Visitor Publications

Townships

Listed below are the major and minor townships of the Mornington Peninsula.

Arthurs Seat

Arthurs Seat marks the highest point of the Mornington Peninsula. At 302 metres it not only provides panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay from its many lookouts and rural roads, but a wealth of things to do within a five minute walk of the summit. Read More >>

Bittern

Established around the Warragine Creek, Bittern is named after the shy wetland bird, which underlines the town's location amidst significant areas of native bushland and dense coastal vegetation. Read More >>

Cape Schanck

Cape Schanck , Mornington Peninsula. Read More >>

Dromana

Nestled in the valley between the twin peaks of Arthurs Seat and Mount Martha. Housing development in Dromana has crept up its vegetated hillside during recent years, providing stunning views of Port Phillip Bay from many of the streets. Read More >>

Flinders

Flinders Village offers a relaxing atmosphere and is enjoyed by many day trippers as well as holiday makers. Read More >>

French Island

Until recent times French Island was one of Victoria's most remote and least known destinations, although there were attempts in the 1960s to establish Australia's first nuclear power plant on the island. Read More >>

Main Ridge

The history of this beautifully undulating rural community between Red Hill and Arthurs Seat is entwined with that of its neighbours. Read More >>

Merricks

This peaceful district centre is one of the Peninsula’s oldest farming areas, but now also enjoys fame as a wine growing centre. Read More >>

Moorooduc

The farming district of Moorooduc forms the rural heart of the Peninsula's northern plains, boasting one of the greatest concentration of thoroughbred estates in Australia, as well as a range of alternative farming ventures. Read More >>

Mt Eliza

As you climb Olivers Hill from Frankston on the Nepean Highway the coastal and bushland beauty of Mount Eliza becomes apparent. Read More >>

Pearcedale

The township of Pearcedale is right at the top of the Peninsula, and the first town to be encountered by visitors coming from Melbourne via the Monash Freeway. Read More >>

Portsea

The ‘end-of-the-road’ atmosphere sets the scene for Portsea’s million dollar holiday mansions , which were built by Melbourne’s rich and famous from the 1860’s but especially from the 1920’s. Read More >>

Rosebud

Rosebud is the traditional family holiday resort of the Peninsula. Friendly, affordable and centrally located, Rosebud welcomes many 1000s of holidaymakers every year. Read More >>

Safety Beach

Safety Beach, Mornington Peninsula Read More >>

Somers

Named after a popular former Governor of Victoria, the subdivision of Somers began in 1925. The present general store and post office was opened in 1927. Read More >>

Sorrento

In the late 19th Century George Coppins the “Father of Sorrento” recoginsed the great advantages and natural attractions of the Peninsula and introduced Melbournians to the delights of this glorious setting - still Victoria’s favourite seaside destination. Read More >>

Tuerong

Tuerong, Mornington Peninsula Read More >>

Balnarring

Balnarring's recent residential growth and retail development belies its history and the fact that it offers one of Western Port's attractive and largely unspoilt beaches. Read More >>

Blairgowrie

Wedged between Rye and Sorrento, Blairgowrie sports a small but quality shopping centre and a range of mainly holiday homes stretching from its charming bayside beach and yacht club to its `wildcoast' on Bass Strait. Read More >>

Crib Point

Crib Point would have remained a tiny Westernport farming village if not for the arrival of the railway in 1889 and the selection of Hanns Inlet in 1911 for the site of HMAS Cerberus, now the Royal Australian Navy's largest and major training facility. Read More >>

Fingal

Fingal, Mornington Peninsula. Read More >>

Frankston

Frankston enjoys the best of both worlds – the CBD is an hour away by train, while the recreational heart of the Peninsula is just 20 minutes down the road. Read More >>

Hastings

Hastings is the commercial capital of Western Port and the Peninsula’s major industrial centre. Read More >>

McCrae

McCrae, Mornington Peninsula. Read More >>

Merricks North

One of the Peninsula's most beautiful rural districts, famed for its thoroughbred horse and cattle studs and, more recently, a sprinkling of wineries. Read More >>

Mornington

Once a remote seaside village, these days Mornington is a fast growing residential area but still manages to retain a country atmosphere, which is best reflected in its pedestrian-friendly shopping centre, in Mornington Park and at the attractive boat harbour. Read More >>

Mt Martha

The tree-fringed beaches of Mount Martha make it one of the loveliest areas on the eastern Port Phillip shoreline. Read More >>

Point Leo

Backed by dunes of white sand, a large camping area and a fair sprinkling of modish holiday homes, Point Leo’s beaches provide both a relatively safe environment for surfers and more energetic swimmers, as well as for younger family enjoyment. Read More >>

Red Hill

The twin towns of Red Hill and Red Hill South blend together at the high points of the Peninsula to form the nucleus of the burgeoning wine growing area. Read More >>

Rye

Rye’s well maintained foreshore has long attracted family holiday makers and, more recently, windsurfers who revel in its long stretch of shallow water and strong offshore breezes. Bayside cycling tracks through the teatree are family favourites. Read More >>

Shoreham

Henry Tuck established the first farming run in the Shoreham-Flinders area during the 1840s, but the town of Shoreham did not begin until the 1870s. Read More >>

Somerville

This town on the gently undulating Moorooduc Plains was once the centre of Victoria's fruit growing industry, but has now assumed a distinctly residential atmosphere. Read More >>

Stony Point

This mangrove enveloped `outpost' is the end of the rail link from Melbourne and is the departure point for the French Island and Phillip Island Ferry Services. Read More >>

Tyabb

Once in the heart of the apple growing industry, Tyabb has been transformed during recent times into Victoria's antique Mecca. Read More >>