibe of the Mornington Peninsula and links directly to the beach. Full of great shopping (Seed, Lululemon, Sportsgirl and amazing local boutiques) and food (Mubble Ice Cream, Chopstix, Shells Cafe - best iced chai, Buckley’s chance) it is a great walk • Peninsula Hot Springs, although busy, is the perfect place to relax and rewind at the end of a stressful day. • Point Nepean National Park, for the walking, war and view enthusiast • Dromana Drive in cinema

Come down, winter or summer, and enjoy the beauty, just over an hour out of Melbourne.

Love, Ingrid