News

Hummingbird offers individuals the inspiration and support to live in balance with themselves, their communities, and the earth. Come and enjoy a herbal tea, stroll through our edible gardens, or stay for a night in one of our many nature inspired rooms. Whilst you are here enjoy our classes in an environment removed from every day pressures where you can retreat, relax & reconnect. All classes $15 per person, $10 guests or concession: *All classes suitable for beginners

Click here for the workshops timetable

Mornington Peninsula Shire is continuing to take a 'No Entertainment - No Nonsense' approach for the upcoming New Year's Eve on the peninsula, working in partnership with a community based steering committee, police and residents to reduce the negative impact of celebrations in the area.

No Public Events or Activities
There are no organised public events or activities on the southern peninsula over the New Year period. Southern peninsula venues operating on New Year's Eve will only be accessible by people who have pre-purchased tickets.

No Alcohol in Public Places
Apply from 9.00pm December 30th to midnight January 1st. Possession of sealed and unsealed containers of liquor in public places is prohibited (unless sealed containers are being transported from point of sale to vehicle or private residence for consumption). Possession of any glass container while in a public place is prohibited.

No Camping
No camping is permitted in any public park or reserve, and all camping in permitted foreshore areas is fully booked.

No Fireworks
There are no public displays of fireworks on New Year's Eve. A person must not possess or discharge fireworks (fines apply). Discharge of flares is prohibited except in case of an emergency.

Fire Safety
People are reminded to be extremely vigilant of fires; and particularly to be fire safe on the peninsula. More information about fire safety can be found at: www.cfa.vic.gov.au or www.dse.vic.gov.au

Rye Carnival
The carnival will be closed on New Year's Eve (day and night).

Car Parking and Road Closures
The Rye Pier car park will be closed from approximately 4.00pm on New Year's Eve (or at Police discretion). Minor road closures are expected in Sorrento after the last ferry on New Year's Eve.

Emergency/Incident
In the event of an emergency call 000.

Bus Service - Portsea to Safety Beach
A free, one way bus service will operate from Portsea to Safety Beach. Pick up is available from Portsea Hotel, Sorrento Foreshore, Blairgowrie Shopping Centre and Rye foreshore to Marine Drive, Safety Beach. The buses will run from 9pm to 3am. Security will be onboard at all times.

Have a Safe New Year
For further information, contact the Mornington Peninsula Shire on: 1300 850 600 or 5950 1000.

Information on the web

Download pdf

With two new Giant Tube Slides, a kids only adventure activity course, the enchanted mazes and gardens and a thrilling 3D indoor maze, its endless fun at The Enchanted Maze these holidays. The very popular Tube Slide Rides have grown with the addition of two new 'straight' slides opening this summer. The new slides are longer and faster than the twisting slides but with less side to side movement they are just as safe for the little ones to enjoy. Also opening in the gardens is a forest adventure obstacle course for kids in amongst the beautiful giant trees and bush adventure land of the sculpture park. Hi Ho lets go!

Go to The Enchanted Maze website...

Amateur golfers, this is your opportunity to challenge yourself on three of the finest golf courses in Australia. The 2012 Mornington Peninsula 54 hole stableford tournament tees off at Portsea Golf Club, drives to RACV Cape Schanck and putts out at the magnificent National Golf Club from 1 - 3 May 2012.

