Holiday houses in Red Hill

Sandwiched between the coastal towns of Dromana and Balnarring, Red Hill is a small inland town on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Close to the city of Melbourne, this is a green oasis featuring rolling hills and woods, with bountiful orchards, fruit farms, and olive groves dotting the countryside. There are also several award-winning vineyards here, so be sure to pop into one of the local wineries to taste the different vintages and admire their manicured gardens. Many walking trails crisscross the region, including the Red Hill Rail Trail, where you can follow the route of the old railway line that was once used to transport fresh apples destined for the markets of Melbourne.

Artists have been attracted to the area for many years, and there are a host of galleries in the town to visit, including the Red Hill Gallery. A day by the sea is always an attractive option, and Red Hill is within easy reach of the many golden sandy beaches along the coastline of the Mornington Peninsula.

The warmest and driest months of the year in Red Hill are between November and March, when temperatures are warm. This is also when you will find most visitors head to the area, taking advantage of the exquisite beaches on the Mornington Peninsula. The region is quieter in February and March when children have returned to school, but the weather is still warm. Conditions are cooler and wetter during the autumn and winter months, with temperatures dropping somewhat. This is still a great time for walking and biking along the various trails in the Red Hill area.

The town holds different events throughout the year, including the Red Hill Show for agriculture in March or April, the Art Red Hill show in April or May, and the Winter Wine Festival in June at the Red Hill Showground. Another popular time to visit the area is in the first two weeks of January for the Peninsula Music Festival.

The local art scene

Red Hill is more than the juicy strawberries and award-winning wines that this region produces. Tour the numerous galleries in the area, which showcase glasswork, jewellery, watercolours, and avant-garde sculpture. There’s even a renovated apple shed housing painted silks and vine baskets.

Enchanted Adventure Garden

If you’re looking for a different way to explore nature, try the family-friendly Enchanted Adventure Garden in the neighbouring town of Arthur’s Seat. The 22-acre park hosts mazes, canopy walks among the treetops, a sculpture walk, and a tube slide.

Endeavour Fern Gully

Follow the two-kilometre trail through the 27 hectares of rainforest at Endeavour Fern Gully in the heart of Red Hill. The boardwalk and walking tracks take you through the gum trees and ferns growing in the basaltic soil, providing a habitat for a rich variety of flora and fauna on the Mornington Peninsula. Listen out for the sounds of birds such as yellow-tailed black cockatoos and crimson rosellas, while exploring indigenous vegetation, including the silk pod and austral mulberry.