Mornington Peninsula: Family Guide To The Best Places To Visit With kids
Wondering what to visit in Mornington Peninsula with kids? Here is a detailed guide about the Mornington Peninsula for families and kids. Find out the best kids activities, and where to go on the Mornington Peninsula that the whole family will love.
Visit national parks, where you can go on walks and trails on a Mornington Peninsula day trip experience. The views of the dramatic cliffs and ocean are magnificent!
Contents navigation
Feel free to skip to any section of this article below:
- Best national parks to visit with kids and family
- Best walking trails Mornington Peninsula
- Best family beaches in Mornington Peninsula
- Best playgrounds in Mornington Peninsula
- Mornington Peninsula tours for families with kids
- More fun kids activity in Mornington Peninsula
- Frequently asked questions
Note:
We are regularly updating this guide with new family friendly places and great kids activities in Mornington Peninsula we discover. If you want to recommend a destination or be featured in this article, please get in touch with us today. We’d love to spread the word about it!
The best national parks to visit with kids and family
Wondering where to go on the Mornington Peninsula with kids? The Mornington Peninsula is famous for its beautiful views and nature. Below are the best national parks to visit with kids and family.
Fort Nepean at Point Nepean National Park
At Point Nepean Park, situated on the traditional Country of the Bunurong People, you can discover the region’s rich history from European arrival, to World War I and II, all in a beautiful dramatic coastal landscape.
Fort Nepean is situated on the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula and is one of Victoria’s most important heritage site that protected Melbourne during the gold rush, World War I and World War II. Its strategic placing meant it was one of the most important defence posts in Victoria.
Exploring the fort, you will find barracks, tunnels, gun emplacements, an engine house, a bomb-proof room and more. Looking out to the ocean, you will marvel at The Rip, where the usually calm waters at Port Phillip come face to face with the rough Southern Ocean seas.
The Quarantine Station
The Quarantine Station, established in 1852, gives you a glimpse of early European history. The variety of facilities helped protect Victoria and Australia from emergence of newly introduced diseases brought from overseas. It was then used by the army during World War II, and after the war it continued to be used by the army as an Officer Cadet School, barracks, a gymnasium and a library.
You can explore the Quarantine station by foot, walking around the many historical buildings surrounded by lots of bushes and trees, and a lovely, peaceful beach. It’s a great spot for a picnic or BBQ.
Wildlife at Point Nepean National Park
If you’re lucky and paying attention, you might spot some native Australian wildlife hiding around Point Nepean National Park. Echidnas have been spotted often in the bushes near the Quarantine Station and on the walking trail to Fort Nepean.
Facilities:
- Public toilets, picnic tables and BBQs at the Quarantine Station.
- No water fountains and no toilets at Fort Nepean.
- Plenty of parking at the entrance to Fort Nepean (you need to take a walking trail through the coastal bush to get there) and at the Quarantine Station.
Accessibility:
- Fort Nepean and Quarantine Station can be difficult to access for people with disabilities.
- There are some flat paths in the Quarantine Station that can be pram and wheelchair friendly, but many paths are uneven.
- Assistance dogs are welcome, but other dogs or pets are not allowed in Point Nepean National Park.
School Holidays Tip:
- Take a good 2 to 3 hours or more to explore Point Nepean National Park.
- Bring water, snacks and sunscreen.
Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve at Mornington Peninsula National Park
Mornington Peninsula National Park is a perfect destination for family friendly walking trails and beaches. Kids will love exploring the bush and enjoying the beach.
Cape Schanck Lighthouse dates back to 1859 and was constructed from limestone and sandstone. You can take the steps up to the top and marvel at the magnificent 360 degree views of the coast, bursts of green coastal nature and flowers, and waves splashing against dramatic cliffs.
Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve also has a museum where you can learn more about the interesting history of the lighthouse and fascinating stories from lighthouse keeper families.
Tickets to Cape Schanck Lighthouse
To enter Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Museum, two viewing platforms with fantastic lookouts, and more, the entry ticket prices are:
- Adults: $16 per person
- Kids (5 to 16 years old): $10 per child
- Family: $42
Cape Schanck Lighthouse Opening Hours
- Cape Schanck Lighthouse is open from 10am and 4pm.
- During the summer months, closing hours may be extended.
Cape Schanck Reserve Facilities
- Carpark
- Public toilets
- Picnic tables and BBQs
- Dogs are not allowed at Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve nor in Mornington Peninsula National Park.
Accessibility at Cape Schanck
This beautiful park and walking trail has great accessibility:
- Designated disability parking spots
- Pram and wheelchair friendly flat paths leading to the foot of the lighthouse
- Pram and wheelchair access to the museum and lookouts with breathtaking views
- Assistance dogs are welcome.
The video below clearly explains the accessibility at Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve:
Best walking trails in Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula walking trails are some of the best walking trails in Melbourne, Victoria. Enjoy breathtaking ocean views as you venture through gorgeous coastal nature.
Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk
The Coastal Walk is an awesome challenge for families with older kids! This 2-day 26km walking track takes you on an adventure through Mornington Peninsula National Park, along high clifftops, coastal nature, hidden coves, tidal rock pools and breathtaking ocean beach landscapes.
To tackle this whole track, it is best to stay in a nearby hotel or motel overnight. The Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk has many other walking trails passing through it, so you can enter at many points.
The Hooded Plover symbol identifies that you are on the Coastal Walk. Arrow markers indicate the walking track, orange markers indicate longer ‘through tracks’ and blue markers indicate circuit tracks to intersecting places, like lookout platforms.
Cape Schanck to Bushrangers Bay
From the eastern carpark at Cape Schanck, set off on a walking trail overlooking the stunning coast and ocean beaches, leading to Bushrangers Bay, a sandy beach surrounded by basalt cliffs.
This walk takes about 2 hours.
Bushrangers Bay is located about 1.5hrs from Melbourne CBD, and is a great place to visit with kids in Mornington Peninsula. You can explore and enjoy the rock pools here at low tide with enough time left to safely make it back to the shore before high tide.
You can also access Bushrangers Bay from the Boneo car park, from which the walk down to Bushrangers Bay beach is faster and only 2.5km long. However the parking is limited and while you might find a spot to park along the road, the area can get very busy especially in summer.
Two Bays Walking Track
A unique trail going through Greens Bush where you can walk through the gorgeous eucalyptus forest with fern gullies and grasslands with incredible strands of grass tree some over 200 years old.
Greens Bush is also a great place to run into kangaroos!
Accessibility on the Two Bays Walking Track
The first section of the trail, leading to the Two Bays lookout over beautiful ocean views and dramatic cliffs, is a mostly flat dirt track with some steep sections that can be accessed with a pram, stroller or wheelchair.
You can start this trail from the toilets near the Cape Schanck Lighthouse carpark, heading east.
Best family beaches in Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula beaches are some of the best in Melbourne, Victoria. Below are our top beaches for families with kids.
Sorrento Ocean Beach
Sorrento Beach is perfect for families with kids. There are rock pools where kids can swim and play at low tide. Swimming is allowed between flags, but the waves can be quite rough so take care.
On busy days, Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club patrols the beach.
There’s a cafe overlooking the beach if you get hungry or want some ice cream.
There is a big car park with beach access from a staircase or ramp. Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat on sunny days!
Rye Beach
Another great family friendly beach on the Mornington Peninsula, the beach in Rye is 4km long with soft white sand and clean, shallow water up to a distance, perfect for a splash or swim for kids!
Rye beach is also dog friendly if you want to bring your furry friend along.
There is a big car park at the end of Sandy Rd, or you can park in the streets or car parks near the shops, cafes, restaurants and other facilities.
You can get fish and chips or ice cream there!
Best playgrounds in Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula has some of the best play centres and playgrounds in Melbourne. Here are our top playground picks:
Kidz Shed Indoor Playcentre
Kidz Shed Indoor Playcentre and Cafe
Kidz Shed is a locally-owned outdoor and indoor playcentre & cafe on the Mornington Peninsula, where kids and parents come and go with a smile.
Kidz Shed is an independent, locally-owned outdoor and indoor playcentre in Mornington Peninsula. The whole family will enjoy their time in this fun, clean and safe playcentre.
While the kids play, parents can sit back and relax with a cuppa from the onsite cafe catering to various dietary needs and serving delicious homemade meals (lasagnes, pizza, hamburgers... you name it!) and hot and cold drinks.
Kids of all ages can have a blast at Kidz Shed. For toddlers under 3 years old, there is a dedicated fenced off playspace just for them. There's also a fenced off outdoor jumping castle great for sunny days!
Rosebud Foreshore Playground
Rosebud Foreshore Playground on the beach will become a favourite for you and your kids!
There are many kids activities and play equipment here to enjoy: a multi-level playspace, flying fox, swings, the 'mountain' slide, ropes for climbing, a spinning disc and more.
There are also BBQs and picnic tables perfect for a family lunch by the sea. The playground overlooks the ocean and Rosebud pier, where you can watch boats and ships come and go. You can also go for a stroll along the coast, and there is a family-friendly beach nearby too.
Ryes Up Community Playground
This great playground near Rye Beach and Rye Beach Pier is lots of fun for kids in Melbourne. It was built in a wonderful community effort for kids to enjoy.
The playgrounds was designed in the shape of a ship, with lots of play equipment from monkey bars, climbing ropes, a fireman's pole and balance beams, to a rock climbing wall, many slides, swings, a wobble bridge and a cubby house in the shape of a lighthouse (like a mini Cape Schanck Lighthouse!).
There are also many sea themed beautiful decorations throughout the playground, from little starfish, crabs and even mermaids and a treasure chest. It's such a special place!
