How to spend a day in Mornington Peninsula?

Timber boardwalk leading onto a sandy track through low coastal bush toward the sea at sunrise, with an orange glow on the horizon

Pick three stops and book the one that needs a reservation. A strong day mixes a coastal walk, a village stop and a long soak: walk Point Nepean or the Cape Schanck coast in the morning, stroll Sorrento's Millionaires Walk, and finish at Peninsula Hot Springs.

Start with a walk at Point Nepean

Point Nepean National Park charges no entry fee, according to Parks Victoria. A hop-on hop-off shuttle runs between the front entrance, the Quarantine Station and Fort Nepean, and the walk from the front gate to the fort is about 5.5 kilometres. Fort Nepean's tunnels, magazines and gun batteries are open to explore on foot, by bike or by shuttle. There is no drinking water on site, so carry your own.

Some features of Fort Nepean are under restoration, and a section of the Engine House Walk is closed for safety. Check Parks Victoria before you go. Shuttle fares and gate hours were not confirmed here.

Stroll Millionaires Walk in Sorrento

The walk begins at Lentell Avenue near Sorrento Park and ends at Sorrento Pier. It is about 1.6 kilometres and takes about an hour. It passes large properties, and private jetties are clearly marked as off-limits.

Look out from Cape Schanck

Cape Schanck Lighthouse has free viewing platforms for sightseeing and photography, and a boardwalk leads to Pulpit Rock. Guided lighthouse tours carry a fee. For a longer walk, the Bushrangers Bay Track runs 2.6 kilometres from the Cape Schanck car park down to a wild beach.

Taste in Red Hill

Red Hill is the Peninsula's cool-climate wine area, known for pinot noir. The Hill & Ridge Community Market at the Red Hill Recreation Reserve runs on the first Saturday of each month from September to May.

Finish with a soak

Peninsula Hot Springs is at 140 Springs Lane, Fingal, about 90 minutes from Melbourne by the venue's own account. The Bath House opens 7am to 11pm Monday to Friday and 5am to 11pm on weekends. Booking is strongly recommended, especially on weekends and in peak holiday periods. Same-day bookings carry a 10 per cent premium, and public holiday bookings a 10 per cent surcharge.

Sample day, no clock times

Walk Point Nepean or the Cape Schanck coast.
Walk Millionaires Walk and eat in Sorrento.
Taste wine or browse a market around Red Hill.
Soak at Peninsula Hot Springs.

Check drive times between your stops on a map app, because this guide did not verify them.

Questions people ask next

Can you do all four in one day?

Check the drive times first. Many visitors choose three stops and leave the fourth for another day.

Do you need a car?

Point Nepean has a shuttle inside the park, but the other stops are spread across the Peninsula. Check public transport options on the Public Transport Victoria planner.