Perfectly placed 1.5 hours from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula is an ideal location for a weekend away.
We chose Blairgowrie as it is close to the end of the peninsula which means the bay beaches and ocean beaches were no more than 2 kms apart.
Leaving home at 5pm on Friday, we quickly booked a nice restaurant in Blairgowrie for dinner that night. Panda Blairgowrie was a fabulous choice. Great food and service – the weekend was off to a great start.
Blairgowrie bay beach
Saturday morning we decided to walk along Blairgowrie beach and indulge in our photography hobbies – John being a much more serious hobby photographer than myself. There are so many great photo opportunities, with the soft morning light on a very picturesque coastal stretch. Dog walkers, swimmers, stand-up paddle boarders and members of the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron gathered near the coffee shop discussing the lack of wind, all enjoying the start of the weekend.
Dimmicks Beach
After lunch we visited Dimmicks Beach, one of a few we hadn’t been to before. Like many beaches on the ocean side of the peninsula, it is a visual feast with rock platforms and rock pools and small waterfalls cascading off the rock platforms. We didn’t stay as long as we might have because we were attached by pesky bitey March flies! And with no bug spray on us we had to make a hasty retreat.
Bridgewater Bay – a favourite
Our next stop was a favourite of ours since we discovered it last year – Bridgewater Bay. Go at low tide and there are fabulous rock pools and the locally renowned “The Rock” where the young and/or fearless climb up to various platforms on this rock and jump into the blue-green pool below. The water is a unique blue/green colour and it’s very entertaining watching the jumpers. Some platforms are not too high, but the bravest can jump from the very top. And nearby there is a beautiful rock arch. A very popular beach for good reason.
Back to our little cottage Petite Provence for an afternoon nap and then out again to Sorrento for a walk along the bay beach and have a glass of wine looking out on to the beach with the Sorrento/Queenscliff ferry coming and going. Oh what a hard life! Up to main street for a quick Asian noodle salad – no nice sunset tonight I’m afraid – too much cloud and getting a bit cool. Then headed home for a quiet night after a day full of sunshine and salty air.
After an interrupted night because of a faulty fire alarm going off (since fixed I believe), we had a delicious brunch down in Sorrento and then headed off for our next beach of the weekend.
Montfort’s Beach
Montfort’s beach was suggested by a couple of my Instagram friends and we were very glad we went. Like some of the ocean beaches, you have a 5-10 min walk from the carpark to the beach, which is great because it means the beach won’t be too crowded. A fabulous beach with rock sculptures, one resembling a rabbit! Quite a good surf beach if you love to surf or watch the surfers. The ocean beaches are generally not swimming beaches as the currents are strong and they are a bit wild. Only the surfers venture out. Swimmers should head to the bay beaches, 2 kms away.
Discovered a new Mornington Peninsula Winery
Finished off our afternoon at a winery. The Mornington Peninsula has a plethora of good wineries, many with a cellar door and café/restaurant. Panton’s Vineyard was a delightful surprise – another discovery from Instagram. Beautiful wines and probably the best cheese platter we’ve had whilst sitting in beautiful gardens and looking out on to a beautiful view. We’ll be back!
What a satisfying wonderful weekend we had. Although we often visit the Mornington Peninsula due to it close proximity to where we live, we still managed to visit several places we hadn’t been to before. The weather was pretty good of course, which it should be in February!
So I can only recommend doing something similar for those of you that live in Melbourne. And for those of you that don’t, if you plan to visit Melbourne, perhaps consider a couple of nights down the Peninsula.
Useful links:
Mornington Peninsula sounds like a perfect weekend getaway. Love the beach walk and the winery. Lovely pictures once again. I only wish I lived in Australia now. Maybe someday, I will make it to this part of the world 🙂
Thanks Georgina, yes we are a long way from everyone outside Australia. I hope you do make a trip here one day!