2 Day Mornington Peninsula Itinerary: A Road Trip from Melbourne
The Mornington Peninsula sits about 90 minutes south of Melbourne CBD, making it one of the easiest weekend escapes in Victoria. Two days gives you enough time to cover the hinterland wineries, a couple of national parks, the famous hot springs, and still catch a movie at one of Australia’s last remaining drive-ins.
This itinerary covers the best of both sides of the Peninsula, from the rolling hills of the hinterland to the rugged coastal cliffs at Cape Schanck.
The Mornington Peninsula is the land of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung Aboriginal people.
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Day 1: Explore the Mornington Hinterland
Begin your peninsula road trip by driving down the EastLink Highway from Melbourne CBD. As you travel, you’ll see four large artworks that belong to the longest open-air sculpture park in Australia.
Don’t stop your vehicle. These pieces are designed to be seen in motion.
Emu Plains Market
Your first stop is Emu Plains Market in Balnarring, held on the third Saturday of the month from October to April. The market sits under a canopy of stringybarks at Emu Plains Reserve, which keeps it cool even on warm days.
Browse over 200 stallholders selling handmade goods, vintage finds, fresh produce, and gourmet food. There’s live music all day and a bar stocked with local beer and cider.
Note: the market doesn’t run from May to September. If you’re visiting outside those months, head straight to Pt Leo Estate instead.
Where: Coolart Rd Balnarring
When: 3rd Saturday of the month from October to April, from 9am to 2pm.
Pt Leo Estate
After the market, drive down to Pt Leo Estate on the eastern side of the Peninsula.
I had lunch at Pt Leo Restaurant — the food was great and sitting there looking out over the sculptures is a pretty special way to spend an afternoon. Laura is the fine dining option if you want to make more of an occasion of it, or the Wine Terrace if you’d rather keep it casual.
Book a wine tasting at the Cellar Door after lunch, then walk off the meal exploring the sculpture park. The outdoor gallery has over 70 works by Australian and international artists — you can do the 1.9km short walk or the longer 3km route.
It’s an easy stroll along a circular promenade, perfect for working off the lunch you had earlier.
Where: 3649 Frankston-Flinders Road, Merricks
When: Sculpture Park open daily 11am-5pm, last entry 4:30pm
Cost: $15 adults, $8 concession, $30 family pass (2 adults and 2 children aged 12-17). Free for under 12s. Complimentary entry for diners.
Mornington Peninsula National Park and Cape Schanck
Your next stop is Mornington Peninsula National Park at Cape Schanck on the southernmost tip of the Peninsula. Entry is free.
Walk the coastal cliffs, woodlands and beaches and keep an eye out for kangaroos, wallabies and bandicoots. At low tide, head down the boardwalk past the pebble beach to the Cape Schanck rock pools.
The Cape Schanck Lighthouse has been operating since 1859 and is considered the most original lighthouse in Australia, it still uses its original lens. Guided tower climb tours run on weekends, school holidays and public holidays, on the hour from 11am to 4pm. Tours are run by The Lady of History and tickets can be bought on site at the kiosk.
The walk down the boardwalk to Pulpit Rock is easy going. Look out for Pulpit Rock and the Devil’s Desk on your right — both formed by volcanic activity. It’s a bit of a slog back up on a windy day but nothing that’ll challenge anyone with average fitness.
Where: 420 Cape Schanck Rd, Cape Schanck
When: Reserve open daily 6am-6pm. Lighthouse tours weekends, school holidays and public holidays, 11am-4pm
Cost: Lighthouse tours $16 adults, $9 children (3-14 years), $45 family (2 adults and 2 children)
End the day with an old school drive in experience.
Dromana 3 Drive-In
End Day 1 at Dromana 3 Drive-In, a heritage and National Trust listed outdoor cinema that’s been running since 1962. It has 3 screens showing current release films, with two sessions per screen each night. There’s also a separate deckchair cinema if you’d rather watch outside your car.
Shel’s Diner on site serves food in the classic 1950s diner style. Gates open at 4pm weekends and 5pm weekdays.
If you’re visiting in January, the Peninsula Film Festival runs annually at Rosebud Village Green — up to 20 short films screened outdoors and judged by a live panel. General admission from $10.
Where: 133 Nepean Hwy Dromana
When: Summer & School Holidays – 7 Nights per week. Check the website for other times.
