150 Best Things to Do on the Mornington Peninsula With Kids
The Mornington Peninsula, which is just 90 minutes from Melbourne, is one of the most popular destinations for families with year round activities, lovely beaches and water activities, lots of accommodation options, family-friendly attractions and great places to have a meal and drink. Whether it's a day trip or a longer stay, there are plenty of things for the whole family to enjoy on the Mornington Peninsula.
Our guide covers the northern part of the Peninsula managed by Frankston council and the lower part of the Peninsula managed by the Mornington Peninsula council. Click on the links for more information about each activity.
Map of Family Friendly Activities
Mornington Peninsula Major Attractions
The Enchanted Maze Garden at Arthurs Seat is top of our highlight list and is well, amazing. There are permanent mazes (hedge maze, turf maze, children's maze, Blue Gum gallery maze), tube slides, Tree Surfing with obstacle course high up in the trees interspersed with zip-lines, brain teaser challenges and sculpture park. You can easy spend a whole day here and prepare to come back for a return visit since activities are always being added.
Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens in Shoreham features Australia 's oldest and most famous traditional hedge maze, a circular rose maze and lavender labyrinth. You can also wander through the garden displays on the self-guided Garden Discovery Trail. The Ashcombe Gnome Hunt is fun for all ages.
Boneo Maze and Mini Golf in Fingal has a range of mazes, giant games, lovely carousel, 18 hole minigolf course and wetlands area with boardwalk. Inflatables and water slides are added during the holiday season.
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park in Pearcedale is a wonderful experience where visitors meet endangered native nocturnal animals rarely seen in the wild. Guides escort each tour with an informative and entertaining commentary. Your chance to meet animals such as quolls, bettongs, pademelons, gliders and owls up close and personal. If you have ever longed to have a python wrapped around you neck, then book a night tour without delay.
The Big Goose Adventure Park and Animal Farm in Moorooduc combines farm animals with an adventure park. Attractions include a petting barn, tyre maze, jumping pillow, pony rides, tractor rides, mini golf and adventure playground.
Arthurs Seat Eagle in Arthurs Seat is a state-of-the-art gondola which flies over the state forest to the highest point of the Mornington Peninsula. Enjoy scenic views above the Mornington Peninsula, across Port Phillip Bay and towards Melbourne.
Rain, Hayne & Shine Farmyard in Balnarring provides 'hands on' experiences with a large variety of friendly farm animals to feed and cuddle. There are also pony rides, indoor and outdoor picnic areas, gas barbeques and a small playground.
Funky Farm in Hastings is a specialised facility for special needs adults and children to come and interact with all kinds of Australian native animals. Anyone is welcome and you are given the opportunity to come up close and personal with the animals.
Mornington Tourist Railway is a heritage and tourist railway which operates regular public running days between Moorooduc and Mornington using steam and diesel heritage locomotives and heritage passenger cars. The return trip is only about 45 minutes with stops at Tanti which is a perfect little trip for kids.
Dinosaur World in Somerville has a large number of dinosaurs on display and many of them are animatronic with movements and sounds.
Peninsula Hot Springs provides a social thermal bathing experience for families. The Bath House provides over twenty bathing experiences including a cave pool, reflexology walk, Turkish steam bath, sauna, cold plunge pools, family bathing area, massaging thermal mineral showers and hilltop pool offering stunning 360 degree views of the region. Bookings are recommended during the holiday period since there is a limit on the number of visitors. Visit Peninsula Hot springs with a morning express shuttle or twilight express shuttle.
Mornington Peninsula Beaches
There are a string of lovely beaches along Port Phillip Bay all the way down the peninsula to Portsea. Many peninsula beaches are patrolled during peak holiday times. The best beaches for families include:
Frankston Beach has stretches of clear, shallow water and soft sand provide a safe swimming beach for all ages. The beach is patrolled by the Frankston Life Saving Club and there are interesting foreshore reserves with a nice adventure playground.
