3 stunning towns to visit on the Mornington Peninsula

One of the most charming aspects of taking a well-earned holiday is the free time that you have to simply explore a new area. Whether you're getting to know the locals, sampling the regional cuisine or taking a leisurely stroll through unfamiliar scenery, visiting different towns and villages is a great way to dive into a destination.

Taking a day trip or two to a few different places is perhaps even better in a coastal region like the Mornington Peninsula, which contains more than 10 per cent of Victoria's shoreline. This means that there is a wealth of coastal towns to visit, all with gorgeous white sand beaches, great food and amazing scenery. 

It's hard to pick as there are over 30 villages to choose from, but here are three of our favourite places to explore while staying on the Mornington Peninsula. 

1. Flinders

Founded in 1854, Flinders is amongst the oldest and most historic towns in the region, and boasts an array of heritage buildings as well as monuments dedicated to the early explorers George Bass and Matthew Flinders. Perhaps you're after a stunning view, in which case head down to the beach where a 250-metre-long pier extending out into the Western Port provides sea views and a great place for a spot of fishing, 

There's plenty to do in the town itself, but the real treasure of the area is nearby Cape Schanck. Believed to posses some of the cleanest air in the world by virtue of the wind coming north from the Antarctic, Cape Schanck can be explored by a variety of different walking tracks that wind their way along the coast and through the bush.

2. Rye

Rye is a bustling holiday town, with a range of local eateries where you can experience the famous regional cuisine of the Mornington Peninsula. The town is well-known for its beach, which is considered to be among the best in the area for families. There are plenty of jetties, too, and with Rye's prime location facing out into Port Phillip, the beach makes a great place from which to sail, paddle or kayak into the bay.

There's more beneath the surface, though, with the so-called 'Octopus's Garden' marine trail extending for 800 metres on the sea floor. With underwater signs pointing out different varieties of aquatic flora and fauna, snorkelling this trail is a wonderful way to learn a bit about the area. 

3. Mount Martha

On the other hand, you might be after a bit of peace and quiet, or perhaps a romantic picnic where you and your significant other can have some space to yourselves, Mount Martha is the place for you. Smaller and less busy than most of the other towns in the area, Mount Martha is located just south of Mornington where the coastline and the bush connect. Don't let the size fool you, though, there's plenty to see, do and eat in Mount Martha.

For keen naturalists, there are several parks in the area that rank among the Peninsula's best. Highlights include the boardwalk that extends through the Balcombe Creek Wetlands, or the Mount Martha Park, which covers an area of more than 50 hectares. If you're feeling up to the challenge, ascend the 160-metre peak and sit down to a picnic with an incredible backdrops. 

These are just a few of the many different villages and towns to explore while staying on the Mornington Peninsula. There is so much to do in the region, so make sure to book a long stay to see as much as you possibly can.

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