Mount Eliza

Day Trips

Start your day with a sunrise stroll along the Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk, breathing in crisp sea air and admiring jagged sandstone cliffs. The trail leads you past hidden coves and native scrublands alive with bird calls. Each step brings you closer to the iconic granite sculptures scattered among the landscape.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a beachfront café in Mount Eliza Village, sampling fresh oysters and crisp local sauvignon blanc. In the early afternoon, explore the nearby McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery, where contemporary artworks nestle among lush gardens. Wander winding paths to discover towering steel forms and vibrant installations beneath a canopy of eucalyptus.

Return to your accommodation for a sunset barbecue on the deck, watching golden light glitter on Port Phillip Bay. As darkness falls, take a brief walk to the nearby pier for stargazing over calm waters. Cap off the night with a glass of regional chardonnay by a crackling fire pit.

Meet the dawn at Canadian Bay Beach, where gentle surf and soft sands invite you for a revitalizing morning swim. A yoga session on the shoreline sets a mindful tone for the hours ahead. The rising sun paints pastel hues across the calm horizon.

Pack a gourmet picnic basket filled with artisan cheeses, crusty bread and seasonal fruit from Mount Eliza’s farmers’ market. Find a shady spot in Emil Madsen Reserve, overlooking the bay, and relish your spread amidst singing cicadas and rustling leaves. After lunch, lounge beneath towering gum trees or paddle a kayak into glassy waters.

Head back to Mount Eliza pier for an early evening fishing session or simply watch local anglers cast lines into twilight. Then dine at a waterfront bistro, savouring pan-seared snapper with herb butter and a crisp local riesling. The day closes with the soothing rhythm of lapping waves and distant lights twinkling on Mornington’s shoreline.

Set out to the hinterland red soils for a sunrise tour of Red Hill Estate’s vineyards, learning about biodynamic viticulture. You’ll taste tender Chardonnay grapes straight from the vine and breathe in the earthy aroma of dew-kissed rows. The morning mist drifting across sloping vineyards feels almost magical.

Continue along the gourmet trail to Stonier Wines where cellar doors beckon with pinot noir flights and Tasmanian sparkling. Pair your tastings with house-made antipasto plates featuring local olives, charcuterie and smoked trout. A behind-the-scenes tour of the barrel room reveals oak secrets that shape each signature vintage.

As daylight tucks behind rolling hills, share a rustic dinner at Montalto Restaurant, perched among olive groves. Feast on saffron-infused risotto and grass-fed lamb while panoramic vineyard views glow in twilight. Sip a late-night fortified shiraz by an open fireplace before returning to Mount Eliza.

Step back in time at McCrae Homestead, one of the Peninsula’s oldest dwellings, where period furnishings and historic letters tell settlers’ tales. A guided tour immerses you in 19th-century life, from humble kitchens to original gardens. The morning sun casts a soft glow on timber beams and heritage roses.

Head to Seawinds Gardens in Arthurs Seat National Park for a sensory journey through exotic and indigenous flora. Wander through bright fuchsia and camellia tunnels, pausing to photograph sculpted hedges against bay vistas. A picnic lunch amid towering eucalypts brings you close to grey kangaroos grazing nearby.

Return via the Dromana Drive scenic route, stopping at Arthurs Seat Eagle for a twilight gondola ride above twinkling lights. Below, coastal towns glitter like jewels alongside the dark stretch of Bass Strait. Conclude your heritage-themed day with artisanal gelato at Mount Eliza Village.

Rise early for a guided sea kayaking expedition departing from Mornington Pier, carving through glassy waters and spotting playful dolphins. Your guide points out secluded caves and dramatic cliffs only accessible by kayak. The salt-tinged breeze and rhythmic paddle strokes invigorate you completely.

After a beachfront picnic of smoked salmon wraps, switch to stand-up paddleboarding along the calm bayside, weaving between yacht masts and floating pontoons. Keep an eye out for leafy seadragons drifting in the shallows. Then enjoy a quick beach volleyball game with friendly locals at Mount Eliza Beach.

