Culture, Art & Heritage

Heronswood Cottage gardens featuring annuals and perennials which are at their best between October and April. Bluestone homestead built in 1871. Plant and seed sales. Tearoom/Restaurant. Home of the famous 'Digger's Club.' Latrobe Parade, Dromana. Phone (03) 5987 1877

McCrae Homestead was built in 1844 for the pioneering McCrae family. Furnished with many original pieces, including family heirlooms and books. National Trust operated. 11 Beverley Road, McCrae. Phone: 5986 5688.

The Briars Historic Park - First settled by Europeans in the 1840's, 'The Briars' incorporates an 1850s homestead and surrounding 8 hectares of lawns, gardens and trees with bird hides and bush walks. Nepean Highway, Mt Martha. Phone: (03) 5974 3686.

Cape Schanck Lighthouse & Museum - one of the few light stations still operating today. Established in 1857 it offers visitors a glimpse of the past. Explore the light tower and historic outbuildings. Cape Schanck Road, Cape Schanck. Phone (03) 5988 6184

Craft Markets - The Mornington Peninsula is well known as being the home of the Red Hill market but every week the Mornington Peninsula hosts several community markets including the popular 'Main Street Market' every Wednesday in Mornington's main shopping precinct. The Markets Association of Victoria website gives details of other weekend markets on the Mornington Peninsula.

The Bottom Drawer Antique Centre - a rambling old building containing over 20 dealers. Tearoom available. Mornington-Tyabb Road, Moorooduc. Phone: 5978 8677.

Tyabb Packing House Antique Centre - Australia's largest antique centre. 42 dealers under one roof plus a comprehensive craft village at the rear and tea rooms. Mornington-Flinders Road, Tyabb. Phone: 5977 4414.

Dromana Drive-In has three screens. Further details on times and prices are available from their web site.

Rye Lime Kiln - A reminder of the early industry that dates back to the 1840s. Point Nepean Road, Rye (Whitecliffs). Open daily. Free.

Art Galleries on the Mornington Peninsula

Marion Rosetzky Gallery - Working studio specialising in the production of unique hand painted tiles. Natural bush gully setting. Select range of craftworks by leading Australian artists. 650 White Hill Road, Red Hill. Enquiries: 54989 2557 of view their web site.

Noel's Gallery Restaurant & Lavender Garden - Known for fine art, fine food, antiques and beautiful lavender nursery. Mornington-Flinders Road, Red Hill. Enquiries: 5989 2917.

Red Hill Gallery 141 - An exhibition gallery offering fine art, pottery & sculpture blended with the introduction of quality alpaca products. 141 Red Hill Road, Red Hill South. Enquiries: 5989 2614.

The Art Shed Gallery - Beautifully renovated gallery specialises in unusual and stimulating artworks for home and garden. Open most days 11am-5pm. 138 Arthur's Seat Road, Red Hill. Enquiries: 5989 2285.

Whitehill Gallery - Paintings, sculpture ceramics, glassworks and wearable art for that special occasion. Open Wednesday - Sunday, public & school holidays 11am-5pm. White Hill Road, Red Hill. Enquiries: 5989 2483.

Recreation & Leisure

Golf Courses

Moonah Links is just one of the International Standard golf courses on the Mornington Peninsula and is just a short drive away.

Dolphin Cruises

Polperro Dolphin Swims offers the opportunity to observe and swim with wild bottlenose dolphins in Port Philip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Phone: (03) 5988 8437

Sail Sorrento - learn-to-sail & sailing cruises

Peninsula Hot Springs - Day Spa - Massage - Cafe - Book Online: Enjoy the naturally healing waters of mineral rich thermal pools. Let our therapists from the Spa Dreaming Centre tailor you a full body massage and spa treatment. Relax with the ambience and healthy cuisine of the Bathe Cafe. Melbourne's new relaxation destination! 61 3 5950 8777

Andy's Harley Rides -Tollfree: 1300 554 118 Website:http://www.andysharleyrides.com.au email:andy@andysharleyrides.com.au

Car & Passenger Ferry - The Queenscliff Sorrento Car & Passenger Ferry service operates on the hour every hour 7am - 6pm from Sorrento pier with an extra service at 7pm from December 26 through till Easter Tuesday.