Rye Beach has a safe sandy beach with fairly shallow water with a jetty. On the foreshore there is a fenced Rye's Up! Community Playground with picnic facilities.
Dromana Beach is a long popular family beach with a foreshore reserve with numerous facilities such as a playground, pier, picnic facilities and close to the Dromana Shopping area where there are plenty of shops and food places.
Mills Beach is a popular family beach just off the Esplanade in Mornington which is patrolled by the Mornington Life Saving Club and has a grassy picnic area and a kiosk where you can buy drinks and ice-creams. Swimming is safest in front of the lifesaving club where the bar is usually shallowest. The beach is fringed by around 70 colourful beach boxes.
Mornington has a number of safe swimming beaches located around the harbour and nearby areas including which is Scout Beach, Shire Hall Beach and Mothers Beach. The area has boating facilities, pier, Main Street shops, foreshore reserves, picnic facilities and a playground around Schnapper Point.
Mornington Peninsula Water Activities
Hire a boat, jetski, kayak, canoe or SUP and enjoy the best of what the Mornington peninsula has to offer.
Moonraker Dolphin Swims depart from Sorrento Pier with the chance to encounter wild Bottle Nose Dolphins, Australian Fur Seals and other marine creatures.
Frolic with playful fur seals and visit seabird nesting sites with Polperro Dolphin Swims which depart from Sorrento. Children are welcome on board and the crew ensure that these trips educate and entertain them.
Book a trip with Bayplay based in Portsea and look for a rare Weedy Sea Dragon on a snorkelling tour, paddle a kayak along the Point Nepean National Park or take a boat trip to see the dolphins and seals.
Learn to surf with East Coast Surf School which is based at Point Leo, Salty Surf School at Shoreham
Exploring rock pools are a fun way to experience the area. Can you find a limpet, crab or starfish? The best rockpools and beachcombing areas on the Mornington Peninsula are London Bridge, Portsea Ocean Beach, Sorrento Ocean Beach, Flinders Ocean Beach and Mushroom Reef near Flinders.
An ideal place to experience family snorkelling is the Octopus' Garden which is a 200m long underwater trail that leads along under Rye Pier with underwater information signs. Lookout for seahorses, sponge gardens, sea slugs, hermit crabs and goat fish. If you are very lucky you might even see a weedy sea dragon.
Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) in Frankston has indoor pools, two huge water slides and an aquatic playground.
Pines Forest Swimming Centre in Frankston North has an outdoor pool, toddlers pool and giant waterslide.
Pelican Park Recreation Centre in Hastings has some indoor pools.
Crib Point Pool has some outdoor pools which are open during the summer season.
Take a scenic ride on Searoad Ferries between Sorrento and Queenscliff. Foot passengers, bikes and cars can travel across Port Phillip Bay to the Bellarine Peninsula with regular departures.
There is great fishing in the bay and a fishing charters have the knowledge, equipment and expertise to provide an enjoyable fishing trip for both the novice and serious fisherperson. The Mornington Peninsula bay area is serviced by Bay Fish N Trips and Relax, Go Fishing! in Mornington, Proline Fishing Charters, Rip Charters, Joe Farr Fishing Charters and Gamerec Fishing Charters in Sorrento, Jillian Fishing Trips in Rosebud and Timeout Fishing Charters in Rye. Westernport Bay is serviced by Westernport Fishing Charters and Ace Fishing Charters in Hastings.
Learn to SCUBA dive with Diveline in Frankston (14 years of age or older)
Mornington Peninsula Gardens
Heronswood Gardens in Dromana feature five separate vegetable gardens and large plantings of flowers with views out over Port Phillip Bay, and can be enjoyed at any time of year. As well as a nursery, there is also a restaurant that uses fresh organic heirloom vegetables and fruit from their own gardens.
George Pentland Botanic Gardens in Frankston has lovely gardens, ornamental lake, playground for young children, picnic and barbecue facilities throughout the gardens, walking tracks and plant collections.
