Grand Tour One

Amazing Drives
Australia, Beach, Cafe, Cellar Door, Coffee, Eat, enjoy, Farm, Food, Kitchen, Local, lunch, Merricks, Mornington Peninsula, Red Hill, Restaurant, Shoreham, Vegetables, Victoria, Vineyard, Weekend, Wine
Our Grand Tour One is a meandering journey through the Mornington Peninsula that takes you through the hinterland to the rugged south west with a main break at the Peninsula Hot Springs where you will leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to soak up some iconic roads and fresh experiences as you journey homeward.

The Classic Drive-by

Amazing Drives
Australia, Balnarring, Beach, Cafe, Cellar Door, Coffee, Eat, enjoy, Exhibition, Farm, Flinders, Food, Gallery, Garden, Horse Riding, Kitchen, Local, lunch, Merricks, mornington, Mornington Peninsula, Red Hill, Victoria, Vineyard, Weekend, Wine
From amazing views to farm-gates, general stores, cellar doors and exhilarating country roads – these things are synonymous with the Peninsula. This tour gives you a chance to enjoy the ride, taste some things along the way, and stretch your legs all within a few hours.

Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm

Farmgates, Food & Drink
Australia, Berries, Cafe, Coffee, Farm, Farmgate, Food, Fruit, Jam, Local, mornington, Mornington Peninsula, Peninsula, Pick, Red Hill, Rocky Creek, Shop, strawberry, Strawberry Farm, Weekend
Nestled into the verdant hills of Main Ridge amid volcanic soil and with perfect climatic conditions, lies 300 acres of strawberry fields – Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm. First settled by Pietro Gallace, father of current owner, Mick – Pietro planted apples, but soon discovered that the conditions in the area were perfectly suited for strawberries. 

Escape to the Country

Amazing Drives
Australia, Balnarring, Beach, Buy, Cafe, Cellar Door, Coffee, Country, Drive, dromana, Eat, enjoy, Farm, Flinders, Food, Garden, Local, lunch, Merricks, mornington, Mornington Peninsula, Red Hill, Shoreham, Victoria, Vineyard, Weekend
What really makes the Mornington Peninsula so unique? Beautiful vistas, rugged coastlines, exhilarating walks, chefs who champion local and sustainable produce, wine, beer, cheese and scenic drives equal to any of the best in the world and within an hours drive from Melbourne.

Vulcano Gelato

Food & Drink
Beach, Cafe, Cakes, Children, Coffee, Food, gelato, Ice Cream, Juice Bar, Local, Mornington Peninsula, Pier, Rye Pier, Sorrento, Vulcano, Weekend
At Love the Pen, we have a confessed weakness for good gelato, a preference that easily trumps ice cream. The silky-smooth texture, the intensity of flavours, and the lower fat content make gelato a superior indulgence. Unlike its ice cream counterpart, gelato is churned at a slower rate, incorporating less air and resulting in a denser, more flavourful experience. It's served at a slightly warmer temperature, allowing the true essence of the ingredients to shine through. And let's not forget, it's an Italian masterpiece that has captured hearts globally.

Essence Food for the Soul

Food & Drink
Buy, chef, curries, Curry, Custard, delicious, Dessert, desserts, Eat, Essence, Food, Food for the Soul, Home, Kitchen, Love the Pen, lovethepeninsula, lunch, Mornington Peninsula, Pie, Pies, Portsea, Portsea Hotel, quality produce, quiches, Soup, Soups
When chef husband and wife team Jim and Melanie Houston got married at the Portsea Hotel, little did they know that 10 years later they would buy a business across the road from the Portsea Hotel and live in it with their three children for the best part of a year. That business is now known as Essence Food for the Soul. As chefs, life for Jim and Melanie was busy, particularly with three young children. The long hours took a strain, and they were ready to make a lifestyle change within the food industry. Sometimes everything falls into place and you find the ideal scenario, and this wholesale food business was perfect for the chef team. Essence Food for the Soul is all about the best quality produce made into delicious, heat and serve meals that help the time poor to eat well.

South Beach Project

Food & Drink
Beach, Cafe, Children, Coffee, Eat, Events, Family, Food, Kitchen, Local, Love the Pen, Mornington Peninsula, Restaurant, South Beach Project, Swim, Village, Volpino, Walk, Weddings, Weekend, Wine
Going out for a brunch of avocado on toast and a perfectly brewed flat white is a weekend ritual for many down Mt Martha way but the eclectic menu also includes dishes such as Fried Noodle Omelette, Mexican Grain Salad, Cauliflower Cous Cous & Korean Fried Chicken Burgers. As a region, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to exceptional cafes and South Beach Project fits neatly into this bracket.