Tournament Golf at Australia's Number One Golf Destination

The Mornington Peninsula will be on show to golfers across the country in May 2012 as the region prepares to host the third annual Mornington Peninsula 54 hole Tournament.
Commencing on May 1st, the field will be split into two, due to growing numbers, with one group playing Portsea on day one and the other group playing at RACV Cape Schanck.
On day two the groups will swap locations. The final round on May 3rd will be at The National Golf Club where winners and runner up in a host of categories will be decided. Entry to the tournament is an all inclusive price that incorporates golf, three lunches, trophies, the welcome party, a cart at The National and a bag of goodies that will showcase the region's attractions.
The tournament has been organised by the golf region's co-operative body, Mornington Peninsula Golf Tourism (MPGT) with support from major sponsors Schweppes and RACV Cape Schanck, as well as ADE Turf/Club Car, Tourism Victoria and the Mornington Peninsula Shire.
Golfers will play an individual Stableford event on each day as well as competing for the honour of the 54-hole title. Participants are being encouraged to explore the Mornington PeninsulaÂ’s many attractions and tee up at many of the regionÂ’s other fine golf courses.
MPGT President and Eagle Ridge General Manager Wayne Lucas is confident the Tournament will continue to build on the successes of previous year's. "Our region is well known for the number of quality golf courses, all within a short drive of each other and now we're providing the opportunity for visitors to play a tournament rather than just social golf. We're really looking forward to welcoming couples and groups of golfers from interstate," he said.
"We again have a mix of wonderful courses, a welcome party, a great tournament atmosphere and so many attractions for non golf partners or golf free days. Last year proved that as well as three great days of golf, this is a terrific opportunity for entrants to meet other golfers and take away some great memories".
Comments from last year's post tournament survey included:
'The entire extravaganza was terrific... already promoting next year's event with our club'
'...I intend to make this event an annual pilgrimage...'
'My thanks to all involved - committee and players alike, it was tremendous'.
Lucas knows from last year's experience that many golfers will extend their stay to enjoy some of the Peninsula's other fantastic courses. "The Mornington Peninsula has a unique offering of courses, ranging from coastal links to resort style layouts. You won't find a more diverse array of high quality golf courses anywhere in Australia. It's also such a beautiful place to enjoy a holiday".
This annual tournament has the potential to grow into one of Australia's most popular amateur competitions. The benefits will also flow on to all the Peninsula courses with increased visitation.
"We'd like to think golfers come for the tournament and then return in the near future with their friends and golf partners to enjoy the courses that they might have missed out on the first time".
This year's Mornington Peninsula 54 hole Tournament is expected to attract a capacity field from outside Victoria. MPGT is confident that three days of tournament golf will reaffirm the region's position as Australia's number one golf destination.

Entry is $315 per person - download the entry form for full tournament details.

Download the Entry form here

The Mornington Peninsula region has attained huge success at last nights RACV Victorian Tourism Awards. It is unprecedented for a single region to win so many awards in so many categories.
* Mornington Peninsula Tourism was inducted into the Hall of Fame for winning in the category Specialised Tourism Services for the third year in a row!
* Peninsula Hot Springs won the Health and Wellness Tourism category outright and won a Finalist award in the Attractions category;
* The Enchanted Maze Gardens won the New Product Development category outright and won a Finalist award in the Attractions category and a Finalist award in the Adventure Tourism category;
* Moonraker Dolphin Swims won the Ecotourism category outright; Moonlit Sanctuary won a Finalist award in this category too;
* Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove won the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries category;
* Max's at Red Hill Estate won the Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services category outright;
* Big Blue Backyard won the Hosted accommodation category outright;
* Blue Moon Cottages won the Standard accommodation category outright;
* Quest Apartments Frankston won a Finalist award in the Deluxe Accommodation category;
* Frankston Visitor Centre won a Finalist award in the Visitor Information Centre category.

It takes a lot of work and attention to detail to prepare an Awards submission, and this is recognition of the quality of the tourism offering in across the region. Each submission is a reflection of the fact that these businesses are all embracing best practice management.
The outright winners of each of the categories will compete against winners from each State on the national stage next March for a potential win at the Australian Tourism Awards.

We have finished kidding and most of our kids are now weaned. There is a lovely little herd of young ones in the paddock next to the cheesery.

See the Main Ridge Dairy Website

Win two season tickets to JBWere Masters Melbourne, 13-18 December 2011, by simply subscribing to the Mornington Peninsula Tourism golf database. You will be kept informed about all golf news, events, deals and packages on the Mornington Peninsula.

Hurry, this competition is only open for a limited time.

For your chance to win click the link and fill in your details before November 12, 2011.

Feel free to send this to as many golfing buddies as you like! Just remind them that they have to take you if they winÂ…

Click here to enter - Hurry entries close 12 November 2011

11th – 16th NOVEMBER 2012

ROSEBUD COUNTRY CLUB, THE DUNES GOLF LINKS, MOONAH LINKS, THE NATIONAL GOLF CLUB.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

The Jayco Herald Sun Tour rides into the Mornington Peninsula on Saturday 15 October. Starting in Sorrento and then touring through the the region to end up on Arthurs Seat with a fun village atmosphere.