The playground is enclosed, and there is also a flat path suitable for wheelchairs and prams throughout the playspace. There are picnic tables and a carpark near the playground.
McCrae Foreshore Reserve Lighthouse Playground
This small Lighthouse playground in Mornington Peninsula is great for younger kids. The best feature is a lighthouse cubby house with a staircase, 2 climbing walls and slide. There are also swings and monkey bars.
McCrae Foreshore Lighthouse Playground is located on Point Nepean Road, near the McCrae lighthouse and close to the beach.
Mornington Peninsula tours for families with kids
Discover Mornington Peninsula’s marine wildlife, from friendly dolphins and seals to unique sea dragons, in these awesome tours. There are many to choose from, so there's sure to be something for everyone!
Have you ever tried snorkelling? Mornington Peninsula has some fantastic snorkelling tours where you can encounter incredible wildlife and marine animals.
Mornington Peninsula Sea Dragons Snorkelling Tour
Have you met a sea dragon before? Now is the perfect opportunity! Kids will love this fun Melbourne snorkel adventure where they will discover Weedy Sea Dragons unique to Mornington Peninsula and the Australian south coast.
The tour begins with a snorkelling class from professional guides so you feel confident and safe during the tour.
You will then embark on the tour where you will meet the extraordinary Weedy Sea Dragons, as well as more Mornington Peninsula wildlife like Hermit Crabs, Spine Globe Puffer Fish, Star Gazers, beautiful soft corals and more.
Sounds great? Book your snorkel tour today:
Book Mornington Peninsula Snorkel Tours
Experience snorkeling with these tours in Victoria’s Port Phillip Bay - a relaxed setting with the chance to spot dolfins or witness the rare Weedy Sea Dragons firsthand.
Dolphin and Seal Swim Reef Snorkel Tour
This fun snorkel tour lets you swim with dolphins and seals, and explore the coral reef with many colourful fish.
It's a great experience for the whole family, and kids will love meeting Mornington Peninsula animals like friendly fur seals and bottlenose dolphins, rays, kelp, sea dragons and many more.
Sounds like fun? Book a snorkel tour today:
Book Mornington Peninsula Snorkel Tours
Experience snorkeling with these tours in Victoria’s Port Phillip Bay - a relaxed setting with the chance to spot dolfins or witness the rare Weedy Sea Dragons firsthand.
Scuba Diving Mornington Peninsula with Sea Dragons
Would you prefer scuba diving to snorkelling? Or want to try both? This Mornington Peninsula Scuba Dive tour is great for you.
Before the tour starts, you will have a scuba diving class where you will learn all the basics of how to scuba dive. Then you will discover the unique Weedy Sea Dragons and more wonderful marine animals in Mornington Peninsula.
Sounds like a plan? Book this experience today:
Book Skuba Diving Mornington Peninsula
Enjoy beautiful soft coral and unique marine life including Weedy Sea Dragons on this Mornington Peninsula scuba diving adventure.
More fun kids activities in Mornington Peninsula
There are heaps of fun kids activities Mornington Peninsula has to offer. Check out more family friendly places below.
Moonlit Sanctuary
Moonlit Sanctuary is a fantastic wildlife conservation park and zoo in Mornington Peninsula. Kids will love meeting adorable Australian animals from koalas and kangaroos to dingoes, wombats and more.
With daily koala, dingo, python and Tasmanian devil shows, as well as animal encounters like cuddling koalas, feeding kangaroos and wallabies and more, Moonlit Sanctuary is an awesome place that's just an hour away from Melbourne. Kids will have a blast!
Sounds fun? Book your entry tickets today:
Book Moonlit Sanctuary Entry Tickets
Buy entry tickets to Moonlit Sanctuary, a charming wildlife conservation park on the Mornington Peninsula to see all the rare Aussie animals.
Book Ashcombe Maze And Lavender Gardens Entry Tickets
Buy entry tickets to Ashcombe Maze And Lavender Gardens, Australia's oldest most famous hedge maze based in the Mornington Peninsula.
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All Abilities Playgrounds In Melbourne To Visit
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mornington Peninsula?
The Mornington Peninsula is a lovely coastal region southeast of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, Australia. It is about an hour drive from Melbourne CBD.
Where does the Mornington Peninsula start?
The Mornington Peninsula begins in Frankston South and Pearcedale, and includes the suburbs of Mornington, Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Somerville, Sorrento, Portsea, Rye, Rosebud, Dromana, Flinders and others.
Is Mornington Peninsula regional or metro Melbourne?
The Mornington Peninsula is considered part of metropolitan Melbourne. It's located just over an hour south of Melbourne City CBD.
Metropolitan Melbourne is divided into 31 local government areas (LGAs) which include: Mornington Peninsula, Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, Brimbank, Cardinia, Casey, Darebin, Frankston, Glen Eira, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Manningham, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Melton, Monash, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Yarra, and Yarra Ranges.
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