Camping
There is a strong tradition of foreshore camping on the Mornington Peninsula, with hundreds of families making a yearly pilgrimage to while away their summer holidays a short walk from the beach. It can get hectic during peak periods, but if you go early or late, it can be a good budget option in an area that isn’t strong on economical accommodation. Consult the Mornington Peninsula Shire website for more information or to book a site.
Graceburn House
Brigitte Hafner and Patrick Ness have remodelled their Red Hill property to be one of Victoria’s most exciting dining destinations, as well as one its most stunning getaways. Ness’ day job as a leading architect and director of Cox Architecture can be seen on full display across the Graceburn property. While the 1940s white weatherboards have been spruced up from the outside, they have been sensitively transformed within. With a rich and eclectic aesthetic, and a colour palate reminiscent of an old master painting, the accommodation is sumptuous in all the right ways. Book out the three-bedroom house or take The Glasshouse, a fully self-contained retreat for two.
W: tedesca.com.au
Jackalope Hotel
Willow Creek has long been a well-known Mornington Peninsula vineyard, with the first vines committed to soil in 1989, but with its acquisition by the Li family, it was launched into glamorous stardom. Opening in 2017, Louis Li’s vision saw a hotel of extreme luxury and sleekly modern style added to the vineyard. Adjoining and contrasting the incumbent 1876 Edwardian brick house, the hotel is a striking prismatic affair of black steel and charred wood, with a seven-metre-high modernist sculpture of a Jackalope – the mythical part antelope part jackrabbit of native American folklore – dominating the entrance. The rooms range from the luxurious to the extremely luxurious, with the pinnacle rooms having a “deep-soak Japanese bath … double rain showers”, along with a fireplace the warms both inside and the 30 square metre terrace area, giving onto vineyard views, of course. Dine finely at Doot Doot Doot, a little more casually at Rare Hare, or have a cocktail or two at the surreal Flaggerdoot.
Lakeside Villas
One of Victoria’s most awarded boutique getaways, Lakeside Villas is the 4.5-star accommodation at Crittenden Estate. The three villas are clustered together at one end of the vineyard lake, but they are all self-contained in every sense, with no shared walls and each with its own deck out of view of the neighbouring villa. Inside, a full kitchen, laundry facilities and a spa complete the one-bedroom units. You’ll also just be a short stroll from one of the Peninsula’s best restaurants, Stillwater at Crittenden.
Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill
Situated on 14 hectares of landscaped gardens and vineyard at Red Hill, Lancemore is a 40-room hotel with a restaurant and cellar door, along with conference, event and wedding facilities. Recently transformed by an interior renovation by Hecker Guthrie, what was a somewhat dated pastel-hued facility is now a serenely luxurious hotel, with a modern Australian country feel. Lancemore is an ideal place to take advantage of the best of the Peninsula, while feeling like you’re world’s away. Choose from rooms with garden, vineyard, balcony or courtyard aspects. Oh, and the wines from the estate vineyard, as well as from their Macedon site, are made by gun winemaker Barnaby Flanders of Garagiste fame.
Polperro Villas
Polperro has most of your Peninsula needs covered, with their cellar door, restaurant, casual diner/bar, Many Little, and also a quartet of luxury villas. With elevated views across the vineyard, the studios all have a king-size bed, central spa, open fireplace and private deck. Opt for Premium Villa 4 to snare the private sauna.
P: (03) 5989 2471
Port Phillip Estate
The cellar door and restaurant at Port Phillip Estate have been much lauded, but the estate also has some of the Peninsula’s most stunning and serene luxury accommodation. All of the six suites have their own private terraces that give onto coastal and vineyard views, as well as sunken living areas with plush sofas. These suites were built for pure indulgent relaxation, and with Bill Henson works on the walls and Missoni bathrobes, it’s no surprise that they’re not a budget option.
P: (03) 5989 4444
RACV Cape Schanck Resort
The curved monolith that is the RACV Cape Schanck Resort is designed to maximise views while still maintaining privacy. And those views are pretty special, with the encircling championship golf course bleeding into the surrounding bushland, which in turn surrenders to the open ocean. Golf is a big drawcard here, but the resort is rich with other features, from the essential day spa, to the properly equipped gym, to wedding and conference facilities, to three dining options from the casual to the somewhat refined – including the acclaimed Cape. Rooms range from twin-share hotel-style accommodation (all rooms boast views) to the 100 square metre Peninsula Suites.
The Royal Hotel
One of the suburb of Mornington’s most popular pubs is also one of the best places to stay. Refurbished in 2013, the Royal has simple, yet charming, rooms with shared bathroom facilities along with deluxe suites and even a three-bedroom apartment with full kitchen and laundry facilities. Downstairs, there’s a familiar mix of pub dining, drinking and live music, with plenty of outdoor tables to take in the views across the bay.