You can take your own tour of the region following in the footsteps, or rather wheels, of the cyclists... Use the Tour Map for the region and the accompanying notes to discover everything the Mornington Peninsula has to offer.

Now in its 59th year, Australia's oldest stage race, the Jayco Herald Sun Tour will take place from Wednesday, 12 to Sunday, 16 October navigating some of the most picturesque parts of Victoria, including the Queen Stage of the Tour in MorningtonÂ’s own Peninsula.

The stakes are high with the proÂ’s vying on the final day of Road Racing for the yellow leaderÂ’s jersey. Starting in SorrentoÂ’s Main Street, families and fans alike can enjoy the cycling festival of community activities on offer. In the start village, take the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the worldÂ’s best cyclists, including past and present Tour de France riders before they set off to race their way around the scenic Mornington Peninsula route.

A long flat ride along the beach will warm up the riders before their first of three grueling ascents of Arthurs Seat. Make your way up the mountain and cheer on your favourite riders as they finish atop Arthurs Seat then soak up the finish village festivities which will include the Bike Village Expo for fanatics as well as great activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Tour Route (Road Race)

Wed 12 Oct Stage 1 Whittlesea to Ballarat
Thu 13 Oct Stage 2 Ballarat to Geelong
Fri 14 Oct Stage 3 Geelong to Bellarine Peninsula Sat 15 Oct Stage 4 Sorrento to Arthur's Seat
Sun 16 Oct Stage 5 Melbourne (Circuit Race)

Jayco Herald Sun Tour - Mornington Peninsula Stage

Friday 14 October @ 7pm
Projection art installation and music.
This is a free public family event presented in association with promerginglivearts and Sorrento Portsea Chamber of Commerce.

With an after party at the Conti Nightclub (free entry)

Visit the facebook page

See the poster...

Spring brings an exciting breath of fresh and creative air to the Mornington Peninsula. Join us for fabulous festivals, exhibitions, food and wine right across the entire region. The October Art Food Wine program features many great activities, events and accommodation packages designed to help you embrace the change in the season. Come and meet some traditional and whimsical scarecrows in the Scarecrow Festival, 'Live the Life' in Sorrento, and taste your way through Pinot Week.

Click here to view the current OCTOBER ART FOOD WINE program

Ten Minutes by Tractor; Montalto; La Petanque; The Long Table; Port Phillip Estate

Full annoucement details - click here

On 22nd August a panel of wine industry professionals confirmed something many of us had known for a while now, that Mike Aylward is a "Young Gun" by announcing him as the winner of the 2011 Young Guns of Wine Festival.
This is the 5th annual Festival, brainchild of the engaging wine promotions 'man about town', Rory Kent. The judging panel comprised of Chief Judge Nick Stock, fellow wine writers Max Allen and Philip Rich, along with last yearÂ’s winner, winemaker Rollo Crittenden.
Mike has been a finalist for the past 3 years so was it a case of 4th time lucky? or that the last few years have confirmed him as a winemaker of great talent and purpose, now with a significant body of work?
I met Mike in the late 1990s before he was of legal drinking age when his devoted and now extremely proud parents, Gail and Chris, entered the wine business with the establishment of a vineyard and winery on the Mornington Peninsula. This operation became known as Kooyong and is now one of the most highly acclaimed wineries in the country. Mike served an apprenticeship here in the vineyard, the winery and on the road promoting and selling until Kooyong was sold in 2004.
By now Mike had well and truly caught the wine bug and with the support and partnership of Gail and Chris, a few study trips to Europe sharing some fine bottles and some promising but ultimately frustrating rounds of golf and voila Ocean Eight was created.
MikeÂ’s decision to showcase the true cool climate of the Mornington Peninsula has been vindicated although with drought and heatwave conditions some recent vintages have tested his resolve but Mike has stood true to his convictions. DonÂ’t worry however, as the 2011 vintage was cool and wet, just ideal for making the style of wine Mike loves.
Ably assisted in the vineyard by Luke OÂ’Connor, Mike has been able to grow healthy, concentrated grapes and convert them into fragrant and structured wines that are just fabulous with food. Out of the winery at all times and in the winery between maternal obligations Mike has been totally supported by his devoted wife, Hollie.
Ocean Eight currently has the following wines available for sale; 2010 Pinot Gris, 2009 'Verve' Chardonnay, 2009 Pinot Noir and 2008 'Aylward' Pinot Noir.
The whites will change to more recent vintages over the next couple of months.
The wine is sold through selected retail outlets and primarily to fine restaurants and bistros throughout Australia and the United Kingdom. Please contact Mike for details of specific wholesale suppliers in each state. Ocean Eight also maintains a cellar door that opens in the first weekend of each month, commencing in October.
Finally it has been my absolute pleasure working with Mike over the past 15 years or so. I am very happy that his talent and dedication has been recognised by highly respected professionals in this industry.
Grant Van Every
August 2011