Red Hill Lavender Farm & Distillery in Main Ridge celebrates all things lavender.
Mornington Peninsula Art
McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park in Langwarrin is set in 16 hectares of bush and landscaped gardens and is a wonderful fusion of sculptures and outdoor spaces.
Frankston has strong claims on being the best location for street art in Melbourne outside the CBD. It has an annual street art festival and there are currently more than 50 murals in the central part of Frankston created by the best Australian and international street artists.
As well as murals Frankston has a very vibrant and strong Street and Public Art program with many thought provoking sculptures.
Point Leo Estate Sculpture Park in Merricks has an ever-evolving array of Australian and international sculptures.
Sculpture Walk at Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove in Red Hill South has a permanent collection of sculpture on the estate, with 25 pieces available for viewing all year round. You can also enjoy lunch in the restaurant or Piazza Cafe.
Frankston Coastal Arts Discovery Trail consists of several sites along the foreshore from Olivers Hill to Seaford.
Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery in Mornington is the region's major public art gallery with free admission and has special resources available to children visiting the gallery to compliment their experience.
Mornington Peninsula council area has a wide range of Street and Public Art
Mornington Peninsula Wildlife
Coolart Wetlands & Homestead which has a lagoon where thousands of Australian white ibis nest every year. After admiring the magnificent late Victorian mansion take a woodland walk and look for koalas in the trees.
The Briars Park is a National Trust property in Mount Martha with a wildlife sanctuary, heritage homestead, visitor's centre, wetlands, gardens, restaurant, picnic areas and Eco-Living Display Centre. You can follow some trails and look for waterbirds. You might also see an Eastern Grey Kangaroo or koala on the 4km Kur-Bur-Rer walk.
Mornington Peninsula Indoor Attractions
If the weather takes a turn for the worse, there are plenty of indoor attractions for the family to enjoy.
Sk8House in Carrum Downs is a family friendly roller blading and roller skating venue.
Strike Bowling Bayside in Frankston has 10 state-of-the-art bowling lanes and laser tag.
Excape in Frankston offers an escape room experience (minimum age of 14)
Holey Moley Bayside in Frankston is the craziest and most unique mini golf venue, par none. Note that minors or under 18's are not permitted in the venue after 8pm.
Zone Bowling Centre in Frankston has 28 bowling lanes.
Gravity Zone in Seaford is a Trampoline Centre with multiple exciting zones.
There are a number of cinemas on the Peninsula including Hoyts Cinema and Village Cinemas Karingal in Frankston, Peninsula Cinemas in Rosebud and Peninsula Cinemas in Sorrento.
Take a step back in time and catch a movie at the Dromana Drive-In. During the holidays there are early sessions for the kids and a cafe which is modelled on an authentic 50's style American Diner. Disney and Warner Brothers figurines and movie memorabilia line the walls of the cafe.
Lollipops Playland and Cafe in Carrum Downs has themed play areas with special play areas for preschoolers and school-aged children plus a dedicated area for toddlers.
Funtopia in Carrum Downs has an indoor rock climbing arena, large adventure playground, electric car track and interactive imagination rooms.
General Public Melbourne in Frankston brings together entertainment in the form of of ten pin bowling, arcade games, Shufl boards and pool tables.
Kidz Shed Indoor Play Centre & Cafe in Hastings is an affordable play centre with various play areas for all ages.
Inflatable Land in Mornington has a huge array of inflatables.
Top Fun Shack has 36 holes game of Mini Golf, with 18 holes outside and 18 holes undercover (for the rainy days), 4 full size lanes of ten pin bowling and arcade and gaming room.
Big Swing Golf in Frankston is a very realistic indoor golf simulator centre.
X-Golf in Mornington provide players access to the world's best digital courses, driving range, practice mode and fun modes for like putt putt or mini golf style games.
Bayside Rock Indoor Climbing in Carrum Downs is a large centre with auto-belay and top rope stations plus a caving system.
