Time for two in Flinders...
Anovernightitineraryforcoupleswhowanttoslowdown, reconnect,exploreandexperienceavillagefulloflocal character. Expectcoastalwalks,localproduce,cliffsideviews andplentyofmemorablemomentsalongtheway.
Just90minutesfromMelbourne,Flindersiswhereweekendsfeel longer,andsmallmomentsgofurther.LocatedonBunurong Country,thiscoastalvillagecombinestheverybestofrugged coastline,hinterlandandalaid-backlifestylemakingitanideal baseforaminiescape.
FlinderssitsquietlyatthesouthernendoftheMornington Peninsula.Ithasitsownpace,welcomingandfullofsmall surprises.You’llfindeverythingcloseby:greatfood,quiet beaches,cliffwalks,galleriesandwineries.Onceyou’vevisited, you’llwonderwhyyoudidn’tcomesooner.
www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/ExploreFlinders
PlanningyourtriptoFlinders
Evenbeforeyou’veunpackedyourovernightbag,gettingtoFlindersalreadyfeelslikepartoftheadventure.
ComingfromMelbourne
OneofthebestthingsaboutFlindersishowcloseitistoMelbourne. Themostdirectroutetakesyoualongtollroads,butit’softenthe fastestwaytoswaptrafficforrollinghillsandseaair.
HeaddowntheM1,thenEastlink(M3)andfollowthe Mornington PeninsulaFreeway(M11)towardPortsea.
TakeExit19forC784towardBalnarring.
FollowthesignsthroughOldMoorooducRoad,BalnarringRoad, TubbarubbaRoadandMerricksRoad,beforecruisingintoFlinders andontoCookStreetviaFrankston–FlindersRoad(C777).
TravelTime:Allow1.5hoursforthe100kmtripbutgiveyourself2hours duringpeaktimes.There’snoneedtorush.
ComingviaQueenscliff,takethescenicroute
Ifyou’reontheBellarineside,considerstartingyourweekendwitha ferryride.SearoadFerriesrunsbetweenQueenscliffandSorrento hourlybetween7amand6pm,everydayoftheyear.
Settleinonthedeckorgrabawindowseatandsoakintheviews.
OnceyoudockinSorrento,takethe14kmcoastaldrivealongPoint NepeanRoad,thenturnrightontoBoneoRoad(C777).Fromthere, Flindersisjust22minutesaway.
Ferrytip:Keepaneyeoutfordolphinsduringyourseajourney.
Traveltime:Approx.1hourcrossing,plus40–45minutesdriving.
PlanaPauseStop
Turnyourroadtripintopartoftheholiday.Breakupthedrivewithaquickwalk,acoffee,orabreathoffreshair.
Greatplacestostopinclude:
FrankstonVisitorInformationCentre–grabamap,stretchyour legs.
MorningtonPeninsulaVisitorInformationCentre–beachfront viewsandhelpfullocals.
SorrentoVisitorCentre–perfectifyou’recomingofftheferry. OrcheckoutthefulllistofofficialPauseStopsat: https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/pausestop
.
Day1 Morning
Village vibes & coffee stops
Arrivemid-morningandeaseintothedaywithastrollalongCook Street,theheartofFlindersandyourhomebaseforthenexttwodays. Onceafishingvillageandtradingpost,Flindersstillcarriesechoesof itspastinitsheritagebuildingsandeasypace,thoughthesedays, you'remorelikelytofindcoffeethancargo.
Flinders Sourdough
58CookStreet,Flinders FridaytoSunday 9amto3pm
StartwithacoffeefromFlindersSourdough,brewedwithlocally roastedLittleRebelbeans.Ifyouhaven’thadbreakfastyet(orjustfeel likeasecondbreakfast),givein.TheBeachBunsarealocalfavourite andthesausagerollshitthespotifyou'reaftersomethingsavoury. Pickupaloaforsomefreshrollsforyourpicniclater—you’llthank yourselfatlunch.
