The Mornington Peninsula, located 90 minutes’ drive from Melbourne, is rich in offerings such as wineries (there are 50 cellar doors), local produce, eateries and 18-hole golf courses.

The area is well-suited for meetings, conferences, events or incentive groups or clients wanting a weekend getaway in Victoria.

Here’s a taste of what’s on offer:

George’s Boutique B & B Culinary Retreat

The boutique property in Arthur’s Seat has four rooms in total, all with balconies. The property runs wine and produce on tours and cooking schools, catered to clients’ choice of cuisine.

It is well suited for couples’ retreats or groups – and most groups staying there are couples, though it can cater for twin share.

Merrick’s General Wine Store

Merrick’s General Wine Store has a cellar door and restaurant. The restaurant’s dining room can seat up to 80 people and is one of the larger venues on the Peninsula catering for weddings or meetings. Entrées at the restaurant include lamb, crab and kingfish priced from $A16 and mains include confit duck, hunza pie (a brown rice-crusted vegetarian pie), roast chicken and eye fillet steak, with prices starting from $A26.

Woodman Estate

Woodman Estate, located one hour out of Melbourne, is a niche, luxury property and spa popular with incentive groups such as management and board groups. The luxury country house has a European feel. Accommodation on offer includes three over-water chalets, three spa suites and four deluxe rooms in the manor house.  

Peppers Moonah Links Resort

This resort boasts two 18-hole championship golf courses (it was home to the 2005 Australian Open Championship) and a driving range – making it a golfer’s paradise. It features 89 rooms, suites and lodges. The meeting facilities cater for up to 300 guests, with seven meeting spaces, three boardrooms and a permanent outdoor Marquee suited for gala dinners or award evenings. The resort also transfers clients by golf buggy to the neighbouring peninsula hot springs.

Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove

Montalto features the main restaurant, a private dining room, outdoor deck, piazza courtyard and a tasting room with light food available.

Clients can also opt for a private outdoor picnic among the trees, which have been a popular choice for wedding proposals. The piazza and garden café gives clients the chance to try a short seasonal menu with a glass of wine from the vineyard and no bookings are required. The vineyard also boasts an outdoor gallery with sculptures located throughout the 50-acre property.

Peninsula Hot Springs

This is Victoria’s first natural hot springs, using natural thermal mineral waters ideal for relaxation. The $A8.2 million expansion of the springs opened in December, featuring 39 new bathing experiences. These include private facilities, a thermal reflexology walk and a Turkish steam bath.

Accommodation is being planned as the next stage in development.

Treatments on offer use Aboriginal healing techniques, such as the Kodo massage – designed to enhance wellness. There’s a kiosk on site offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. The springs are open for bathing from 0730 to 2200 every day and for treatments from 0900 until 2100.  Public bathing prices start from $A25.

The Long Table

The Long Table restaurant, in Red Hill South, uses seasonal menus from local produce available. There’s a la carte dining, degustation dinners and cooking sessions available for groups. Visitors can also enjoy the wine bar which seats up to 30 and has courtyard tables in summer. The restaurant can cater for private functions for 20 to 100 guests. On Sundays, clients can BYO wine for no corkage. Offerings on the menu include oysters, fresh ocean trout, watermelon and cherry tomato salad, slow poached eggs, seared yellowfin tuna, slow cooked fillet of beef, cured duck and risotto of sweet corn and zucchini flowers. Entrees are priced from $A17 and mains from $A32.

-Chloe de Ridder travelled to the Mornington Peninsula as a media guest of the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau

Pictured (top): Dessert platter at Merrick's

and (bottom): wine tasting at Montalto