December 23, 2022, 4:48 am | Read time: 4 minutes

The witch-shoe-shaped Mornington Peninsula nestles to the south of Melbourne’s outskirts and serves as a nearby vacation retreat for many Melburnians. It’s a bit like the Hamptons for New Yorkers. But the peninsula in the state of Victoria is also interesting for travelers to Australia. Not only because of its charming towns, pretty beaches, and green bushland, but especially if you just want to get out of the city and relax.

All the tips and inspirations from this article are also available in the following podcast episode of In 5 Minutes Around the World – narrated by TRAVELBOOK author Anna Wengel (now Chiodo):

4 Things to Experience on the Mornington Peninsula

Peninsula Hot Springs

A highlight is definitely the Peninsula Hot Springs in the southwest of the peninsula. It’s a thermal bath with natural hot springs, including a spa and all sorts of other relaxation activities. When my husband and I were on the Mornington Peninsula in early 2020, they were unfortunately closed due to COVID-19. However, I’ve heard many people rave about these hot springs, so they make the list despite my lack of personal experience.

Bushranger’s Bay Rock Pool and Walking Track

My highlight on the peninsula was the Bushranger’s Bay Rock Pool and Walking Track. It’s a very beautiful hiking trail that ends at an equally beautiful beach. Along the way, there’s plenty of kangaroos and lush Australian bushland to see. But: It’s unfortunately no longer a secret tip, so expect various tourists. Or come at times of the day or year when it’s less crowded.

Explore Fishing Villages

On your exploration of the Mornington Peninsula, be sure to take some time for the various fishing villages. They stretch along the entire coast, and many are very charming. On the west side, they culminate in the elegant Sorrento. It’s a bit pricier but worth a visit. We also had a very good meal there, though it was quite expensive.

Sunset at Arthurs Seat

At the Arthurs Seat lookout, you’re almost guaranteed a beautiful sunset. You sit atop the mountain and look down on the Mornington Peninsula and Port Phillip Bay. And if the weather is good, meaning clear, you can even see the Melbourne skyline in the far distance. It’s a very nice atmosphere up there–or at least it was when we were there–because not only did the sky turn beautifully colorful, but there were also many seemingly happy couples. Arthurs Seat seems to be a sunset viewpoint for lovers.

Also interesting: 13 Things You Must See and Do in Melbourne

3 Service Tips for the Mornington Peninsula

How Much Money Should You Budget?

A bit, as the Mornington Peninsula isn’t exactly cheap. For accommodations, you’re looking at the high double digits at best. More often, it’s somewhere around 100-something per night, and it can always be more expensive. When it comes to food, it depends a bit on where you are and whether you want to cook for yourself or eat out. If you prefer dining out, just expect higher prices. And you may have heard that alcohol is expensive in Australia compared to Germany.

More on the topic

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Which Area is Ideal for Accommodation?

I’m not sure if there’s a bad area for accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula. We stayed in a guesthouse in Rye and liked it a lot. The location was great, and the house was nice. But we booked very spontaneously, and it wasn’t easy to find something. There are certainly better accommodations and areas. The coastal towns are all somewhat to very nice, and that’s where most accommodations are. A bit of planning ahead definitely helps here.

What’s the Best Way to Get There?

By car. There’s now a train from Melbourne to the peninsula, which is also an option. And there are buses too. But to see a lot and be flexible, a car is definitely recommended.