Public listings checked 25/10/2026. Dates use each event’s local time. Check organiser details before travelling.
Explore the region
Explore Mornington Peninsula's bayside, ocean coast and hinterland towns. Melbourne is separate; allow time between venues and check ferry or coastal access.
Listings across Dromana, Flinders, Hastings, Main Ridge, Mornington, Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Red Hill, Rosebud, Rye, Safety Beach, Shoreham, Sorrento.
Attractions and places to visit
51 places in this selection. Opening hours, access and admission vary; check the place details.
This open style park features a range of elements aimed at all abilities and age groups. The park design features fun boxes with hubba, transitional quarter pipes, pyramid, handrails and a surf wall that caters to skaters who love surf-style skating.
Bike riders can use the quarter to gain speed and hit the fun box. The transition quarter pipes consist of three wide quarters offering skaters, scooters and bike riders an opportunity for coping and air transition tricks.
Hawker Beach in Mount Martha is a 600 metre quiet section of shoreline with golden sand and clear water nestled beneath the steep local sandstone bluffs. The beach faces west-northwest and is in two parts.
This is a moderately safe beach when waves are low, however, still watch the variable water depth off the beach owing to the bars, channels and rip holes. It becomes more rocky underfoot when out in the water. Be aware that while the rips are inactive under low waves, the water will contain strong currents.
This is a year round dog friendly leash free beach. Your dog will love jumping through the waves or digging in the sand.
The northern end is accessed via a wide steep path opposite Helena Street. There are a few beach boxes at the northern end behind a seawall that links Hawker Beach to Craigie Beach.
The Esplanade parallels the shore on top of the bluffs and limited parking is available with signs indicating the trails down to beach. More beach boxes dot the southern end and this can be accessed just north of Augusta Street via a narrow steep path with many steps.
Balcombe Creek, with its estuary, is the last unspoiled waterway entering the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay. The estuary was declared as 4 separate but adjacent reserves in 1987 and covers 44 hectares of natural bushland along the creek’s lower reaches.
The Boonerwrung, the Mornington Peninsula’s traditional owners, called the Balcombe Creek area Tji’tjin’garook – the voice of frogs.
A boardwalk and walking tracks run about 3.5 km through bushland along the south bank, from the estuary to the Nepean Highway, with two bridges to the north bank creating a circuit. At the highway, the track connects with walking tracks in the Briars Park.
This quiet family beach stretching over 1.5 kilometres is a favourite with locals. Colourful bathing boxes line sections of the sandy beach.
Surrounded by bluffs, the beach is accessed by steps at either end of the beach. Entry points are at Sturio Parade or from a small off street parking area on the corner of Earimil Drive and Kunyung Road.
Swimming is best at low tide as there is a deep channel and rip holes. There are some rocky patches and it is best to avoid these. This beach is not patrolled
Discover The Briars, a beautiful 230-hectare property in Mount Martha where nature, conservation, history and discovery come together.
Explore the wildlife sanctuary, with walking trails through woodland, wetlands and open grassland. Keep an eye out for kangaroos, wallabies, emus, koalas and native birdlife, or pause at the bird hides and lookouts to take in the landscape.
The Sanctuary is also home to the new 40-hectare expansion, featuring a 2.6-kilometre grassland walk. Wander through wide-open landscapes, discover new plantings and see conservation in action as this important habitat continues to grow. The expansion forms part of the Briars Ark Conservation Plan, a long-term project protecting threatened species and restoring wildlife to the Mornington Peninsula.
Step back in time at the historic Briars Homestead and gardens. Built in 1851 for Alexander Balcombe and his family, the Homestead is now a National Trust property and an important part of the Peninsula's history.
Visit The Briars Nursery to discover native and indigenous plants for your garden, or explore the Eco-Living Display Centre for practical ideas to create a more resource-efficient home.
The property is also home to an astronomy centre, outdoor education facilities, picnic areas and other community organisations.
Whether you're looking for wildlife, history, nature or a relaxing day outdoors, there's plenty to discover at The Briars.
Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society (MPAS) was founded in 1969 at the time of the first Moon landings with the aim of furthering understanding of Astronomy and Science in the wider community.
The volunteer experts of MPAS have a long history of introducing schools, community groups, tourists and the general public to the wonders of the night sky and the Universe.
Held on at least the first Friday of each month, and more often in Summer holidays, at the registered Mount Martha Observatory inside the Briars Historic Park, these popular events are a great chance to have all your questions about space and the sky answered by experts, and experience guided stargazing under dark skies.
See the Moon with its craters and mountains, and planets like Venus, Mars, mighty Jupiter and ringed Saturn, fascinating stars, nebulae, clusters and galaxies, as well as meteors, satellite and space station passes, and rarer events like eclipses and the Aurora Australis. MPAS also shows a variety of multimedia presentations to spark the interest of curious minds, and you can hold a real meteorite or even buy one.
Free light refreshments are supplied. There is a small gift shop with merchandise available for purchase.
