Three days on the peninsula

1. Main Street, Mornington~40 min at the stop

A morning in the shops. The street is short, and the pier is a walk from here.

Tip: Do not stretch the shops. The pier and the bay are better in the morning light.

↓ walk · 20 min · 1.6 km

2. Mornington Pier~30 min at the stop

The pier and the calm water of the bay. For children this is a gentler swim than the ocean beaches on day 3.

Tip: Swim between the flags when a patrol is on duty.

↓ drive · 30 min · 28 km

3. Merricks Store~1 h 10 min at the stop

Lunch in the hills: produce, wine and the verandah. Jackalope hotel is in this same direction.

Worth knowing: The Joyner family built the store in 1922. Since 2008 it has belonged to the Myer and Baillieu families: in spring 1972 Baillieu Myer planted 400 vines at Elgee Park, the peninsula's first commercial vineyard.

Tip: The kitchen runs to 17:00, and lunch to 15:30. Friday has a booked dinner.

4. Arthurs Seat Eagle~1 h 10 min at the stop

A morning ride up. Enchanted Adventure is next door at 55 Purves Road if you have children with you.

Worth knowing: The 34 eight-seat cabins were made in Switzerland, the summit is 305 m high and the tallest tower lifts the rope 22 m. The gondola replaced the old chairlift that was already carrying people up the hill in the early 1960s.

Tip: A return ticket is for the same day. Under 4s are free. Look for the kangaroos in the morning.

↓ drive · 25 min · 24 km

5. Sorrento~1 h at the stop

Lunch at The Baths, or just Ocean Beach Road. The pier is a walk away.

Tip: Bus 788 reaches here from Frankston if this day is without a car.

↓ drive · 12 min · 8 km

6. Point Nepean~1 h 20 min at the stop

The quarantine station and the road to the fort. Entry is free. With children the shuttle is easier than walking the whole way.

Worth knowing: On 5 August 1914 a Fort Nepean gun fired across the bow of the German steamer Pfalz as it tried to leave the bay, often called the first Allied shot of WWI. At Cheviot Beach, Prime Minister Harold Holt vanished while swimming in 1967.

Tip: The gate shuttle meets the 788 bus only twice, at 10:25 and 1:30. Walk to the fort via Coles Track or take the shuttle: The Bend steps and the Engine House are closed. Cars enter until 6 pm, 8 pm during daylight saving. No drinking water beyond the station.

7. Cape Schanck~40 min at the stop

A morning at the lighthouse, before the wind picks up. The grounds are free.

Worth knowing: The 21 m limestone tower was lit in 1859 as Victoria's second coastal lighthouse and is still active. Inside is a stone staircase, the first lighthouse tower in Australia built with stone stairs.

Tip: The tower needs its own ticket. The boardwalk is windy even in summer.

↓ drive · 15 min · 14 km

8. Peninsula Hot Springs~2 h 30 min at the stop

The long pause of the trip. The Bath House is for all ages. The adult spa area is from 16 years.

Tip: Book a time ahead: same-day entry costs 10 percent more. An arrival by 8:30 or after 18:00 is the cheaper session. Phone 03 5950 8777.

↓ drive · 20 min · 18 km

9. Flinders~40 min at the stop

A quiet finish on Cook Street and at the pier. Quarters at Flinders is in this same village if you are sleeping on the ocean side.

Tip: The drive back to Melbourne is shorter from here than from the Portsea point.