Then,exploreManyungGalleryforrotatingexhibitionsorvisitCook StreetCollectivetoseeworksbylocalartistsandmakers.Don'tmiss theNookatFlinders,abeautifullycuratedstorewithgifts,books, homewaresandlovelythingsyoudidn’tknowyouneeded.
Allow2hourstoexplore,sip,browseandstockupbeforeheading toyourlunchspot.
Manyung Gallery
Shop1/37CookStreet,Flinders
Tuesday11amto5pm Thursdayto Sunday 10amto5pm
Onyourway,collecteverythingyouneedforyourpicniclunch:
Localcheese,crackersandproducefromFlindersGeneralStore. ABacon,tomatofetatartetatin,orbaguettefromPierProvedore. SweettreatsfromtheMorningtonPeninsulaChocolaterie&Ice Creamery. Somethingtosipon.TryabottlefromTar&Rosesor Plonkand Stink.
Nook at Flinders
1/52 CookStreet,Flinders 7days 10amto3pm. Hoursvarydaily
Day1Lunch
Picnic with a postcard view
Nowthatyou’vecollectedyourpicnicsupplies,it’stimetofindTHEspot. Flindersdeliversplentyofscenicoptions,butifyouwanttheWOWfactor headforoneoftheviewingplatformsalongsideFlindersGolfCourseon GolfLinksRoad.Fromhere,you’llhavethefairwaysbehindyou,crashing surfandthelayeredbeautyofMushroomReefrightinfrontofyou.
Atlowtide,thereefmateriliseswithitsnamesakemushroomshapeonfull display,astunningnaturalfeatureyouwon’tforget.
Unpacktheblanket,uncorkthewineandsettlein.Theocean’ssoundtrack? Included,andlunchalwaystastesbetterwiththesaltyseaairandnoset agenda.
Allowaround2hourstosoakitallin,youwon’twanttoleaveinahurry.
SustainabilityTip:Packyourownpicnicrug,keepcupandreusable containers.Takeyourrubbishwithyou.It’saneasywaytoenjoyFlinders whilekeepingyourfootprintlight.
Othergreatpicniclocations:
WestheadLookout(overlookingthepier)
FlindersBlowhole
CookStreetPark
CairnsBay
Preferdiningin:
PierProvedore–Localproduce,pantrytreats,dine-inortakeaway
TheVillageCafé–Casualcomfortfoodwitharelaxedvibe
FlindersHotel–Bistrostyledining,open7days
Pho@Flinders–Vietnamesefavourites,openFritoSun
Day1Afternoon
By the coast
Afterlunch,thecoastisyourstoexplore.Thispartofthedayisleft intentionallyopensoyoucanchoosewhatfeelsright.
FlindersPier
Beginwithawanderalongthe327-metretimberpier,beginningatthe historicCargoShedanditssmallweekendmaritimedisplay.Youmight spotHarryfromFlindersMusselssellingfreshcatchstraightfromhis boatorvan.
Belowthesurface,thepierisasnorkeller’sfavourite,especiallyatlow tide-lookforweedyseadragons,rays,andmore.
Tip:Callaheadorchecksocialsformusselsordivetours with TheScubaDoctor.
MushroomReefMarineSanctuary
Justashortwalkordriveaway,MushroomReefMarineSanctuaryis bestexploredatlowtide.Thereefstretchesoutlikeitsnamesake, formingnaturalrockpoolsfullofcrabs,seastars,anemonesandtiny fish.
Flinders Pier
TheEsplanade,Flinders Opendaily
Weather Tip: Plan around tide timesandwindconditions.
MindfulTip:Leaveshells,creaturesandrocksundisturbed, photosmakethebestsouvenirs.
Surf,SUPorSandBetweenYourToes
ExperiencedsurferscantakeonthereefbreaksatFlinders,while beginnerswillfeelathomeatnearbyPointLeoorShorehamwith gentlerwavesandsurfschools
Prefersomethingcalmer?Onstilldays,thewatersnearFlindersPierare perfectforstand-uppaddleboarding,orskipthegearandenjoya barefootbeachstroll.
