Exploring Mornington Peninsula - Perfect For Beachside Trips

This is a guest post by Ebony Matheson for adrenalin.com.au

If you're looking for a quick weekend trip destination from Melbourne, look no further. The Mornington Peninsula is your very best bet; not only is this boot-shaped peninsula reminiscent of the Mediterranean, it is also rife with history and picturesque sights and sounds.

Explore The Lush National Parks

The Peninsula's most prominent and lush national park, the 25,000-hectare Point Nepean, is open to the public again. Go ahead and rent a bicycle and explore the cycle and pedestrian roads. There are several wartime military installations at the tip of Point Nepean that are worth a look. Enjoy the quiet beaches, the history, the windswept cliff-tops, and the bush-lined paths at Point Nepean.

Go Wine Cellar Hopping!

Mornington Peninsula has more than 50 cellar doors, which produce some excellent Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Grigio. Go on a wine-tasting tour, and be sure to pick up some locally-made produce. Enjoy a fine meal at one of the many fine restaurants to the accompaniment of a locally-produced wine.

The Seaside Beckons You!

Fishers, head out to Port Phillip; horse-lovers, the sands of the Gunnamatta Beach beckon you. All those who love the excitement of scuba diving, sailing, and bay surfing, head over to Portsea Ocean Beach.

The Portsea Ocean Beach national park's weathered cliffs and wide sandy beaches are famous for their surf breaks. Go ocean fishing and swimming, and explore the many walking tracks here.

Flinders Ocean Beach has magnificent rock pools at Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary. Enjoy this lovely white sand beach surrounded by basalt cliffs, and the huge mushroom-shaped rock platform that extends to the ocean reef at low tide.

Cape Schanck is stunning; explore the rich colonial history (check out the old lighthouse), wild beaches, volcanic drama, magnificent ocean views, and beautiful walking tracks.

The Sorrento Back Beach is a beacon for swimmers, surfers and nature lovers. Children will love to explore the many rock pools at low tide.

Bushrangers Bay is sandy; wild waves crash into jagged rocks here. Surrounded by basalt cliffs, it's a perfect family beach.

Blairgowrie Back Beach has towering calcareous sandstone cliffs and white sands. There's also a very intriguing rock formation in the form of a lizard's head around the headland towards Rye.

Bridgewater Bay is a protected sandy beach with stunning cliff-top views and exciting rock pools at low tide. The entire bay is surrounded by towering cliffs, forming a natural amphitheatre.

Enjoy The Perfect Leisurely Holiday

Explore the many seaside villages and the long coastline via enchanting country roads.- Enjoy the glorious views as you travel by ferry from Western Port Bay to French Island or Phillip Island or from Sorrento to Queenscliff.- Wander the many walking tracks along the coastline from London Bridge to Bushrangers Bay, and Greens Bush. Orange tracks indicate long walks, while blue markers indicate circuit walks.- Take in the spectacular views of the rocky Bass Straight coastline at Flinders Blowhole track. Majestic sea eagles rest on Little Bird Rock on the way.- Enjoy Mornington Peninsula's 18 golf courses, heritage mansions, art and craft galleries, gracious gardens, local markets and antique stores.

Ebony Matheson is a well-known travel writer; she contributes freelance articles to www.adrenalin.com.au. She has travelled extensively throughout Australia.