Ocean Eight is named after a challenging golf hole at 'The National Golf Club' on the Mornington Peninsula.

View the Ocean Eight page - Click Here

Full Media Release - Download Here

Fly into Melbourne with Jetstar and escape with ease to the Mornington Peninsula! or Yarra Valley, or Great Ocean Road... Amazing packages and itinerary options are available now online!

Click here to find great itineraries and deals

Winter: a warm, wonderful world of wine, food and indulgence on the Mornington Peninsula. Come and experience 'Winter Indulgence' from June to August.

The Mornington Peninsula is beautiful in summer, but itÂ’s simply magnificent in winter when the wine, food and hospitality community pull out the corks, whip up seasonal delights and reveal their culinary secrets during Winter Indulgence from June to August 2011.

And with invigorating cliff top walks, deserted beaches, year-round golf and cheerful open fires at country retreats and B&Bs, this is a wonderful time of year to visit for a weekend or take a short break.

Come laze by the fire, sip warming red wines and savour slow cooked regional food.

With winter inspired events and accommodation package options youÂ’re sure to find the perfect spot to warm up and relax.

Click here to view the current Winter Indulgence program

Friday 27 May, 2011
How could you resist?
The Mornington Peninsula tempts you with simply delicious discoveries at our restaurants, cafes and cellar doors. Come and enjoy a meal full of bountiful local produce at one of the following businesses - select your choice from one of the specially designed mouthwatering menus, then make your booking.

Classic Lunches Website

Congratulations to Peninsula Hot Springs for being selected as a "National Tourism Treasure" in the Traveller magazine, recently distributed in The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald.

It was great to have the Mornington Peninsula included in this selection of the memorable and great national tourism experiences.

Click here to read the full article titled "Mornington Glory"

Intimate dinners, magical entertainment, white sandy beaches for moonlit strolls and warm mineral bathing under the stars .... It is one of the most romantic destinations in Victoria so why not express your love or rekindle your romance on the Mornington Peninsula this Valentine's weekend. We have exquisite suites, intimate dinners, magical entertainment, beautiful gifts and white sandy beaches for moonlit strolls.

And if you're seeking the perfect place to say 'marry me', there are grand gardens, remote clifftops, deserted ocean beaches and bird-filled bushlands.

Valentine's Day Packages on Mornington Peninsula

Tempt your tastebuds with these two 'deliciously sweet' Mornington Peninsula passes available to purchase now:

A DELICIOUS DAY OUT:
Take a delicious day out at 3 great Mornington Peninsula venues. Pick fresh strawberries at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, indulge in Morning/Afternoon Tea at Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens (including entry to the gardens), enjoy a 2 course lunch with a glass of wine at Box Stallion Winery.
Cost:$85 per person


SWEET DELIGHTS:
Enjoy a fragrant lunch at Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens (including garden entry) then journey to Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm for your heavenly dessert.
Cost: $35 per person

BOTH PASSES ARE VALID: 1 Feb 2011 to 30 April 2011

Click here to purchase your 'Delicious Day Out' and 'Sweet Delights' e-passes

Use one of these great itineraries to explore the Mornington Peninsula on your own self drive adventure.

Download Itineraries Here