Horse Riding

Gunnamatta Equestrian Centre offer ocean beach horse rides along St Andrew's Beach, trail rides through beautiful Greens Bush, exclusive wine tasting rides visiting one or two local wineries and overnight rides. Sandy Road, Rye. Phone: 1800 801 003.

Ace Hi Ranch at Cape Schanck offer horse rides, wildlife park, animal nursery, tearooms and you can view the International Armoured Military Vehicle Collection and ride in a Centurion battle tank. Boneo Road, Cape Schanck. Phone: (03) 5988 6262.

Arthur's Seat Riding Stables provide supervised scenic trail rides. Purves Road, Arthur's Seat. Phone: (03) 5989 6124.

Food & Wine

Wineries

The Mornington Peninsula is one of Australia's newest and most exciting wine regions. The Mornington Peninsula's more than 100 vineyards are an integral part of its rich scenic appeal. Many wineries offer cellar door sales together with fine dining. Moonah Ridge is conveniently located to tour the Mornington Peninsula's wine areas. For full details of all the Mornington Peninsula's wineries, including cellar door and restaurant details visit the Mornington Peninsula Vigneron's Association website.

Mornington Peninsula Food & Produce

Flinders Bread is the home of the Mornington Peninsula's most delicious gourmet bread served at famous sporting venues including the MCG, Flemington, Caulfield and Sandown racecourses, Yarra Yarra Golf Club and the Formula One Grand Prix.

Red Hill Cheese offers a seasonal range of quality cheese made using organic cow and goat milk. They are open for tastings and sales on weekends & public holidays from 12 noon until 5p

Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm - Pick your own between November and April or visit the produce showroom and sample the strawberry fair at other times of the year. Cnr. Flinders/Shands Rd, Main Ridge. Phone: (03) 5989 6273.

Wildlife Wanders

Mornington Peninsula National Park comprises 45km of spectacular Bass Strait scenery and is renowned for its historic features, outstanding scenic rocky headlands and sandy beaches along the Bass Strait cost. It is popular for swimming, surfing, diving, fishing, walking and sightseeing.

The Park at Point Nepean - Portsea - Part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park and provides historic tunnels, ocean views, defence forts, flora & fauna, picnic spots, BBQ's and bikes for hire. Phone (03) 5984 4276

Arthur's Seat is the most prominent landmark of the Mornington Peninsula. Rising to a height of 305 metres, the summit of Arthur's Seat, which can be reached by chairlift, car or foot, provides magnificent views of Port Philip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula. Arthur's Seat offers plenty of things to interest every age group. Arthur's Seat Road, Arthur's Seat. Phone: (03) 5987 2565.

Arthur's Seat State Park - Arthur's Seat is the most familiar of all Port Phillip Bay landscape features. It's 314 metre summit, reached by road, chairlift or foot, gives spectacular views of the bay and Port Phillip Heads. On a clear day the view extends to the city skyline, the You Yangs and Mount Macedon.

The Enchanted Maze - An exciting adventure for all the family, with over 20 imaginative theme gardens, fully licensed restaurant, animal nursery and garden shop/gallery. Home of Australia's first Maize Maze over 1.5 hectares of maze cut into a cornfield - an annual event held from February to April. Purves Road, Arthur's Seat. Phone: (03) 5981 8449.

Ashcombe Maze & Water gardens - Get lost in Australia's oldest and largest hedge maze at Shoreham. The complex is a botanical delight with tearoom and cafe terrace serving refreshments all day. Red Hill Road, Shoreham. Phone: (03) 5989 8387.

Mt Martha Estuary Boardwalk winds along the Balcombe Creek to the Briars historic homestead.

Coolart - Recognised as being one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the nation with 15 hectares of wetlands and 3 'hides.' Coolart was established during the 1860's but during the period 1895-1907 reached its peak with the building of the redbrick mansion and planting of the English style gardens.
Lord Somers Road, Somers. Phone: (03) 5983 1333.