Good morning, Mornington

August 17, 2019 5:09 PM

As a northern ‘burbs gal, I am excitedly looking forward to housesitting in Mornington (Victoria, Australia), on the Grand Final long weekend - so close to the beach! What should I check out on the way to, and on, the peninsula?

I enjoy:

Bushwalking

Beachcombing, especially rockpool and seashell spotting

Outstanding food and local ingredients, including seafood (I can’t eat chillies)

Succulents, pelargoniums, native plants, salvias and indoor plants (nurseries, markets, roadside stalls)

Gardens

Opshops, secondhand treasures and antiques

Historic sites and museums

My partner loves swimming (I’m a paddler at best!)

I’m not fussed about:

Wineries

Coffee

I have already been to (and love):

The Vintage Shed

Pure Peninsula Honey

TuttiFrutti Artisan Gelato

I’m already aware of:

Commonfolk Coffee Company (Mornington)

Store Fifteen (Mornington)

The Australian Orchid Garden (Tyabb)

Collectors Corner/Garden World (Keysborough)

Cranbourne Botanic Gardens

The Dandenongs

What would you recommend?

posted by brushtailedphascogale to Travel & Transportation (2 answers total)

Hmm. If you can go early enough in the day, Peninsula Hotsprings might be fun, but with a long weekend that is school holiday adjacent, (actually the middle weekend, I think?) it will probably be pretty busy, later in the day. There is an adult's only section that you can buy tickets to.
posted by freethefeet at 10:25 PM on August 17, 2019

- Merricks general wine store for lunch, or Paringa Estate for a delicious fancier meal
- Tyabb packing house antiques just down the road from the Vintage Shed.
- Hike across the peninsula on the Two Bays track from McCrae to Cape Schanck. Or for something less taxing, wander through Endeavour Fern Gully, or take a picnic to Seawinds garden
- History: Cape Schanck lighthouse, McCrae homestead, and Mulberry Hill (Joan Lindsay’s house)
- Heronswood gardens, nursery and restaurant in a historic house (there’s an entry fee if you’re not a Diggers club member)
posted by Naanwhal at 3:52 AM on August 18, 2019