Luxury Escapes Guide to the Mornington Peninsula

Distilleries on the Mornington Peninsula tend to specialise in gin, but within in a huge warehouse, on the same Dromana industrial estate as Bass &Flinders Distillery, exists JimmyRum, Victoria’s only dedicated rum distillery. Here, ex-marine engineer James ‘Jimmy’ McPherson crafts downright delicious rum that’s been aged in oak barrels, infused with imported Caribbean rums and proofed up to 57%. Take a seat in front of Matilda, the copper still, and let the man himself introduce you to the original Silver, the Oaked, Barbados and super-strength Navy. Not into spirit tastings? Try the rum-based cocktails in the dog-friendly rum gardens with a grazing platter.

Where else can you sip thoroughbred brews inside a world-class stable-turned-brewery? St Andrews Beach Brewery is the former training facility of some of Australia’s horse racing greats — Makybe Diva, Mummify and Miss Andretti, to name a few— where you can sip hoppy pints in the reclaimed stables these champions once called home. Behind the industrial-style main building, the former 1,200m rack track has been turned into an orchard where 8,000 apple and pear trees grow alongside hops. Be sure to reserve Makybe Diva’s stable and enjoy a woodfired pizza with a new breed of champions in the form of craft beer.

This is not your typical winery. Pt. Leo Estate has a former Rockpool chef in its two-hatted restaurant, Australia’s most comprehensive collection of sculptures in its gardens, and stunning views over the glittering waters of Western Port Bay. A gourmet hideaway headed by chef Phil Wood and a wine list curated by sommelier Andrew Murch (ex-Rockpool), Laura restaurant invites you on a gastronomic tour of the region over four, five or six courses. We recommend pairing this exquisite degustation with a glass of the 2014 pinot noir, before a frolic through the sculpture garden, which was handpicked by a former NGV curator.

When cravings for hand-rolled gnocchi or ribbons of fettucine hit, venture to the Rye Foreshore and Del Posto 2409, a local secret hidden opposite Rye Pier. An ode to regional Italian dining, with an ample menu of imported Italian wine to sate even the most discerning connoisseur, Del Posto 2409 will leave even your Nonna impressed. The antipasti ‘crocchette’ platter of prosciutto with polenta and parmesan promises delight, while the homemade lasagna di anatra, filled with slow-cooked duck, leek and ricotta, will leave you wanting more. If your stomach permits, do yourself a favour and order the cannoli lemon meringue.

Forget placating the kids with smartphones and tablets at family and dog-friendly Mercetta, a mainstay for lazy weekend brunches on Mornington Peninsula’s main street. There are hanging chairs and giant Jenga to entertain the kids, while the grownups can enjoy an outstanding Bloody Mary, complete with candied bacon, or sip the famous hot chocolate, topped with Persian fairy floss and mini marshmallows. As for the food, there’s French toast injected with maple syrup, chicken katsu burgers and a pooch-friendly menu too!

It’s not all wineries and distilleries on the Mornington Peninsula. Enter Little Rebel Coffee Roastery, a Dromana cellar door for coffee that serves some of the best espresso outside of Melbourne. Offering rotating seasonal house blends and single-origin coffee, this industrial-style café, decked out from head-to-toe with tattoo-worthy art and open Monday to Friday only, is the ideal place to get your buzz on. Order a paddle of espresso, on-tap filter brews (there are two types) and take home a bag or two of The Black Sheep or Simon The Likeable blend.

For authentic American BBQ, where the result is charred, succulent and profoundly flavoursome, you needn’t go further than Red Hill’s Red Gum BBQ. Created by Florida-hailing Melissa Goffin and her English husband Martin, Red Gum is housed in a former mechanic’s garage and is now filled with recycled picnic tables and three Texas-style smokers, where meat is cooked low and slow over red gum woodchips. Dig into fall-off-the-bone beef rib or beef brisket with a jug of local beer — Jetty Road Brewery is among one of the 10 on tap — and your typical American sides: coleslaw, mac ‘n’ cheese or cornbread.

