Despite being the largest of the Mornington Peninsula’s coastal towns, Mornington has retained its seaside charm and village feel. Try regional wines in the bars and restaurants that line the town’s Main Street, explore stunning red bluffs with Port Phillip Bay views or take yourself on a journey through Australian art heritage at the regional art gallery.
Begin your visit to Mornington with a trip down Main Street. Learn about the history of the area formerly known as Schnapper Point and check out heritage architecture. Enjoy a coffee while sitting on a café’s wide veranda and catch glimpses of the ocean. Boutique clothing stores, gift shops and homewares retailers also line Main Street. The street runs directly to the esplanade and foreshore area, so stop by delicatessens and bakeries as you walk and fill a picnic basket full of treats to enjoy once you reach the beach. On Wednesdays, a market day occurs on Main Street, and stallholders can be found selling handcrafted items and local produce.
Mornington’s foreshore features a scenic esplanade, grassy picnic areas with children’s play equipment, a yacht club and restaurants. Stroll out to the breakwater and the long jetty, which offers fantastic views across the bay to Melbourne’s city centre. If it’s warm, go for a dip in the ocean or hire a boat or kayak from the foreshore and explore the bay. Wander along the beach to see brightly cultured bathing boxes and the red-hued bluffs of the bay.
Visit the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery to discover the gallery’s extensive collection of Australian art. Get a feel for Mornington’s opulent 19th-century estates at Beleura House and Garden or Morning Star Estate. Sample some of the Mornington Peninsula’s excellent wines and delectable fresh seafood at Mornington’s atmospheric bars and restaurants.
Mornington is accessible from Melbourne via three major roadways and you can reach the town in just over an hour’s drive from the CBD. Alternatively, catch a train to Frankston and connect with a bus to Mornington. This journey could take up to 2 hours, however. Visit Mornington during the Queen’s Birthday weekend and enjoy the smooth sounds of the Mornington Winter Jazz Festival.
