At the Bayside Beach House Mornington, we often get asked by guests “What should we do while we are in Mornington?” Our local guide for visitors includes some of our favourite experiences, from beaches to wineries, natural hot springs, local markets, coastal walks and local hidden gems.

Looking for the best things to do in Mornington VIC?

Mornington is one of the most popular destinations on the Mornington Peninsula Victoria, attracting visitors with is coastal village charm, food scene, boutique shopping, family friendly beaches, music festivals and events, stunning coastal walks and award winning wineries. Located approximately 1 hour south east of Melbourne, Mornington is the perfect destination for a weekend escape or family getaway.

Whether you are visiting for the weekend or taking longer to explore, below are some of the best things to do in Mornington VIC:

Mornington is best known for:

• Coastal village charm
• Victoria’s longest-running regional market
• Family friendly beaches and colourful beach boxes
• Stunning coastal walks
• Huge kid friendly park by the beach
• Wineries and cellar doors
• Mornington Pier
• Boutique shopping
• Award-winning cafes and restaurants
• Fresh local produce
• Day spas and natural hot springs
• Festivals and events

Explore the Coastal Village charm of Mornington

• Heritage buildings
• Boutique & artisan shops
• Cafes & restaurants
• Galleries
• Main Street Market

One of the best ways to explore Mornington is to wander through the village on foot. Located only 250m from the Bayside Beach House Mornington, it’s an easy stroll to Main Street, where you will find beautifully preserved heritage buildings, boutique shops, restaurants, cafes and galleries. Originally named Schnapper Point in the 1840s it was known as a fishing settlement until 1858 when it was transformed into a seaside resort town after the pier was built and later renamed Mornington in 1864. Some of the historical buildings include the Courthouse (1861), Police station lock up (gaol) (1862) and the Grand Hotel (1892).

Victoria’s longest-running regional market

1. Home-made, baked and grown
2. Local Produce
3. Artisan Goods
4. Handmade Crafts

The Main Street Market has been operating for over 40 years, making it Victoria’s longest-running regional market. The market is located on Main Street, only a 250m walk from the Bayside Beach House Mornington and operates every Wednesday from 9am to 3pm. The market features home-made, home-grown and home-baked goods, including local produce, artisan goods and handmade crafts.

In addition to the weekly Main Street Market, the Mornington Racecourse Market runs a hugely popular monthly market, which operates the second Sunday each month. There are hundreds of stalls holders, featuring handmade crafts, home-grown produce, and a variety of food trucks.

Family friendly beaches and colourful beach boxes

1. Swimming
2. Beach boxes
3. Kayak and boat hire
4. Mornington Pier
5. Fishing
6. Search for sea-life

Spend the day at Mothers Beach, which is known for its calm, clean, shallow water, nestled into a sheltered pocket of Port Philip Bay, making it safe for young children and protected from south-westerly winds. Mothers beach is located only 400m (approx. 5min walk) from the Bayside Beach House Mornington. Take a short walk through Mornington Park or take the scenic (and more accessible) route via Mornington Pier.

Explore the beach boxes, hire a boat or kayak, walk along the pier, go fishing and search for sea-life, including fish, star fish, rays and dolphins. Mothers beach also has family friendly facilities, including public toilets, outdoor showers and foot-washing stations. There is also an adjacent playground at Mornington Park, with electric BBQ facilities, shaded picnic tables and a large grass area.

Stunning coastal walks

1. Shire Hall Beach Coastal Trail
2. Balcombe Estuary Boardwalk Circuit
3. The Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk
4. Hidden Gem (Millionaires walk)

Shire Hall Beach Coastal Trail

The Shire Hall Beach coastal trail begins at the Shire Hall Beach car park. The Shire Hall Beach car park is located 1km (approx. 15min walk) from the Bayside Beach House, get there either by walking along the esplanade, or walk along the beach from Mothers Beach to Shire Hall beach before beginning the trail at the Shire Hall Beach car park. The trail passes the Tanti Estuary and follows Mills Beach. It finishes at the Beleura Cliff Lookout, offering amazing panoramic coastal views.

