Mornington Peninsula, Coastal peninsula in Victoria, Australia
Mornington Peninsula is a peninsula in Victoria, Australia, stretching south from Melbourne between Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay. Sandy beaches alternate with cliffs, while farmland and forested areas cover the interior.
The Boonwurrung people lived here for millennia before European settlers arrived from the 1800s onward. Resort towns developed in the late 19th century as wealthy families from Melbourne built summer homes.
The name comes from the Earl of Mornington, a British aristocratic title, reflecting the colonial past of the region. Holidaymakers spend days swimming in sheltered bays and stopping at farm gates for fruit or cheese.
Drivers reach the region via several main roads from Melbourne in about one hour. Wind can be strong along open coastal sections, so a jacket is advisable even on warm days.
Thermal springs beneath the surface feed heated pools with mineral water naturally warmed to around 42 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit). Visitors often combine a soak in these pools with a walk through coastal forests or vineyards.
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