Public stargazing nights are held regardless of the weather, and include indoor talks and outdoor stargazings. Bookings are via the website.
Ranelagh Beach is hidden from view and a favourite of locals and beach box owners. Access is via southern Earimil Drive and a path leading to steep stairs down to the beach. This stretch of sandy beach is bordered by headlands and dotted with colourful beach boxes. The lookout above is a great spot to photograph the beach.
Surfing is possible during strong westerlies. There is a boat launching slip way at the northern end of the beach, used by the Mt Eliza Ranelagh Club.
While reasonably safe for swimming during low waves and at high tide, it is quite rocky so perhaps not the best swimming beach in the area.
The beach is not patrolled.
Mount Martha Beach is home to some of the most beautiful bathing boxes on the Mornington Peninsula. This beach is two kilometres long, with Balcombe Creek mouth dividing it into two equal halves: Mount Martha (South) and Mount Martha North.
The Mount Martha Life Saving Club and the yacht club are located at the northern end of the southern beach. South of the club a vegetated bluff backs the beach, with small boat sheds between the bluff and the 50 metre wide beach.
The beach slopes steeply to the shoreline, with usually deep water against the beach face. A deep water trough often runs along the beach, with a broad, shallow, outer bar cut by deeper channels parallel to the beach.
The beach faces north-west, exposing it to westerly winds which, when strong, produce the waves and currents to maintain and move the bars and troughs. Under normal calm to low wave conditions, and at high tide, waves will only break at the beach. However, during strong winds, higher waves break across the 100 to 200 metres wide outer bar and shoals.
A popular beach for bathers, sailors and boaters, with facilities for all. Including beach matting for accessibility (Mount Martha Lifesaving Club) available daily between November and May. Please note beach matting will not always meet the waters edge, during low tides.
The Mornington Tourist Railway is located on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. They offer a number of exciting experiences.
The Heritage Train Rides operate most Sundays and are perfect for young children and families to experience a bygone era of rail travel. The return ride has a duration of approximately 50 minutes. This beautifully restored timber body carrier known as 'Red Rattlers' is over 100 years old. Open the windows and listen to the clickety clack as the train takes you back in time. The Heritage Train is usually hauled by 1941 vintage steam locomotive K163. On other days, trains are hauled by heritage diesel-electric locomotives of 1950-60s vintage.
Driver Experiences are available where you have the opportunity to take control yourself under supervision of the experience locomotive crews. This is a full day activity including safety briefing, preparing and starting the locomotive, shunting and two trips to Mornington and return. You can even invite friends and family on board to ride on your train.
Children's Birthday Party's can be booked on board their dedicated Party Carriage which comprises two compartments with capacity of 35 and 40 respectively. Can be up to two hours on board the train if desired.
Special events operate throughout the year such as Santa Specials, Easter Eggs-Press, Superheroes Trains and many more.
Based in Mount Eliza, Baluk Arts has a gallery space showcasing artwork by Aboriginal artists local to Mornington Peninsula, Frankston and Southeast Melbourne. Artworks are all locally made, handmade and come with authenticity certificates. Artworks range from works on paper, sculpture, paintings, jewellery and products such as books, and cards.
As Baluk Arts is a not-for-profit, all profits go back to the art centre to provide services and professional development for member artists and the local Indigenous communities.
Baluk Arts was created by a group of Aboriginal people as a way to share culture, re-learn culture and pass on culture to each other in a supportive positive environment. The artists are from diverse Aboriginal backgrounds from all over Australia and most have been impacted by the stolen generation.
As Baluk Arts grew more successful and a strong group of artists formed they opened a large communal studio space with a small gallery in the front to gather, create works and share with the public.
The Centre presents open days, workshops and tours and is open Monday to Saturday. For any further information please contact Baluk Arts or view their website.
Located a short drive from the main village shops of the picturesque Mount Eliza, Canadian Bay is a sandy beach with picnic facilities available. Above Canadian Bay, a walking track runs along the bluffs. The beach is suitable for fishing and swimming, care should be taken at low tide around the rocks and reefs and be cautious of strong rips when higher waves are present.
Car parking is available nearby the Canadian Bay Yacht Club and at the Mount Eliza dog car park.
A leash-free dog beach is located to the North located at the end of Freemans Road. Note that during daylight savings times, restrictions apply between 9am and 7pm.
The Mt Martha Public Golf Course has 18 holes of lush, irrigated, couch fairways that awaits golfers of all standards, our facilities include: fully stocked pro shop, snacks, licensed bar and deck area, social indoor lounge, free barbeques, golf carts, buggies and clubs available for hire, each hole leads you into well kept greens that will keep your game honest.
With a family friendly atmosphere the golf course invites social groups, the beginner, the pro and everyone in between to make the most of affordable green fees and season memberships. Tee yourself up with a box of balls or walk the course in a new pair of golf shoes.
All your golf retail needs will be met onsite in the fully stocked pro shop including before and after game food and refreshments. If you have never played before bring yourself to the course and with our hire sets, buggies and motorised carts you will be well equipped to enjoy your golfing experience.
