If you’re into food and drink...
Mornington Peninsula
If ever a region were ideally suited to a gourmet holiday, it’s the
Mornington Peninsula. Populated by restaurants and world-class wineries, this destination is an easy 90-minute drive south of the CBD.
You’ll find excellent examples of barbecue, banana pudding and good ol’ southern hospitality at
Red Gum BBQ, a stellar barbecue restaurant inside a former machinery shed ( 87 Arthurs Seat Rd, Red Hill 3937. 03 5989 3156. redgumbbq.com.au. Wed, Thu 11am-8.30pm; Fri, Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-4.30pm). If you’re after something a little more luxe, Laura is the fine diner of the Mornington Peninsula to try, located at Pt Leo Estate ( 3649 Frankston-flinders Rd, Merricks 3916. 03 5989 9011. www.ptleoestate.com.au. Sun-wed noon-5pm; Thu-sat noon-10.30pm).
A fantastic produce-led restaurant, a fascinating sculpture garden and delightful wines crafted with care – Mornington Peninsula wineries don’t get much better than Montalto ( 33 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South 3937. 03 5989 8412. montalto. com.au. Sun-tue 11am-5pm; Fri, Sat 11am-5pm & 6.30-10pm). If you’re more of a cocktail fan, head to Flaggerdoot, the fancy designdriven cocktail bar at Jackalope Hotel ( 166 Balnarring Rd, Merricks North 3926. 03 5931 2500. www. jackalopehotels.com. Mon-wed 5pm-midnight; Thu 3pm-midnight; Fri 1pm- midnight; Sat, Sun 11am-midnight).
Bellarine Peninsula
Travellers are starting to realise that the rugged coastal region of the Bellarine Peninsula has just as much to offer as the Mornington, and it’s considerably less expensive. If you’re keen to try the local produce try the degustation-only Igni ( Ryan Pl, Geelong 3220.
03 5222 2266. www.restaurantigni. com. Thu 6-11pm; Fri, Sat noon4pm & 6-11pm; Sun noon-4pm). Otherwise, we’d suggest a meal at Merne ( 650 Andersons Rd, Drysdale 3222. 03 5251 5541. www.merne.com.au. Sun, Mon, Thu noon-2pm; Fri, Sat noon-2pm & 6-8pm). Take your pick from some of the peninsula’s best wineries including Jack Rabbit Vineyard ( 85 Mcadams Ln, Bellarine 3221. 03 5251 2223. www.jackrabbitvineyard. com.au. Sun-wed 10am-5pm; Fri, Sat 10am-5pm & 6-11pm), Curlewis Winery ( 55 Navarre Rd, Curlewis 3222. 03 5250 4567. www. curlewiswinery.com.au. Sat, Sun 11.30am-4pm) and Basils Farm
( 43-53 Nye Rd, Swan Bay 3225. 03 5258 4280. www.basilsfarm. com.au. Mon, Thu, Fri 10am-4pm; Sat, Sun 10am-5pm). Switch up your winery visits with a trip to the Whiskery, a gin and whisky distillery ( 2102-2120 Portarlington Rd, Drysdale 3222. 0468 926 282. www.bellarinedistillery.com.au. Fri-sun 11am-5pm).