We’ve used the extra time during lockdown to explore our beautiful region by completing some of the many walking tracks on the Mornington Peninsula. With lockdown restrictions slowly easing, we thought we’d create a list of our favourite Peninsula walks so that you can plan a great day out, roaming some of the Mornington Peninsula walking tracks and then enjoying some coffee and brunch at Green Olive at Red Hill afterwards! What a way to explore the Peninsula!
1. Merricks Trail (Red Hill Rail Trail)
This walking trail follows the route of the old railway line that links Red Hill to Merricks. The trail is a 12km return journey but there are many options to turn around and make it a shorter walk or simply walk the 6km one way. We recommend walking the trail from Red Hill to Merricks in the morning, getting a coffee from Merricks General Store, walking the trail back to Red Hill and enjoying a grazing style food and wine lunch at Green Olive at Red Hill as a reward. The whole trail usually takes about three hours plus the stop for coffee. This trail is also one of the few dog friendly walking tracks on the Mornington Peninsula! It is quite an easy walk and a great way to enjoy the beautiful Peninsula plant and animal life - you might even spot bright red mushrooms if you’re walking in Autumn! With beautiful views of pony paddocks, vineyards and pine trees, we think this is one of the best walks on the Peninsula!
Merricks Trail
Coffee stop at Merricks General Store
Merricks Trail
2. Two Bays Walking Track - Seawinds Gardens to Waterfall Gully Road
The Two Bays Walking Track is the largest of the walking tracks on the Mornington Peninsula, spanning from Port Phillip Bay in Dromana to Bushrangers Bay near Cape Schanck. Due to its substantial length, we only walk along sections of the Two Bays Walking Track, starting from Seawinds Gardens and ending at Waterfall Gully Road. This section of the track is 7.2kms in length one way and well marked with Blue Wren signs. It is a beautiful bush track that winds through Arthurs Seat State Park where you might see a herd of kangaroos lazing around in the sun. There are a few steep sections of the track but the views of Port Phillip Bay are definitely worth the climb! We recommend brunch at Green Olive at Red Hill before taking a quick car trip up to Seawinds Gardens where you can park and begin your walk along the track! Dogs are not permitted along this trail but the views are breathtaking and walk is a great way to explore the Peninsula.
A joey!
Two Bays Walking Track
Some kangaroos spotted on the track
3. Two Bays Walking Track - Browns Road to Cape Schanck Lighthouse
This section of the Two Bays Walking Track is a great walk through the bush to the ocean and the historic Cape Schanck Lighthouse. This trail is 15.8km, with lovely farm views and cows grazing in the distance. This track will also take you through the Green’s Bush circuit of the Mornington Peninsula National Park which is a beautiful walk through Eucalyptus forests. There is lots to do at the end of the track; once tourism is up and running again, you can take a tour of the lighthouse, visit the lighthouse museum and enjoy the beautiful rock pools on the coast, then get picked up and head back to Green Olive at Red Hill for a Farm Plate and a glass of wine. Dogs are not permitted along this trail.
The view over the bay
We hope that this post has given you some ideas for a great day out on the Peninsula, exploring some of the Mornington Peninsula walking tracks and indulging in some delicious Peninsula produce. We’re looking forward to when we’re able to reopen again and can welcome lots of walkers for a glass of wine or a refreshing, cool drink!