Balcombe Estuary Boardwalk Circuit

Located just south of Mornington in Mount Martha, this wheelchair-friendly, flat boardwalk weaves through swamp scrub and tea trees alongside the estuary. It features a playground, picnic areas, and great birdwatching. is located 6km (approx. 1 hour 20min walk) from the Bayside Beach House, get there either by walking along the esplanade or drive to Mount Marth and begin your walk from the Balcombe Estuary Boardwalk.

The Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk

If you are up for a challenge, try the Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk, 32 km in length, this epic track links Cape Schanck to Point Nepean National Park. It cuts across ocean cliffs, sand dunes, and wild surf beaches. It is best tackled over multiple segments and is located a 30min drive from the Bayside Beach House Mornington.

Hidden Gem (Millionaire’s walk)

The Millionaire’s Walk is a famous cliff-top walk, known for is stunning panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay as you walk through what appears to be the clifftop backyards and exclusive gardens of some of Australia’s most expensive mansions, when actually, you are walking along a public easement between Sorrento and Portsea. Although it is only a 1.5km return walk, you can extend it to a 4-6km walk by starting at Sorrento Pier and walking all the way to the Portsea village. The Millionaires walk begins at Lentell Avenue, through a secret wooden latch gate, which is located a 40min drive from the Bayside Beach House Mornington.

Huge kid friendly park by the beach

• Approx 2.5 acres
• Giant Wooden Pirate Ship
• Flying Fox
• Large lawn area
• BBQ facilities

Mornington Park Reserve is huge at approximate 10acres in size, with the playground and surrounding area around 2.5acres. Mornington Park has a huge flat lawn area, perfect for the family to run around, play ball games or practice yoga by the bay. It is also popular meeting spot for local events and festivals. Mornington Park also boasts a large wooden pirate ship, flying fox, fenced playground area and includes park benches shaded by historic cypress trees, electric BBQs and bathroom facilities. Mornington Park is located opposite the Bayside Beach House Mornington and is open 24/7.

Wineries and cellar doors

• Pt.Leo Estate
• Montalto
• Ten Minutes by Tractor
• Foxey’s Hangout
• Trofeo Estate

The Mornington Peninsula is known around the world for its cool-climate award-winning wines and with over 50 cellar doors to choose from, there is something for everyone. Go on a self-guided tour, join one of the local wine tour companies or come and experience the annual Vine Hop festival.

P.Leo Estate (Located in Merricks) and Montalto (Located in Red Hill South) are both known for their world-class restaurants and amazing dining experience and both display large outdoor art collections with art that looks over the bay (P.Leo Estate) or scattered among the vines (Montalto). Ten Minutes by Tractor offers fine dining with a prestigious Two Hat rating or casual seasonal share plates on the Terrace.

If you are looking for something more casual try Foxey’s Hangout (Located in Red Hill) with casual shared plates or enjoy live entertainment on the expansive lawns and wines that have been aged in handmade terracotta amphorae’s at Trofeo Estate (located in Dromana)

Mornington Pier

• Fishing
• Marine life
• Dining
• Boating & Charters

The Mornington Pier was originally built in the 1850s and at over 250 metres long, the pier offers the perfect spot for recreational fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling, viewing the diverse marine life and offers a safe berth for the yachts in the marina. Enjoy fish and chips on the pier or dine at the seafood restaurant overlooking the bay (The Rocks Mornington).

Boutique shopping

• Artisan Alley
• Local Galleries
• Boutique clothing & homewares
• Local hand poured candles

Mornington offers a variety of Boutique and Artisan shopping, including Artisan Alley, which displays and sells artwork, jewellery and homewares of over 30 local Mornington Peninsula artists. Wickety Wax, featuring hand-poured candles, melts, and bath bombs made on the Peninsula.

In addition, there are a number of galleries and boutique clothing and homewares stores to explore as you walk along Main Street.

Award-winning cafes and restaurants

• Winey Cow
• Wildgrain
• Bay Hotel
• Kirks on the Esplanade

With so many fantastic restaurants and cafes to choose from, here are a couple of our favourites. The Winey Cow, is an award-winning café, located on Main Street, the Winey Cow is known for its unique and innovative brunch options and long boozy brunches.