Mornington Peninsula Food Experiences
Pick yummy strawberries to take home at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm in Main Ridge between November and April. The cafe serves heavenly berry delights and delicious ice cream.
Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm in Main Ridge has U-pick strawberries, blueberries, cherries and thornless blackberries.
Green Olive at Red Hill in Main Ridge is a whole farm experience with a farm tapas and wine menu is available everyday. The Kids Farm Tour gives children the opportunity to meet farm animals, tour the farm, and learn about where food comes from, all while spending time outside in the fresh air and sunshine.
Main Ridge Dairy in Main Ridge is the only commercial dairy operating on the Peninsula. It provides a genuine paddock to plate experience for visitors with the cheesery offering tastings, cheese platters and cheese sales. August is when the goats kid! This is a lovely time for families to do a milking tour and meet the 100 or so kids!
Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery in Flinders has hundreds of sweet temptations for you to discover including hand-crafted chocolates, traditional milkshakes created with house-made gelato and an array of specialty couverture hot chocolate. Also hosted tasting sessions.
Pure Peninsula Honey has a farm shop which provides a range of activities including free tastings of 100% pure Australian honey, seeing live bees at work, browsing the bee themed gift shop, sampling cosmetics made from manuka honey and walking through a mock apiary.
The Bramble Farm in Langwarrin has brambleberries and raspberries to pick.
At Bakers Fresh Vegies you can pick your won farm fresh vegetables.
At Ellisfield Farm in Red Hill you can buy berries at the Farm Gate Shop when seasonally available and meet the farm animals.
Ripe 'N Ready Cherry Farm in Red Hill has pick your own cherries during the season which runs from early November to mid-January.
Cripps Family Fish Farm in Baxter has four ponds which are stocked with species depending on the season.
Mornington Peninsula Nature & Walks
Arthurs Seat State Park at Arthurs Seat has great views and walks including Arthurs Seat Summit Circuit Walk, a 2.0km circuit to major interest points including the Seawinds Gardens, Matthew Flinders Cairn, William Ricketts sculptures, lookouts and the Seawinds Nursery Volunteers Indigenous Garden. The Kings Falls Circuit Walk, a 1km return, goes through a casuarina forest and into damp fern-lined gullies before reaching Kings Falls. OT Dam Circuit Walk, 3km, offers views of OT Dam which was originally constructed by a cordial company.
Warringine Park in Bittern is divided into three sections: a coastal wetland, a creekland and woodland; all with their own special values.
The Mornington Peninsula National Park which covers a narrow strip of coast between Cape Schanck and Portsea and Greens Bush bushland has natural scenery, historic features, swimming, walking and picnics. Explore the Blowhole, London Bridge, Cape Schanck lighthouse.
Millionaires Walk in Sorrento is a 1.5km return walk which has lovely bay views and a glimpse into the backyards of the clifftop mansions.
Take the 6km return Bushrangers Bay Nature Walk starting at Cape Schanck which follows Bushrangers Track along the cliff next to the ocean to Bushrangers Bay. You can also visit the Cape Schanck Lighthouse which is located close to the car park.
Sweetwater Creek Nature Reserve in Frankston South remains a unique ribbon of forest, heath, swamp and grassland interlocked by walking trails and resting places. The main track takes walkers beside rock pools, across bridges through an enclosure of native shrubbery and eventually onto a boardwalk, through a corridor of melaleuca and swampland.
Naturaliste Tours has small guided tours, led by experienced guides of French Island.
French Island National Park is a mystery to many people due to its isolated location in Western Port. As a result, the park features some fantastically underrated opportunities for walking and cycling among a diverse landscape of mangroves, saltmarsh, heaths and open woodlands. Get there using Westernport Ferries.
Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve in Langwarrin is a 214-hectare relatively undisturbed natural bushland with a a network of tracks.
Mount Eliza Regional Park and Moorooduc Quarry Flora And Fauna Reserve in Mount Eliza preserves a natural section of the six kilometre Mount Eliza escarpment which has a lake and long staircase to get the thighs burning on the ascent.
