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Mamma just LOVES the Peninsula. There is SO much to see and do. Here you will find the BEST of outdoor fun, places to eat, parks and playgrounds, indoor ideas and more!

Outdoor Adventures

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flinders blowhole, flinders

With black sand and cliffs, this is truly such an amazing spot.

quarantine station @ point nepean national park, portsea

With heritage buildings, most still in their original condition, the vast openness sprinkled with the most majestic old trees, and surrounded by the bay - it is pure tranquility.

fort nepean @ point nepean national park, portsea

Just wow. No words or pictures can fully explain the sheer beauty of this spot. It is simply stunning! The scenery in every direction and the rich Australian history you’re walking amongst, is pretty spectacular. Fort Nepean on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula is the site of the first shot of the British Empire in WWII preventing German vessel from escaping Port Phillip Bay back in 1914 - as well as the last know location of Prime Minster Harold Holt before he disappeared!

seawinds gardens, arthurs seat

If you’re looking for the perfect spot for a weekend picnic with INCREDIBLE views, you simply cannot go past the STUNNING Seawinds Gardens in Arthurs Seat.

baldry's circuit walking trail, main ridge

Here’s the perfect outdoor adventure for all ages, with absolutely stunning scenery surrounding you in every direction.

bridgewater bay, blairgowrie

Wow - this spot will take your breath away!

balnarring beach, balnarring

Here is a wonderful family friendly beach!
Calm water, views all the way out to The Nobbies and if you pick the tide timings right, rockpools to explore!

mothers beach, mornington

Mothers beach is named as such - as it’s the perfect beach for family fun!

devilbend natural features reserve, moorooduc

Here’s a great place to head out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine! Bring the bikes - and prams - and choose your adventure!

mushroom reef marine sanctuary, flinders

Mushroom Reef Sanctuary is the perfect spot to discover some fossils, collect pretty shells and just take in the sheer magnificence of the Mornington Peninsula.

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mama and me camp, mornington peninsula

Hand on heart, this experience is THE best thing this Mamma has EVER done with Master 12.

boneo discovery park, fingal

This place has all the magic ingredients for a perfect family day out!

ashcombe maze and lavender gardens, shoreham

Everywhere you look the view here is breathtaking, with a playground and an onsite cafe - it’s the perfect way to spend the day!

harry potter: a forbidden forest experience, mount martha

Experience the enchanted illuminated forest filled with all the wizardry wonder and muggle madness you'd expect from Harry Potter!

dinosaur world, somerville

Dinosaur fans UNITE! Every kid Mamma knows loves dinosaurs, so add this to your to do list ASAP if you haven't already.

enchanted adventure, arthurs seat

This is one jam-packed adventure garden! The fun just keeps on coming.

locked in escape rooms, mornington

Get ready for the perfect amount of adrenalin pumping, brain stimulating, challenging fun!

point nepean discovery tents @ quarantine station precinct, portsea

Going in a camping trip with the family is one of the great Aussie traditions. It gets us out and into the outdoors, allowing us to explore nature and spend time making great memories with family. You can do all of this in the stunning Point Nepean National Park at the historic Quarantine Station.

the funky farm, hastings

All Mamma can say is - wow! What an experience the wonderful Funky Farm is. Where else can you cuddle a wombat? Walk with emus? Wander amongst the wallabies and wonder at the prehistoric likeness of the saltwater crocodiles?

pure peninsula honey farm, moorooduc

The Peninsula Honey Farm offers kids a chance to watch bees work in a glass beehive; make their own bees wax candle and sample dozens of locally made honey!

rocky creek strawberry farm, main ridge

From November to April you can visit this beautiful strawberry farm and fill your punnet to the brim.

zayak sea sled @ reef board hire, mornington

Kids can check out what’s on the bottom of the ocean, without having to even get their faces wet!

dino sand sculpting @ boneo discovery park, fingal

Dino Sand Sculpting has arrived at Boneo Discovery Park this summer!

red hill trail co, arthurs seat

Looking for adventure? Well, get your motor running and experience the Red Hill Trail on an e-bike!

the big goose, moorooduc

You may think if you have seen one animal farm, then you have seen them all. Let mamma assure you, this is most definitely not the case.

hawkes farm, boneo

There’s nothing as good as eating a huge, ripe, juicy strawberry, freshly picked by your own hands! Except, of course, if you have travelled on a tractor ride to the strawberry patch, to pick that juicy strawberry, that is!

mornington heritage train railway, mornington

Step back in time and jump on board your booth carriage. Open up the windows and let the fresh peninsula air refresh your face as you watch the scenery zoom past.

searoad ferries - foot passenger, sorrento - queenscliff

Here's a great way to spend a day - sail across the bay! You may be lucky and have dolphins swim beside you!

panorama garden estate - wildlife sanctuary & secret gardens, boneo

This is truly an experience like no other. Where else will you find a family of Albino kangaroos hopping about?

rain hayne and shine animal farm, balnarring

This wonderful farm has so many adorable animals to feed and cuddle. But you simply cannot go past the piglets.

peninsula hot springs, fingal

Yep, that's right - it is possible to have a peaceful soak whilst in the company of your kids

the red hill peony estate, red hill

Take some time out to stop and smell the.. peonies!

moonlit sanctuary, pearcedale

This AMAZING wildlife sanctuary is somewhere you absolutely have to add to your must-do list! Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabys, Tasmanian Devils, Wombats......... and more!

arthurs seat eagle, arthurs seat

Come aboard for the most peaceful ride to the peak of Arthurs Seat.

