Destination style The Mornington Peninsula’s style secrets
WE EXPLORE AUSTRALIA’S MOST EXCITING DESIGN AND STYLE DESTINATIONS
With its rugged wilderness, coastal vistas and lush hinterland, Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, just one hour’s drive from Melbourne, is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle. Whether you want to breathe in the fresh sea air at a cute-as-a-button seaside village, explore the peninsula’s stunning national parks or go on a gourmet tour of artisan produce, wineries, breweries and distilleries, a trip to this little slice of heaven is in order.
eat
1. Doot Doot Doot at Jackalope Step inside and you can’t help but stare at the 10,000-globe ceiling installation by lighting designer, Jan Flook. The canopy, which is intended to evoke the sensation of fermenting wine, is just the start of your food journey in the one-hatted restaurant. Visit: 166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North. Bookmark: jackalopehotels.com.
2. Many Little Bar & Bistro
Brought to you by the owners of Polperro Winery, Many Little Bar & Bistro offers modern Asian cuisine drawing on head chef Gayan Pieris’s Sri Lankan heritage, as well as produce from Polperro’s organic farm. Visit: 2-5/159 Shoreham Rd,
Red Hill South.
Bookmark: manylittle.com.au.
SHOP
3. Sandarne
Swinging open its doors in 1996, lifestyle store Sandarne is reflective of owner Natasha Riley’s passion for quality homewares, and her love for natural tones and textures. Some of the many wonderful gems you can find here are artworks by Tim Freeman, The Raconteur candles and beautiful Cultiver linens.
Visit: 147 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento. Bookmark: sandarne.com.au.
STAY
5. Jackalope
This brilliantly executed five-star hotel - set in Willow Creek Vineyard - reflects the passions of owner Louis Li (of Black Star Pastry) for design, art, food and storytelling. Visit: 166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North. Bookmark: jackalopehotels.com.
6. Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill Thoughtfully designed by Hecker Guthrie, Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill is a modern take on a charming European country hotel that has a distinct Australian touch.
Visit: 142 Arthurs Seat Rd, Red Hill. Bookmark: lancemore.com.au.
4. RED HILL HOUSE
WHEN JOSIE ACHERMANN STARTED WORKING AT RED HILL HOUSE MORE THAN 14 YEARS AGO, SHE WASN’T EXPECTING TO TAKE IT OVER NINE YEARS LATER. JOSIE STOCKS A RANGE OF LOCALLY SOURCED, AUSTRALIAN-MADE
AND -DESIGNED PRODUCTS THAT HAVE BEEN LOVINGLY CRAFTED. VISIT: 169C SHOREHAM RD,
RED HILL. BOOKMARK: REDHILL HOUSE.COM.AU.
7. Wineries
Some of the must-visit wineries in this cool-climate wine region include Ten Minutes by Tractor, Port Phillip Estate and Polperro Winery. All three have cellar doors but also have restaurants where you can be served up a delicious lunch or dinner while having a glass – or two – of the fruits of their labour. Bookmark: tenminutesbytractor.com.au; portphillipestate.com.au; polperrowines.com.au.
8. Pt. Leo Estate Sculpture Park
Consisting of some 60 large-scale sculptures set against the shimmering backdrop of Western Port Bay, Pt. Leo Estate Sculpture Park is the vision of Melbourne-based collectors and philanthropists John and Pauline Gandel. Visitors can take a relaxed stroll along a series of meandering paths to take in the magnificent international and local art. While at Pt. Leo Estate, make sure you visit one of its three restaurants, fine diner Laura,
Pt. Leo Restaurant or the Wine Terrace.
Visit: 3649 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Merricks. Bookmark: ptleoestate.com.au/sculpture-park.
“THIS PLACE IS TRULY ONE OF VICTORIA’S GEMS _ THE SCENERY IS SPECTACULAR” ~ KATRINA O’BRIEN, HB ACTING EDITOR