Balcombe Estuary Reserve in Mount Martha covers 44 hectares of natural bushland along the creek's lower reaches. The Balcombe Estuary Circuit Walk is an easy 6.1km circuit walk which follows the Balcombe Creek along a wooden boardwalk and passes two dog off leash areas, two playgrounds, a sandy beach and the Mount Martha shops with plenty of cafes.
The Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk along the southern side of the Mornington Peninsula offers spectacular scenery stretching 30 kilometres between Cape Schanck and the Point Nepean National Park. The Coastal Walk encompasses many smaller sections of ocean beach walking trails, some along gravel tracks and parts along the sandy beaches. It changes from rugged rocky ocean coast at Cape Schanck to dense coastal vegetation along the way and finally to the famous sandy surf beaches through Rye and Sorrento. There are several sections that can be completed separately as shorter walks if desired.
Two Bays Walking Trail stretches 26km between Dromana and Cape Schanck through a diverse range of Mornington Peninsula landscape. The whole walk can be completed in a day for walking enthusiasts, or split up into multiple smaller walks for those who want to enjoy it in smaller sections.
Point Nepean National Park in Portsea is a mix of beautiful landscape and rich history situated at the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula. There is a range of informative and scenic walks visitors can explore, and an array of historic buildings that served various purposes during the early history of the Mornington Peninsula. Point Nepean also offers some of the best views on the Mornington Peninsula across to Queenscliff and out the Port Phillip Bay Heads.
The 30km long Mornington Peninsula Bay Trail is one of the most scenic shared trails on the Peninsula, winding along the foreshore, taking you in and out of the townships, stretching from Safety Beach to Portsea.
Western Port Bay Trail is a 26km long shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians which follows the coastline of Western Port Bay between Somerville and Balnarring passing through the towns of Tyabb, Hastings, Bittern and Somers.
Mornington Peninsula Playgrounds
The region has a number of lovely playgrounds. The best playgrounds are:
Frankston Regional Foreshore Playground has a wide range of equipment. There are tunnels and slides plus shaded sand pits to make your own sandcastles. The playground includes separate toddler, junior and senior level play equipment with tables and BBQs.
Sorrento Historic Park has a large wooden fort style adventure playground with lots of towers, slides, tunnels and sandpits. The park is beautifully maintained with shaded and unshaded tables, BBQs, shelters, water tap and toilets. Paths lead down the cliff to the sea walls where you can often see sting rays.
Ballam Park Reserve in Frankston has two great playgrounds close together with a skating / BMX area, huge long climbing wall, lots of parkour equipment, multi-use court and picnic facilities.
Rosebud Foreshore Playground commands the foreshore of Rosebud Beach with a series of mounds with slides, swings, climbing frames, flying fox and other play opportunities.
Mornington Peninsula Recreation Facilities
Have a hit of tennis at public free-to-use tennis courts at R.W. Stone Reserve, Somers, Stringer Road Reserve, Blairgowrie and Portsea Recreation Reserve, Portsea
Gunnamatta Trail Rides in Fingal offers a morning and afternoon 3 hour program and an all-day program. Programs are suitable for ages 6 to 16 years and no experience is necessary. Kids often develop their love of horses from the program.
If Fido has come with you, find a dog friendly beach or a dog off-leash area in the Mornington Peninsula council area or Frankston council area. Sandfield Reserve in Carrum Downs and John Butler Reserve in Mount Eliza have a fenced dog park. Note that some beaches have access restrictions during the Daylight Savings period.
Mornington Peninsula Historical Attractions
Charlie's Auto Museum in Arthurs Seat displays over 80 motor vehicles, motorcycles and model cars housed in a 1940's style garage and showroom.
Cape Schanck Lighthouse & Museum in Cape Schanck is open to the public every day for tours.
Mulberry Hill in Langwarrin South is a historical house and estate which is the former home of artist Sir Daryl and Joan Lindsay, author of Picnic at Hanging Rock.