Day 2: Sightsee in the Mornington Peninsula
Peninsula Hot Springs
Start Day 2 at Peninsula Hot Springs in Fingal, about 90 minutes from Melbourne. This is Victoria’s first natural geothermal mineral springs and one of the most popular stops on the Peninsula, so book ahead, it fills quickly on weekends and during school holidays.
The Bath House is the family-friendly area with over 50 pools and bathing experiences, including a cave pool, Turkish steam bath, cold plunge pools and the hilltop pool with 360-degree views over the region. It’s worth visiting in any season — busier in winter with tour groups, but the springs stay comfortable year-round.
If you go early, the hilltop pool at sunrise is worth the effort.
Where: 140 Springs Ln, Fingal
When: Daily, approximately 6:30am-10pm. Check the website for session times and to book.
Point Nepean National Park
Head to the westerly tip of the Peninsula for Point Nepean National Park. The warmer months are the best time to visit — some areas close during severe storms, so check Parks Victoria before you go.
The Quarantine Station is worth a look — nearly 50 heritage-listed buildings tell the story of the thousands of immigrants who passed through here before being allowed into Melbourne.
I found it genuinely fascinating, though I’ll admit I’m a history lover. If that’s not your thing, hire a bike at the park entrance and ride out to Fort Nepean instead, the military fortifications and tunnels with views over Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait are worth the trip either way.
There’s also a hop-on hop-off shuttle bus running between the Quarantine Station and Fort Nepean from 10:30am to 4pm daily if you’d rather skip the legs entirely.
Hikers can also do the 8km return walk between the Quarantine Station and Eagles Nest through coastal bushland.
Where: Ochiltree Rd, Portsea
When: Vehicles 6am-6pm daily (6am-8pm daylight saving). Pedestrians and cyclists any time. Quarantine Station buildings 9am-4:30pm daily.
Arthurs Seat Lookouts
Head inland and start the drive back towards Melbourne. Entry to Arthurs Seat State Park is free, which makes it one of the better budget stops on the Peninsula.
Walk the short track to Arthur’s Seat Lookout first — you get Port Phillip Bay, the hinterland and Melbourne’s beaches from here. Bring binoculars if you have them, the Bellarine Peninsula is visible across the water on a clear day.
Continue up to Murray’s Lookout for views of Safety Beach, Red Hill and Sorrento Beach.
One tip: skip the early morning visit in cooler months. The fog sits low over the bay and you won’t see much. Aim for mid-morning onwards.
Where: 791 Arthurs Seat Rd, Arthurs Seat
When: open 24 hours a day
Arthurs Seat Eagle
Avoid walking back down the Arthurs Seat road. Instead, take the Eagle down to the base to re-experience the sights and scenery of your Mornington Peninsula road trip.
The Gondolas will fly you down from the Summit Station and over the breathtaking scenery of this region, including Red Hill town, Main Ridge, the Melbourne beaches and Victoria.
Where: 1085 Arthurs Seat Rd, Arthurs Seat
When: 10am-5pm weekdays, 6pm pm weekends
Where to Stay for Your Mornington Getaway
These are the picks worth the splurge for a special occasion.
Planning a Romantic Weekend on the Mornington Peninsula?
These 5 star options are perfect if you are planning a special birthday, anniversary or romantic weekend away!
Lakeside Villas at Crittenden Estate – All one-bedroom villas feature a fully equipped kitchen, surrounded by beautiful vineyards, these holiday homes are a 2-minute drive from Hickinbotham of Dromana and a 6-minute drive from Dromana Estate.
Port Phillip Estate – the suites have a deep bathtub and views that do most of the work for you. A solid anniversary or birthday choice.
RACV Cape Schanck Resort – Looking out over Bass Strait and Port Philip Bay Cape Schanck Resort offers a heated outdoor pool, restaurant and bar. From deluxe hotel rooms to 3 bedroom villas the range of accommodation is among the best on the peninsula.
Budget Accommodation Along the Mornington Peninsula
Portsea Hotel – a 2 minutes walk from Portsea Beach, Portsea Hotel offers a number of suites and double rooms some with balconies. There is an onsite restaurant and bar.
Quest Frankston on the Bay – Quest is right in the centre of the Frankston restaurant precinct and less than 200 m from the beach – a great choice for families and groups with everything from studios to 2 bedroom apartments.
Mercure Portsea – a small 24-room hotel set within the Portsea Golf Club on London Bridge Road, with views across the course and Port Phillip Bay. Breakfast and lunch served on site, but no dinner.
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