Holiday houses in Balnarring

Balnarring is a small village that’s slightly inland on the Western Port side of the Mornington Peninsula, which is often quieter than the Port Phillip Bay side. The township has a small stretch of coast near Balnarring Beach, also known as Tulum Beach, which lies at the mouth of a shallow creek and offers a narrow peninsula of land with several walking paths and footbridges to explore. Looking south to Phillip Island, you can take in beautiful views from the beach. Foodies will love the weekly markets selling locally grown produce, food, and crafts, while the wineries welcome visitors to Balnarring’s more rural inland areas. The Balbirooroo Community Wetlands bordering the town include a lagoon and gentle walking trails that provide an excellent spot for birdwatching and taking in the abundant greenery.

Mornington has an oceanic climate with warm and occasionally hot summers and mild winters where temperatures below freezing are rare. Fall and summer can be the best times to visit when temperatures are warm, but with a breeze. During November, the annual Peninsula VineHop Festival celebrates the wine, spirits, craft beer, and cider produced on the Mornington Peninsula. With mild temperatures, winter is also a pleasant time to stay in a holiday rental on the Mornington Peninsula. The Summer Carnival held on Boxing Day on the Rye foreshore is fun for all ages. In June, the Mornington Winter Music Festival features four days of a diverse mix of jazz, blues, swing, traditional, progressive, and classical music.

Point Nepean National Park

You can drive up the coast for 45 minutes to reach Point Nepean National Park and then walk or cycle the rugged coastal landscape with expansive ocean and bay views. You can also explore the military forts and tunnels and learn about the people who passed through the Quarantine Station. Fascinating artefacts dating back over 150 years provide additional glimpses of history.

Cowes

The ferry from nearby Stony Point will take you to Cowes on Phillip Island. From there, you can explore the township of Cowes, starting with the Phillip Island Historical Museum, where you’ll find exhibitions on geology, maritime history, and the life of the early settlers. You can then enjoy an afternoon at the beach and some seaside dining before making the scenic ferry ride back to the Mornington Peninsula.

Coolart Wetlands and Homestead

This 19th-century estate has been open to the public since it was sold to the Victorian State Government by the Luxton family in 1977. The estate consists of a beautiful Victorian mansion, The Minsmere Hide for viewing birds, and an observatory for talks and presentations.