Wildgrain, located at Blamey Place, is renowned for its organic produce, which is grown on the Wildgrain farm and paired with other ingredients from local Mornington Peninsula producers to curate their seasonal menu.

The Bay Hotel, located on Main Street, offers casual dining and are known for winning the Parma of the Year by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Victorian State Awards for Excellence.

Kirks, located on the Esplanade, 50m from the Bayside Beach House Mornington, Kirks is an iconic waterfront pub, featuring floor to ceiling windows overlooking the bay.

Day spas and natural hot springs

• Auora Bathhouse
• Alba Thermal Springs
• Peninsula Hot Springs
• Pond Bathhouse

The Mornington Peninsula is well renowned for being a premier wellness destination, featuring its natural geothermal and mineral hot springs and bath houses, where you can soak in tranquil bushland, indulge in spa treatments and enjoy restorative wellness rituals.

Looking for the best beaches in Mornington? Here is the local guide and why you should visit.

1. Mothers Beach (my absolute favourite!)

Mothers Beach Mornington is a beautiful sandy beach scattered with bathing boxes. Calm beach, great for kids to go swimming and beach has bathroom facilities.  Only a short walk to the Mornington Pier, where you can grab some fish and chips or try your luck fishing. This beach is also located near Mornington Park and Main Street Mornington.

2. Royal Beach

Royal Beach Mornington is located directly opposite the Bayside Beach House Mornington and is surrounded by cliffs at each end so your dog can't run off and you don't have to worry about where the dog beach starts and where it ends. We love it for the off leash dog beach and the rock pools where you will often see starfish, sea urchins, small fish and other marine life and on a clear day you can see the city skyline from the beach.

3. Mills Beach (Patrolled by the surf life saving club)

Mills Beach Mornington is another beautify sandy beach that is also scattered with the famous Mornington Peninsula Beach Boxes. The water is calm and shallow, which is great for kids swimming and for paddle boarding. There is also a picnic area, where you can enjoy your lunch.

The Mornington Racecourse holds a number of exciting events throughout the year including music festivals and concerts such as:

The 2026 Castaway Festival, a major summer music festival is starting at 1:00 PM on 12th December 2026 headlined by Hilltop Hoods, Violent Soho, and Amy Shark. Spend the day in the sun with your mates and these Aussie icons!

The Red Hot Summer Tour - Australian Crawl 8th November 2026 features Men at Work, Birds of Tokyo, Vika & Linda, Eskimo Joe, Boom Crash Opera and Ella Cooper!

Artists such as Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, ZZ Top, George Thorogood and The Destroyers, and The Living End, having previously welcomed the likes of Jet, The Veronicas, Baby Animals and Spiderbait.

Horse racing events such as the Mornington Cup (18th April 2026)

The Briars is a Conservation Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, located at 450 Nepean Highway Mount Martha. In addition to the Wildlife Sanctuary there is also a National Trust-listed heritage homestead with gardens, picnic areas with free BBQs,  nursery and a Community Forest. 

In addition to the above, the Briars often hosts Markets, music performances, tours and school holiday programs and is well worth a visit!

Main Street Market

Victoria’s longest running street market, that has been running for over 40years! Short 5min stroll from the Bayside Beach House Mornington. Enjoy the local produce, baked goods and handmade crafts

Every Wednesday 9AM-3PM

Main Street, Mornington

For more information and to see some of the local stall holders, click here

Night Winter Soul Market

Enjoy live music, live fire show, over 60 stalls, outdoor food trucks, indoor food and drinks hall & makers-market stall holders (jewellery, fashion, homewares and pantry items).

10th July 2026 5PM-9PM

14th August 2026 5PM-9PM

Peninsula Community Theatre located at 91 Wilsons Road, Mornington, 3931

For more information click here

Racecourse Market

Makers market (hand made, home made or home grown).

9AM-2PM Open 2nd Sunday of the month (all year)

320 Racecourse Rd, Mornington

For more information and market updates, click here

If you are looking for additional ideas for things to do or places to visit on the Mornington Peninsula, check out the sites below for additional ideas and local events.

Visit Mornington Peninsula

Visit Victoria (Mornington Peninsula)

Go Beyond Melbourne (Mornington Peninsula)

Drive Victoria (Mornington Peninsula)