Discover the Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula Culture

The natural beauty of the Mornington Peninsula has spawned a thriving interest in the arts, and inspired painters, photographers and craftspeople. Their work can be seen on display in the local galleries.

Some of Australia's best-known artists have painted their impressions of Port Phillip's picturesque shoreline on canvas, including McCubbin, Streeton, von Guerard, Mather and Roberts. Follow the Artists' Trails, discover the scenery for yourself and compare it to the interpretative boards that depict and explain the work of those artists.

The Peninsula also has a diverse range of museums that describe and display its rich history.

The Mornington Peninsula Community

The Mornington Peninsula is located just over an hour's drive away from the city, on Melbourne's 'doorstep', and is often described as Melbourne's playground. It is the most popular informal recreation area in Victoria.

The Mornington Peninsula is a 720 square kilometre boot-shaped promontory separating two contrasting bays: Port Phillip and Western Port. 'The Peninsula', as it is affectionately known to local residents, contains a diversity of scenic landscapes and is almost surrounded by the sea, with coastal boundaries of over 190 kilometres, a total of approximately 10% of Victoria's coastline. It is a mixture of urban areas, resort towns, tourist development and rural land.

The Mornington Peninsula Association

Our wineries offer 50 cellar doors, along with restaurants and cafes set in beautifully landscaped gardens and on terraces overlooking the vines. A wine-tasting can stretch into lunch or dinner, and then into an overnight stay in a luxurious suite.

A game of golf on one of our 18 courses can also stretch into a post-game drink on a shady verandah, dinner in a fine restaurant and a night in a resort hotel right on the golf course.

Hidden along our hinterland roads are European-style country retreats, intimate hotels, cottages and charming B&Bs. Our coastal accommodation includes beachside luxury in contemporary suites, limestone-and-lace B&Bs and heritage hotels - all with a bonus of fresh sea breezes.

How far do you have to travel to indulge in all this? We're just an hour from Melbourne, even though our Mediterranean-like coastline may make you feel we're a world away.

To plan your Mornington Peninsula holiday, visit our Activities and Attractions page and Tours and Trails pages. Our Trip Planner pages will help you put it all together, as will our pages on Sub Region and their villages. If you'd like free, expert advice on accommodation and your bookings made, just go to our Visitor Information and bookings page.

The Mornington Investement Opportunities

Wild coastline, breathtaking scenery, spectacular views, tranquil gardens... the Mornington Peninsula has it all! Only an hour's drive from Melbourne and situated on Port Philip Bay, the Mornington Peninsula is a touch of the Mediterranean right here in Victoria.

With its vineyards, olive groves, historic country houses, national parks, bustling restaurants, galleries, local markets, sporting facilities and golf courses- the Mornington Peninsula offers the ideal lifestyle in the perfect setting.

Being surrounded by water, the Mornington Peninsula offers both ocean and bay beaches and a huge array of water-based activities, from from sailing to scuba diving, fishing to surfing.

At ConleyLUFF we're committed to the growth of the Mornington Peninsula region. As major sponsors for both the Mornington Bowling Clubs and Mornington Football Club, we're re-investing in our local community. For the local touch, choose ConleyLUFF.

Benefits of the Mornington Peninsula

The Shire of Mornington Peninsula is the furthest local council from Melbourne's Central Business District. With more than 190 kilometres of coastline stretching along Port Phillip Bay's southeastern coastline, the Mornington Peninsula has been a favoured holiday resort for generations. It is home to Sorrento, the site of the first European settlement in Victoria. Its mix of urban areas, resort towns, tourism developments and rural areas makes it an interesting and diverse area. The population can swell to around 200,000 during the peak summer holiday season.

Population: 136,482

Cultural diversity: Around 17.1 percent of people living in Mornington Peninsula were born outside Australia. Migrants have settled in Mornington Peninsula from:

England (7.6%)
New Zealand (1.3%)
Scotland (1.1%)
Italy (0.7%)
Netherlands (0.7%)
Main suburbs:

Mount Eliza
Rosebud
Portsea
Hastings

Education: Visit Schools Online and search for the main suburbs listed above to find schools in Mornington Peninsula. There are no universities and one Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institution in this municipality. To find out more about TAFEs, visit the Skills Victoria website.

Healthcare: There are three hospitals in Mornington Peninsula

Major industries:
Tourism
Iron and steel manufacturing
Building construction