McCrae Homestead in McCrae is one of Victoria's oldest homesteads and is a physical reminder of the early pioneering life.
Mornington Main Street Heritage Walk takes you on a walk of sites of historical interest as shown by the plaques placed on significant buildings.
Sorrento Heritage Walk takes you through the township to enjoy the historical features of Sorrento through its heritage buildings.
Mornington Peninsula BMX & Skate Parks
Mornington Peninsula has a number of excellent BMX & Skate parks. The best are:
Arthurs Seat Mountain Bike Trails in Arthurs Seat/Dromana has 14 trails in the Arthurs Seat State Park.
Frankston Skatepark features a street plaza-style course along with a combo bowl and kidney bowl. YMCA staff are based at the park most days during peak times, including after school, public holidays, weekends and school holidays.
Seaford BMX Racing Track is a very big track with lots of different height undulations and jumps.
Langwarrin BMX Dirt Jumps and Pump Track has an oval shaped gravel pump track and a big dirt jumps track with a variety of jumps, rollers and berms to suit a range of abilities.
Mornington Peninsula Places to Eat
Some eating places to consider on the Peninsula are:
Sages Cottage Farm Cafe in Baxter is a little cafe in a wooden barn with a playground, small farm with animals, gardens and lake.
Blue Mini Cafe is located in a converted ten pin bowling alley in Capel Sound and serves eclectic breakfasts and seasonal lunches.
Johnny Ripe in Main Ridge has house-baked treats and a seasonal all-day menu in a warm, rustic space surrounded by greenery.
Alatonero in McCrae is a beachside dining experience inspired from a long-term love affair with Santorini, and a passion for Greek food and life. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas with a good kids menu.
Red Hill Epicurean in Red Hill South has a beautiful restaurant and cafe which serves legendary pizzas.
Eeny Meeny is a favourite destination for local foodies and lovers of coffee in Frankston.
Merricks General Wine Store is a lovely country general store inspired by the rustic charm of farm life with artisanal food, fine wine, homewares, lifestyle treasures & house-made produce. There is a family-friendly bistro for breakfast and lunch.
Italico has indoor and outdoor Italian dining overlooking Sorrento beach.
Mornington Peninsula Markets
Visit one of the local markets in the region including
Red Hill Community Market is located in a picturesque setting with over 300 stallholders selling local produce and crafts. Its trademark is "Make it, Bake it, Grow it, Breed it." If you can't find something to take home or eat here, you aren't trying very hard (first Saturday of the month except Sept to May).
Point Nepean Portsea Craft Market which is held at the Quarantine Station in Point Nepean National Park, Portsea has about 230 stallholders selling crafts from old world to modern contemporary and gourmet food (a market in Nov, Jan and Easter Saturday)
Emu Plains Market is set amongst the stringy bark forest of the Emu Plains Reserve in Balnarring and showcases fresh local produce, handmade crafts and gourmet food (Third Saturday of the month from October to April)
Mornington Craft Market is held at Mornington Racecourse and has 320 stalls with crafts and food. There is an animal farm for the kids, face painting and buskers (Second Sunday of the month)
The Rye Foreshore Market has around 100 stalls selling fruit and vegetables and plants, along with homemade products such clothing and as jams and soaps.
Tootgarook Community Market has around 250 stalls with a range of handmade arts and crafts, local and fresh produce, gourmet foods, plants, bric-a-brac and clothing (4th Saturday of the month)
Mornington Peninsula Visitor Centres
Pop into a visitor centre and find out what local events are happening. There are visitor centres at Frankston, Mornington and Dromana. Frankston has an extensive program of major events.
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Web Links
→ Summary of Mornington Peninsula Beaches
→ The Best playgrounds in the Mornington Peninsula
→ Mornington Peninsula Street and Public Art
→ Guide to Mornington Peninsula Wineries
150 Best Things to Do on the Mornington Peninsula With Kids, Melbourne, Victoria,
