The 15 Best Mornington Peninsula Day Trips

1.Full-Day Penguins and Wildlife Nature Experience from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 150 reviews · from $114Our pick

Travel from central Melbourne to Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island in a group of up to 21. Feed kangaroos, see koalas and Tasmanian devils, visit Cape Woolamai and the Nobbies, then watch little penguins return from the sea. Guides such as Brooke, Ryan, and Stuart add local insight.

“The penguins were just delightful. However seeing a wombat at Moonlit Sanctuary and an echidna while driving along was special. Ryan was informative, cares about the environment and showed us why Philip Island is special.”

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2.The Explorer – Cranbourne Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 135 reviews · from $10Best value

Ride The Explorer, an open-air minibus, through the 15-hectare Australian Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. A driver-guide explains the plants, stories, and cultural meaning as you pass Red Sand Garden, Howson Hill, Ian Potter Lake, the Arid Garden, and Dry River Bed. The ride lasts about 25 minutes.

“Wonderful native botanical plants and garden, winding paths, water scapes lovely level walking paths. Little garden scenes . Bus ride and commentary Beas excellent. Great for all ages fitness and abilities Great cafe too”

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3.Peninsula Hot Springs Spa Experience and Express Transfer Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 131 reviews · from $129

Ride from central Melbourne to Peninsula Hot Springs with an official shuttle, priority Bath House entry, about three hours to soak and eat, plus Arthurs Seat and beach box photo stops. Drivers such as Cory and Jodie add light commentary, but this is mainly a transfer, not a full sightseeing tour.

“Bathing with Mother Duck and Baby Ducks... Soleful reflexology pool massage experience. Hot, soothing, and relaxing bath pools...”

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4.Mornington Peninsula Small Group Thermal Springs w/ Lunch & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · from $175

Spend eight hours exploring the Mornington Peninsula with a guide, starting with barista coffee in Melbourne. Walk to Arthur’s Seat, enjoy a local grazing lunch and wine paddle at Green Olive Estate, then relax for three hours at Peninsula Hot Springs before returning to Melbourne.

“This was an all day trip, 10am pick up and return to melbourne 6.50pm. Two centres being a olive and wine producer, where we had wine tasting and delicious food platter; and then the afternoon at Peninsula Hot Springs which was picturRead more”

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5.Peninsula Hot Springs and Beach Boxes Day Trip from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · from $135

Leave Melbourne at 9:00 a.m. for Peninsula Hot Springs, with entry and towel hire included. You’ll have about three hours for thermal pools, then stop at Murrays Lookout on Arthur’s Seat and the Mornington Peninsula beach boxes. Guides such as Matthew, Brooke, Ken, and Stewart have added local color along the drive.

“Kinda pricey for a short trip to peninsula, but overall the hotspring is to die for. It is recommended to go 1 night stay in the hotspring to enjoy and relax even more”

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6.Mornington Peninsula Wine Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $222

Spend about 10 hours exploring Mornington Peninsula wines with a guide such as Paul, Cam, Garth, Shane, or Tim. Visit four contrasting wineries, enjoy a main course and wine at Merricks General Store, stop at Arthurs Seat, and return to Melbourne by air-conditioned vehicle.

“The whole day was so great! I went to Yarra Valley for wine tasting the previous day, and Mornington is less commercialized and quieter. We went to 5 wineries, and there were only 3 visitors including myself - which makes it very exclusive. Our guide Cam is local, and very informative about wine. All 5 wineries were different and unique - I love them all. The lunch was also great! Definitely recommended!”

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7.Mornington Peninsula Sightseeing and Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 51 reviews · from $121

Spend about 9.5 hours exploring the Mornington Peninsula by air-conditioned vehicle and Searoad Ferry. Visit London Bridge, Sorrento, Arthurs Seat, beach bathing boxes, and a strawberry farm in season. Guides such as Brooke, Shane, Pete, and Kyle are known for friendly, lively commentary.

“Thank you Brook for the warm hospitality. It was a relaxing day out with my girlfriends, sight seeing for bath houses, London bridge and Arthurseat, round trip boat ride to Queenscliff with quite an extensive lunch (we spotted the dolphins!!) and end with beer tasting at St Andrew Beach Brewery. Love the variety of activities, get to explore the nature but not always in the car traveling. Love Mornington and definitely a chill day out.”