Great Eats

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the heritage balnarring, balnarring

This place is pure heaven!
This restaurant/bar is set on a sprawling 2 acre property, including an absolutely stunning heritage home, complete with an open fireplace, HUGE beer garden and multiple dining areas.

nordie cafe, red hill

This cafe has an amazing view and THE MOST perfect space for kids to roam!

elwood sourdough, elwood

Next time you are in the seaside suburb of Elwood, simply follow the aroma of freshly baked bread and you’ll find the local favourite, Elwood Sourdough.

nyc bagels, rosebud

Here you can get rainbow AND choc chip bagels AND fill them with NUTELLA!

miss moose cafe, somerville

Mamma loves to discover a hidden treasure - and that is exactly what the gorgeous Miss Moose Cafe in Somerville is - a truly family friendly GEM!

devilbend farm beer brewery, tuerong

Devilbend Farm Beer Brewery is a great family friendly spot that place that the whole family will love!

rattling red cafe, tyabb

Mamma cannot believe that it’s taken this long to discover this adorable hidden gem!

bottega 188, mt eliza

Here’s the newest family and pet friendly restaurant to grace the Mornington Peninsula!

panda, blairgowrie

How could you not love a restaurant that has a cute little kids corner with cubby and kids corner, has impeccable service by the most friendly staff, stunning location, AMAZING food and is doggo friendly too?!

the pig and whistle tavern, main ridge

In the front courtyard area there are sprawling gardens bursting with colourful flowers, gigantic trees full of all sorts of birdlife, and a kids playground!

red gum bbq, red hill

Red Gum BBQ in the spectacularly stunning Red Hill, is the perfect family restaurant

wombat cafe, dromana

Located directly opposite a bushy reserve, offering views of beautiful trees and a sound track of kookaburras laughter, it’s the perfect accompaniment to fresh, colourful and delicious vegan food and smoothies.

penni ave distillery, rye

Did you know that there’s a VODKA DISTILLERY in the South? This Mamma did NOT, and WOW, this place is amazing!

sages cottage farm and cafe, baxter

A cafe - a playground - a lake AND animals? This will be your new favourite place!

merricks general wine store, merricks

Nestled underneath shady trees, just opposite the walking trail and across the road from views of the stunning Merricks Beach, lies Merricks General store.

alatonero, mccrae

Situated by the stunning McCrae foreshore, you could be forgiven for thinking you have stepped into an European oasis here at Alatonero!

boatshed cheese, dromana

Hidden away in an industrial street, you will find this little unassuming cheese factory that packs a huge punch!

schnapper point kiosk and bar, mornington

Right on the waterfront, with views of the city out in one direction, and red cliffs in the other - you will LOVE this spot!

slims hot pizza, mt eliza

Mamma’s loving everything about Mount Eliza’s coolest new local Slim’s Hot Pizza!

benton rise farm, tuerong

Wow - Mamma has stumbled across a gem here! Feed some farm animals, have a coffee AND grab fresh produce onboard a 1910 red rattler train carriage!

deoro by the bay, hastings

This may just be one of your new favourite spots to eat on the Peninsula!

jimmy rum distillery, dromana

It’s laid back, has an amazing vibe, uses fresh, locally produced products and the staff are friendly, attentive and extremely accommodating. Oh, and they make KILLER cocktails!

ocean beach pavilion, sorrento

Mamma’s pretty sure she has just discovered a little piece of heaven right here!

pelikan societe, hastings

If you like your meal with a view - you are going to LOVE this absolutely magical spot.

okay lucy gelato, mornington

Here you can choose from delicious hand-made gelato and fresh and fruity sorbet, with rotating daily flavours. And to put the cherry on top - you can have your scoop drizzled with nutella!

jetty road brewery, dromana

Looking for a cool spot to chill out with an ice-cold beer, to warm yourself over the open fire, and where the kids are welcome? You’ve found it!

portsea hotel, portsea

The Portsea Hotel has recently had a make over for some freshening up and Mamma must say, she is more beautiful than ever. Fresh and clean and bright, but still with a bayside feel. Book and dine inside (the glass doors open up for those sunny days) or try your luck in the beer garden and just turn up to get the more casual seating outdoors.

mornington peninsula chocolaterie & ice creamery, flinders

The aroma fills your lungs as soon as you step through the door. Chocolate; sweet, sweet chocolate!

beach kiosk, point leo

This great little cafe is THE place to be on a Summer’s Day!

cafe del sol, safety beach

Coffee lovers - this is a MUST SEE!

Great Playgrounds

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rosebud jetty foreshore playspace, rosebud

This little gem will become one of your favourite playgrounds, if it isn’t already!

mornington park playground, mornington

Here’s a great park, in prime location!
Perched on a hill overlooking the stunning Mornington Peninsula coast, and across the road from Main street - which is jam-packed with cafes, bars and shops!

mccrae foreshore lighthouse playground, mccrae

This is a great little playground which resides next to the majestic Mcrae lighthouse and on the foreshore of McCrae beach.

rye foreshore playground, rye

Rye Foreshore Playground is a total classic! A wooden treasure that your kids will want to visit again and again. It is a community treasure and its design is a nod to all things nautical.

dunns road reserve, mount martha

Mamma just loves this little farm themed playground!
With a large covered ‘banyard’, complete with picnic tables and a BBQ, it is the perfect place for a get together.

sorrento park, sorrento

Of course the people of Sorrento would build something so lovely, complete with breathtaking views.

Great Indoor Ideas

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top fun shack, rosebud

It’s hard not to have a TOP time here! There’s so much FUN to be had with Mini golf - Ten Pin Bowling and Arcade games!

kidd's days @ inflatable land, mornington

Designed solely for ages up to 4, there are heaps of little activities that are going to entertain and challenge them.

kidz shed playcentre, hastings

With a dedicated, fenced in toddler area; huge slides, air hockey table, drawing boards, ball pit, ride-on bikes - and SO much more, there is something for all ages! The perfect indoor play activity.