Things to do on the Mornington Peninsula
Our office is in Mornington and we look after homes from Mount Eliza to Portsea. This is what we tell guests to do while they're here.
Our office is in Mornington and we look after homes from Mount Eliza to Portsea. This is what we tell guests to do while they're here.
The Peninsula has two very different coasts. The bay side, from Mount Martha to Sorrento, has calm water, beach boxes and long piers, so it's the place to swim with young kids or take out a paddle board. The ocean side, from Portsea to Flinders, faces Bass Strait. It has surf, rock pools and cliff-top walks, and strong rips, so swim between the flags.
The beach is the main reason people come. Tourism Research Australia's 2024 figures show 82% of overnight visitors to the Peninsula went to the beach, and 74% ate out.
Between the two coasts are the hills of Red Hill, Main Ridge and Merricks, with cellar doors, restaurants, orchards and farm-gate stalls. Most are 20 to 30 minutes from our Mount Martha and Rye homes. Book ahead for lunch on summer weekends, and sort out a driver or a tour if you're doing more than one cellar door.
Mornington has the biggest main street on the Peninsula, with cafes, restaurants and a street market on Wednesdays. Dromana, a few minutes down the bay, has wineries, a distillery and a wine bar close together.
Peninsula Hot Springs at Fingal is our pick for a rainy day or a slow morning. The chairlift up Arthurs Seat gives you the view across the whole bay. At the tip, Point Nepean National Park has walking and cycling tracks out to the old fort and quarantine station.
With kids, The Briars at Mount Martha has walking trails and a wildlife sanctuary. Golfers have The Dunes at Rye and Flinders Golf Club on the cliffs at Flinders. The car ferry from Sorrento crosses to Queenscliff in about 40 minutes, which makes an easy day trip.
Christmas to the end of January is the busy season, when beaches and restaurants are full. Two dates for summer 2026/27: the Peninsula Summer Music Festival at Peninsula Hot Springs on 2 January 2027, and Portsea Polo at Point Nepean on Saturday 13 February 2027.
February and March are often the best months, with warm water and fewer people. Winter is quiet, and good for the hot springs, an open fire and a long lunch in the hills.
Book a Lively home direct and these places give you something extra. Partners can change their offers, so your guidebook has the current list before you arrive. How guest perks work.
2 complimentary glasses of wine
Trofeo Estate, Dromana
Two complimentary glasses of wine when you dine in the restaurant.
How to claim: Mention you're staying with Lively.
One free meal when 3 or more of you have breakfast
The Winey Cow, Mornington
Come in for breakfast with three or more people and one meal is on the house.
How to claim: Mention you're staying with Lively.
10% off the Food & Wine Taste Trail
Explore Australia, Mornington Peninsula
10% off Explore Australia's Mornington Peninsula Food & Wine Taste Trail, a full-day tour with pick-up.
How to claim: Book through Lively. Call or email us and we'll arrange it.
10% off the Hot Springs & Bathing Boxes day tour
Peninsula Hot Springs Tour, Mornington Peninsula
10% off Explore Australia's day tour to Peninsula Hot Springs and the Brighton bathing boxes. Transport is included.
How to claim: Book through Lively. Call or email us and we'll arrange it.
Guest perk2 complimentary glasses of wine
Biodynamic vineyard and winery in Dromana, with wine tasting under a sky of terracotta amphorae.
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Guest perkOne free meal when 3 or more of you have breakfast
Popular Mornington café, renowned for its vibrant breakfast and brunch plates.
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Exceptional grazing platters built on fresh, locally-sourced Peninsula produce.
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Family-owned vineyard specialising in premium cool-climate wines.
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Celebrated winery and restaurant pairing award-winning wines with quietly precise fine dining.
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Sophisticated restaurant and wine bar offering multi-course tasting menus.
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Lunch, art, and wine adventure combining dining, sculpture, and sweeping bay views.
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Craft distillery specialising in premium rums, with guided tours and tastings.
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A small bar with an exquisite selection of fine wines and craft cocktails.
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Producing high-quality, small-batch wines with a quiet focus on sustainability.
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Fine dining for a signature evening — slow plates, long views, and exceptional wine.
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Personalised private dining experience built around locally-sourced seasonal ingredients.
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Wine bar known for its relaxed atmosphere, curated wine list, and charcuterie boards.
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Guest perk10% off the Food & Wine Taste Trail
Full-day food and wine tours with tastings, sightseeing, and regional depth.
Perk details →
Guest perk10% off the Hot Springs & Bathing Boxes day tour
Day tour combining Peninsula Hot Springs with the famous Brighton bathing boxes.
Perk details →
Horseback riding along the back beaches and bushland of the Mornington Peninsula.
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Championship links-style course, rated among Australia's top public golf courses.
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Surf lessons for all ages and abilities — safety first, fun close behind.
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A cliff-top golf course at Flinders, on the ocean side of the Peninsula.
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Unforgettable marine encounters — swim with wild dolphins and seals off Sorrento.
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Indoor golf simulators in Mornington. Good for a rainy afternoon.
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Wellness and relaxation modalities designed for biohacking enthusiasts — cold plunge, infrared, and recovery.
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Mornington's newest bathhouse, built around slow, considered rejuvenation rituals.
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Hydrotherapy pools, steam rooms, and tailored treatments drawing on Australian botanicals.
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