FOR a great day out in Victoria it's hard to go past the Mornington Peninsula.
Enjoy the view: Start your day with an incredible view of the region aboard one of the Arthurs Seat Eagle's blue gondolas, taking in expansive views of Port Phillip Bay and the city you simply can't get anywhere else. The spacious aerial gondolas, which are wheelchair accessible, are currently operating with windows off to ensure good airflow but fresh blankets are available for cooler days.
Afterwards, treat yourself to one of the Eagle's picnic packages at nearby Seawinds Gardens or enjoy a light bite at The Eagle Café located at the summit (open daily from 10 am).
Operating daily, Arthurs Seat Eagle offers Seniors Card holders a discounted rate of $21.
Treat yourself: From open-air dining to some of the freshest produce, farm gates and quality wineries, the Mornington Peninsula is the go-to destination for the tastier things in life.
Red Hill Truffles offer leisurely two-hour truffle hunts during autumn with the help of truffle dog Thomas. The tour, tasting and hunt package is $150.
Sip some of the region's finest wines at Montalto. Its courtyards and outdoor sculpture park are perfect for a picnic. Montalto offers 10 exclusive picnic sites around the winery for groups of two to eight people. For $100 per person, they set up the picnic tables with umbrellas, white linen, tableware and glassware, while you bring your appetite for a three-course picnic, with tea and coffee included. Picnics can be booked seven days a week from 11 am-4 pm.
Alternatively, collect some of the Peninsula's finest produce on a farmgate tour. At Pure Peninsula Honey learn how fresh honey is made and collected onsite (and get a look inside a working hive.) At the farm gate shop, you'll find a selection of honey varieties, beeswax products as well as honey-flavoured ice cream. At Main Ridge Dairy, sample and shop in the cheesery or join the goats for a stroll around the grounds. Nearby, Torello Farm offers a one-stop-shop for fruit, vegetables and gourmet goods. Open daily, you can browse the freshest in-season produce and stock up on goodies to enjoy later.
Stay active: Keen to hit the green? There are 15 golf courses to choose from, including popular courses like Eagle Ridge, The Dunes and Bayview Golf.
Alternatively, slip on your comfiest walking shoes and take the Bushrangers Bay Trail. It's a gentle and picturesque hike from the Cape Schanck Lighthouse to Bushrangers Bay, with incredible coastal scenery along the (roughly) three kilometre trail.
Anglers can hit Port Phillip Bay for a day out with Jillian Fishing Trips. On board The Sea Eagle, fishers enjoy a relaxing four-hour trip with all equipment provided. Your catch is expertly cleaned and fileted to take home with you and, weather permitting, there's a quick stop at a seal colony. You're guaranteed to catch a fish or your trip is free. Adults are $70 but a discounted rate of $50 applies for seniors.
Stroll the gardens: Depending on the time of year, there's always something different in bloom. If you're visiting with grandchildren, the Enchanted Adventure Garden boasts three hedge mazes, a Japanese garden as well as zip lines and plenty of other activities.
For something quieter, try a picnic at Cruden Farm with its gorgeous gardens, lemon-scented gum trees and sculpture park. The farm, with its manicured gardens, was gifted to the public following the death of its former owner, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Tours run once a month on a Sunday with tickets currently discounted to $10, children free.
Avid gardeners will love nearby Heronswood House and Garden. The historic two-acre Dromana property not only has a stunning garden but it's the home of the Digger's Club - Australia's most respected gardening organisation. You can wander the garden, get advice and tips at the garden shop and enjoy a bite in the café inside Heronswood House. The seasonal menu focuses on fresh, locally-sourced produce.
For more ideas about where to go and what to do www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Mornington-Peninsula
