Mornington Peninsula has the versatility to be almost whatever you want it to be. A stunning stretch of coastline only an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Peninsula changes faces depending upon which part of it you visit. The Northern Peninsula is home to wineries, gardens, galleries and golf courses. The Southern Peninsula is the social hub where the welcoming locals and beautiful people hang out in beachside cafes.
Western Port Bays is perfect for those seeking a slower pace of life. The Peninsula Hinterland has a strong food and wine community, amidst gorgeous farming countryside and olive groves reminiscent of the Mediterranean and finally, Frankston is the place to head for culture vultures and artistic types. The Mornington Peninsula has it covered and you can cherry pick your favourite past times or you can extend your stay and take in the full flavour of it all. There are many tours available that pick out the highlights of each part of the Peninsula, but really the best way to satisfy your own tastes is to hire a car and tailor make your trip to indulge in whatever takes your fancy! You will be openly welcomed wherever you go for this is a little part of the world that doesn’t do worries and with as gorgeous a backdrop as this, why would you need to?

The Northern Peninsula

If you fancy yourself as the next Tiger Woods, then it would be a good idea to base your stay in the Northern Peninsula where you can tee off to your heart’s content on some world class golf courses (although there are fabulous courses in other parts of Mornington Peninsula too). Some of the courses are challenging for beginners but don’t let that put you off as you can always drown your sorrows with a glass or 3 of fine wine later in one of the region’s open cellar vineyards! In fact this part of the Peninsula is home to the noted wineries of Moorooduc so you don’t really need an excuse to while away an afternoon pandering to your palette!! 
The Northern Peninsula is a charming mix of coastline and countryside and you can lose yourself in the beauty of your surroundings. There are wonderfully idyllic spots to pull over and have a picnic and if you have any artistic veins there are galleries galore here so you can find the perfect evocative piece of Mornington art to spice up your home. 
Spend the afternoon harbour side watching the yachts gently bobbing up and down on the calm water and the brightly coloured beach huts lining the promenade on sandy beaches become the hub of seaside activity.

The Southern Peninsula

If you fancy hanging out with the hip and sophisticated, then you should head to the Southern Peninsula. Like the hinterland, there’s no doubt that this part of the Peninsula has a Mediterranean feel and with names like Sorrento you could be forgiven for thinking you were on the Italian coast rather than Australia!! The villages of Portsea and Sorrento are where you will rub shoulders with the Peninsula’s eclectic crowd of the rich and beautiful, the bohemian and the young trend setters, all jostling for a cafe table with a gorgeous seaside view to kick back with a late morning latte and settle in for the area’s favourite past-time of people watching! 
The area is thickly set with stylish cliff-top seaside mansions which you can gaze at with envy as you take a coastal walk along the beautiful beaches and bays. Round the morning off by dining in one of the contemporary ‘up to the minute’ restaurants along the front.

Western Port Bay

Nature, nurture and nibbles in a cosy laid back atmosphere? If that’s what’s on your menu then Western Port Bay is the place for you! The pace of life is much slower here than its frenetic neighbours and will soon rub off on you. This is the main wine region of the Mornington Peninsula and you could easily while away a spectacular day hopping from vineyard to vineyard partaking of the local grape! Specialities include chardonnay and pinot noir. Relaxation supreme, which is what holidays should be all about. Village life continues on as it always has done and you’ll find this is the sort of place where locals have time to stop and talk and to share some of the less well known secrets of the region to entice you. 
For nature lovers, Western Port Bay is the point from which you can take a ferry across to the renowned Phillip Island to have close encounters with penguins, seals and koalas. Combine a stay in Western Port Bay with a trip to Phillip Island and you’ll experience a trip worth writing home about.

The Peninsula Hinterland

Just as the Southern Peninsula is reminiscent of the Mediterranean coast, the Peninsula Hinterland is reminiscent of the Mediterranean countryside, with its rustic olive groves, rural farming countryside and strong love of food and wine. It is that real down to earth appreciation of home grown produce alongside gourmet concoctions that is a winner with all who visit.
Making an idyllic rural hideaway, the Peninsula Hinterland is dotted with boutique country retreats to provide every comfort during your stay in an area that will carry you far away from any usual routine humdrum of life and transport you to times of countryside walks and lazy picnics in the sun eating freshly cooked bread dipped in locally made olive oil, with a bottle of your favourite wine and a punnet of huge fresh organic strawberries. Or have lunch served in style on a terrace overlooking the vines at one of over 60 open vineyards in the area.

Frankston and Surrounds

Frankston and its surrounds is the first area of the Mornington Peninsula you will stumble upon when driving from Melbourne. Again this area is an attractive mix of picturesque coast and countryside which is in itself enough to entice you to stay awhile. 
However, the area’s major pull is its cultural attractions. There is a 17km self-drive Coastal Arts Discovery Trail, featuring displays of public art organised by the council who commissioned some of Australia’s most talented sculptors and artists to create works that highlight the rich cultural heritage.

Sleeping

Play at Lord and Lady of the manor at one of the many historic homesteads and elegant country retreats nestled amongst the vineyards in the hinterland region. Staying in style becomes as much a part of the holiday as trips out to explore the area.
Or you will be spoilt for choice with beach side b&bs perfect for families or for couples enjoying romantic weekend strolls along the beaches. 
There are contemporary boutique hotels that would look equally at home in one of the hip cities such as Sydney or Melbourne. Or for more rustic accommodation try a farm stay, where you might be invited to muck in and help with the chores – something the kids will revel in!! 
All in all, there is something to suit everyone.