Tap into a little slice of Mexico at Casa de Playa, a tapas-inspired bar hidden with an iconic 1800s building on Mornington’s main street. During the day, it’s the perfect lazy brunch destination, where you can sit under the streetfront umbrellas with homemade churros and crushed avocado on quinoa sourdough, while in the evenings, it’s all about the upstairs atrium and balcony overlooking the bay. Pull up a seat overlooking the water as you feast on piquillo croquetas and braised lamb tacos with a margarita or amaretto sour in hand.

There are breweries aplenty in Mornington, but there’s something special about Jetty Road Brewery. Apart from the fact that it’s minutes from Dromana 3 Drive-in, this brewery has 14 beers on tap, including the intimidating Dark Vader black lager, and G&T Good Times — this is Mornington after all. Throw in a kitchen serving JFC (Jetty Road Fried Chicken) and twice-cooked crispy pork belly, and an alfresco beer garden delivering live music every weekend, and this is the perfect place to lose an afternoon. Local tip: be sure to book ahead, otherwise you can expect at least a 20-minutes wait to snag a table.

It doesn’t get much more Mornington Peninsula than Foxeys Hangout, a beautiful spot where you can sip cool-climate chardonnay or pinot noir overlooking the vines. On weekends, tastings are held upstairs among the barrels and bottling line, where you can learn every step of the process. Then there’s the incredible food. We recommend putting yourself in the chef’s hands by ordering seasonal share plates. One weekend you might be feasting on BBQ quail, and the next braised leek with goat curd. Though, if the mushroom sausage roll is on the menu, do yourself a favour and order it.

Fall down the rabbit hole with a five-course degustation dinner at Doot Doot Doot. Instantly recognisable for its whimsical, towering black sculpture of the mythical jackalope in the driveway and 10,000-light chandelier over the dining room, Jackalope and its multi-award-winning restaurant are an extravagant, unmissable dining affair amid the vines. Get comfortable in the inky banquettes — you’ll be here a while — as Executive Chef Guy Stanaway treats the senses to an ingredient-focused menu of seasonal produce, complemented by a 1,200-bottle wine list that honours the onsite Willow Creek Vineyard. Indulge with matched wines and, if you enjoy too much, Jackalope’s plush hotel rooms are just next door.

From a sip perspective, you can’t go past Bass & Flinders Distillery, Mornington Peninsula’s only bespoke distillery, where a paddle of the Orient, Maritime, Ant Gin — yes, we said ‘ant’ — and Cerise is guaranteed to satisfy your juniper fix. Venture to the bar to try some of the more eclectic concoctions, before heading behind the scenes to craft your very own bespoke gin. Over two hours, you will learn about native botanicals, savour a cheese platter and blend your favourite botanical medley. Take home a 500ml bottle and enjoy time and again with your recipe available for reorder. Heads up: this particular class is often booked out six months in advance.

Newly reopened in 2019 following the bushfires, Ten Minutes by Tractor’s cellar door serves a paddock-to-plate degustation dinner at the eponymous two-chef-hatted restaurant. Headed up by ex-The Fat Duck and Noma Executive Chef Adam Sanderson, an eight-course meal here will take you on a gastronomic tour of Mornington as you’re treated to exquisite vistas over the cool-climate vines, with a seasonal menu of Bundarra pork belly, Hawkes Farm potato and dry-aged duck breast. You’ll be here for four hours, so we highly recommended adding the iconic matched wines to round out this gourmet discovery.

Immerse yourself in the Mornington Peninsula with Luxury Escapes’ hand-picked Experiences. We’ve curated a selection of cultural activities, adrenaline thrills, food adventures and luxury add-ons to help you discover your destination. These Experiences are bookable when you purchase your next escape. Simply select your travel dates and number of travellers for any package, and opt to tailor your escape by selecting the available Experiences.