Chase the sunset aboard a Hobie Cat sailing charter, skimming across the bay on gentle evening breezes. Feel the spray of the sea as sails billow and laughter fills the air. Cap off your adrenaline day with wood-fired pizzas and craft beer back at a cozy seaside tavern.

Drive to Mornington Peninsula National Park for a dawn bushwalk along the Bushrangers Bay track, where blooming wildflowers carpet the trail each spring. Listen for kookaburras and watch echidnas ambling through undergrowth. The crisp morning air and expansive ocean views replenish your spirit.

Visit Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, hand-feeding kangaroos and meeting koalas in an elevated boardwalk setting. Take part in a wildlife encounter talk to learn about local conservation efforts. Enjoy a riverside lunch at the sanctuary café, shaded by towering wattles.

Return to Mount Eliza and unwind with a gentle stroll through Kunyung Road Reserve, where native birdlife calls as dusk settles. Dine at a farm-to-table restaurant, indulging in slow-cooked duck breast with quince glaze. The day ends in peaceful contentment as local cello music drifts from a nearby arts centre.

Start at Mount Eliza Village Markets, where stalls brim with handmade ceramics, linen throws and freshly baked sourdough. Chat with artists about their inspiration while sampling organic coffee from a roving barista van. The vibrant bustle and artisanal finds make for a lively morning.

Explore the Peninsula Gallery in Mornington, housing exhibitions by regional painters and sculptors. Join a curator-led tour to uncover hidden narratives behind abstract works and landscape pieces. Then sketch your own seaside scene on a blank canvas in the gallery’s studio corner.

Attend a sunset workshop at Artisans on the Bay, learning pottery wheel techniques under expert guidance. As golden light filters through floor-to-ceiling windows, mold clay into personal keepsakes. Finish with a glass of pinot gris among fellow creatives, sharing stories of the day.

Visit Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm to pick succulent berries at peak ripeness, their sweet fragrance filling the air. Learn about sustainable farming methods from passionate growers as you wander rows of fruit and vegetable plots. Sample freshly warmed strawberry jam with morning tea.

Return to a rustic farmhouse kitchen for a hands-on cooking class led by a local chef, crafting three-course meals using your morning’s harvest. Chop, sauté and season under expert guidance, then plate dishes like heirloom tomato tartlets and strawberry panna cotta. Enjoy your creations paired with cool-climate chardonnay.

Take a twilight tractor ride through lavender fields as dusk settles, the scent of blooms mingling with evening air. Return to the farmhouse to dine by candlelight on farm-fresh produce and locally cured meats. The day concludes around a communal fire pit, roasting marshmallows and swapping recipes.

Make an early reservation at Peninsula Hot Springs, immersing in warm geothermal pools surrounded by native bushland. Drift between mineral-infused baths and private spa pods, letting tension melt away. A gentle mist rises from the springs as birdsong greets the dawn.

Indulge in a signature thermal massage at the on-site spa, where therapists target tight muscles with hot-stone therapy. Afterward, lounge poolside with a detox juice and tuck into a seasonal salad bowl at the café. Time seems to slow as you sink deeper into relaxation.

Watch the sky aflame at sunset from a private wellness deck overlooking rolling paddocks. Savor a light, flavourful dinner of grilled local seafood and root-vegetable medleys at the spring’s restaurant. Return to Mount Eliza for a restful night in a boutique inn.

Greet your final sunrise with a beachfront yoga session led by a local instructor, balancing poses on soft sand as waves lap gently. The salty breeze and warming sun deepen each stretch and breath. A light green tea and bliss ball await you post-practice.

Set sail on a half-day bay cruise departing from Mornington, with a gourmet lunch of sashimi, grain salads and artisanal cheeses served aboard. Glide past coastal landmarks while a naturalist onboard points out marine life. Relax on deck chairs, soaking in panoramic vistas of Phillip Island in the distance.

Disembark at Mount Eliza pier just as evening lights begin to twinkle, then stroll along the foreshore under a canopy of stars. Celebrate your immersive journey with dinner at a cliff-top restaurant, toasting with a final glass of local pinot noir. Reflect on memorable moments as the gentle night breeze carries whispers of the sea.