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8.Arthurs Seat Eagle: Scenic Gondola Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 44 reviews · 30 min · from $21

Take the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola from the base station to Victoria’s highest point on the Mornington Peninsula. Your 15-minute ride passes above Arthurs Seat State Park, with views toward Melbourne, the coast, Manna Gums, and kangaroos. Choose a one-way or return ticket, then visit Seawinds Gardens or The Eagle Café.

“The ride was ecstatic Other activities on the top of the hill, could have communicated, or we just missed it We had a great time there too”

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9.Mornington Peninsula Self-Guided Bike Tour | Food & Wine Region

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $0

Start at Seawinds Gardens with a quality bike, helmet, map, water bottle, and route briefing from Alison of Cycling Vine Tours. Ride mostly on cycle paths through Red Hill, stopping for wine, cider, produce, barbecue, and coastal views. The route suits independent cyclists with moderate fitness.

“We had a fantastic day out cycling as a family, it was a perfect activity and way to see some of Mornington Peninsula on a perfect weather day. We have very mixed cycling experience as a family and Allison planned out a great route for us thRead more”

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10.3 hour Dolphin and Seal Swim (NOV-APR)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 43 reviews · from $150

From Sorrento Pier, board Moonraker for a three-hour seal and dolphin swim from November to April. Your crew provides snorkel gear, safety guidance, onboard food and drinks, then takes you to Chinaman’s Hat and resident dolphin waters. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed, but a return visit is offered if you miss them.

“That was fantastic tour with excellent service! A lot if dolphins and seals played around in the water. Nice cake and drinks for breaks. Safe and professional!”

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11.Ultimate Mornington Peninsula Food and Wine Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $193

Join Epicurean Tours for an eight-hour Mornington Peninsula food and wine day with guides such as Bill and Nicci. Visit Quealy Winemakers, Pt. Leo Estate, and Stonier Wines, enjoy local tastings, and sit down to a two-course lunch at Merricks General Store.

“This was one of the best wine tours we have done (and we have done a lot!). The wine selections / vineyards were terrific and the additional experiences a welcome surprise. The lunch venue (Merricks) was fantastic. Thank you Epicurean.”

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12.Whisky Distillery Tour with Whisky Tasting & Cheese Platter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $63

At Chief’s Son Distillery in Somerville, an owner-distiller leads you from malt to maturation, with four single malts, new make spirit, cask-strength whisky, local cheese, and a 100ml bottle to take home.

“Passionate host. Great tasting of thier product range and the showings of thier making processes. Extensive knowledge about products and family history which was very entertaining. Unfortunately it was very expensive particularly as Viator was paid in US$ somehow. Why??? Thx.”

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13.Mornington Peninsula: Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 17 reviews · 9h 30m · from $119

Spend 9.5 hours with Explore Australia on a guided Mornington Peninsula tour from Melbourne. See London Bridge, stroll Millionaire’s Walk, ride the bay ferry with lunch, pick strawberries in season, and finish at Arthurs Seat and the bathing boxes.

“The tour guide and the trainees were great! Gary so super helpful and knowledgeable! He altered the itinerary because of the weather and made it even better. I would highly recommend this tour!”

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14.Mornington Peninsula Food and Wine Taste Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · from $135

Spend about 9.5 hours touring the Mornington Peninsula in an air-conditioned vehicle, with wine at Pt. Leo Estate, Rare Hare, and Montalto, beer at St Andrews Beach Brewery, lunch, Arthur’s Seat views, and coastal bathing boxes. Hotel pickup from some Melbourne CBD hotels is included.

“We were very fortunate that we only had a small group of 5 on our tour and we all got along very well. It was a great tour, which included a few vineyards, a few sightseeing opportunities and a brewery. It was a super fun day out!”

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15.Mornington Peninsula Food & Wine Taste Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 13 reviews · 8h 30m · from $133

Spend 510 minutes exploring the Mornington Peninsula with an English-speaking guide. Visit Point Leo Estate, Rare Hare, T’Gallant, St Andrews Beach Brewery, Arthurs Seat, and the famous beach boxes. Lunch, wine, beer, transport, and sculpture park entry are included.

“Our guide Gary was great! Friendly and knowledgeable, he set a comfortable pace and was considerate of everyone. The wineries, and brewery, and we enjoyed our lunch very much. The Pt. Leo Sculpture Garden is amazing - don’t dawdle over your tastings. The wineries were generous, providing extra tastings as we discussed different wines. It was a great day.”

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