The Mornington Peninsula makes an easy day trip from Melbourne, with the drive from the CBD to towns like Sorrento or Rosebud taking a little over an hour. The hard part is deciding what to actually do once you’re there. Here are three simple itineraries depending on what your day is built around.
Itinerary 1: Wineries and Lunch
Start with the drive from Melbourne CBD to Red Hill, about 1 hour 6 minutes, and spend the late morning and early afternoon moving between 2 to 3 cellar doors in the Red Hill, Merricks and Moorooduc area. Many, like Montalto, Polperro and Pt. Leo Estate, have restaurants on site, so lunch can be built straight into the loop. Book a private taxi or Maxi Taxi for the day so nobody has to stay sober to drive.
Itinerary 2: Beaches and Peninsula Hot Springs
Head toward Rosebud or Sorrento, both around 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 30 minutes from Melbourne CBD, for a morning at the beach, then finish the day at Peninsula Hot Springs near Fingal, about 1 hour 17 minutes from the city. The Hot Springs are a relaxed way to end a beach day, especially outside peak summer weekends when it’s less crowded.
Itinerary 3: Lighthouse and Coastal Walks
For a more scenic, less food and wine focused day, head to Cape Schanck to see the 1859 lighthouse and walk the Bushrangers Bay track, then loop back through Sorrento or Portsea, both around 1 hour 30 minutes from Melbourne, for a coastal lunch before heading home.
Getting There Without Driving Yourself
All three itineraries cover real distance, and none of them are practical by public transport alone. A private taxi or day tour lets you cover multiple stops on one booking, with a driver who already knows the roads and the best order to see everything in, rather than juggling a rental car and directions all day.
See our Mornington Peninsula day tours to book a full day itinerary with pickup from Melbourne or the Peninsula, or check individual services like Winery Tours and Peninsula Hot Springs Transfers for a single destination trip.