Allow2to3hours,dependingonyouractivity.
Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary
FlindersOceanBeachEntry Road, Flinders
6minutedrivefrom CookStreet
East Coast
Surf School
PointLeoRoad,PointLeo
13mindrivefromFlinders
Day1Evening
Stay local, stay close
Check-in:
Afterabigdayoutcheckintoyouraccommodationandrelax.Motel Flindersisrecentlyrenovatedandashortwalkfromthevillage.Your KingRoomhasretrovibeswithmoderncomforts,completewitha balconyorprivatecourtyardperfectforapre-dinnerunwind.
Otherplacestostay
Motel Flinders
32CookStreet,Flinders
From$189pernight
QuartersFlinders-Hotel-styleaccommodationatthehistoric FlindersHotel.
Airbnb - Bookalocalholidayhome,there’sagreatrangeinand aroundthevillage.
Drinksatdusk:
Foralaid-backaperitif,strollovertoPlonkandStink.Arelaxed,stylish venueherehandpickedwine,spiritsandcheesecomewithstreet viewsandawarmlocalatmosphere.
Dinner:
DinnerissortedatFlindersHotelwithafocusonfresh,seasonal produceandlocalseafood.Theatmosphereiswarm,theservings generousandthedrinkslistpackedwithregionaldrops.
Suggesteddishes:lambribs,tomatosalad,scallops.
ChecktheirWhat’sOnpageforlivemusic,specialsandevents.
Plonk and Stink
37CookStreet,Flinders
ThursdaytoSunday
3pmto8pm
Nodrivingneededtonight,everythingiswalkable.
Alternativediningoptions:
MokeDining$$$(Chef-hatted,openThurstoSatdinner;Sat&Sunlunch)
TheVillageCafé&WineBar$(ThurstoSatdinner,livemusicsome Sundays)
Pho@Flinders$(FritoSun)
Flinders Hotel
23CookStreet,Flinders
SundaytoThursday 11amto9pm
FridaytoSaturday11amto11pm
Mealsfrom$29
Day2Morning
A
slow start
There’snorushthismorningsoenjoyaslowstartinyourroom.Ifyou’refeeling energetic,takealightwalkorjogaroundFlindersbeforebreakfast.Thequiet,treelinedstreetsmakeapeacefulstarttoyourfinalday.
BreakfastatTheVillageCafé
Justafewminutes’walkfromyouraccommodationTheVillageCafé,isyour breakfastdestination.Grabatableinsideoroutandenjoyarelaxedbreakfast madewithlocalproduceandagoodcoffeetomatch.Themenucaterstoboth thesweetandsavourywithfluffypancakes,free-rangeeggsand generous servingswithafriendlylocalfeel.
Allow1hourforarelaxedbreakfastandlocalconversation.
MindfulTip:Setyouralarmearly.SunriseinFlindersissomethingelse entirely-calm,goldenandjustforyou!
Coastal highlights
Today’sdrivetakesyousouthalongsomeofthemostdramaticcoastlineonthe Peninsula.Thesearen’tswimmingbeaches,they’rewild,ruggedandmadeforviewing.
Stop1:TheBlowhole
JustoffBoneoRoad(oppositeRazorbackRoad),theFlindersBlowholelookoutisashort walkviaboardwalkandstairs.You’llberewardedwithsweepingviewsofBassStraitand wavescrashingnearElephantRock.
KeepaneyeoutforbirdlifeonLittleBirdRock,orevenaseaeagleoverhead.
Rocksnearthewatercanbeslipperyandwavesunpredictable.
Parkingislimited,withashortwalktotheviewingpoint.
Day2Morningcont...
Stop2:CairnsBay
AlocalgembetweenPunchbowlandKeysRoad,CairnsBayiswellworththewalk. Searchfor"TeaTreeCreek&CairnsBayWalk"tofindthesmallroadsidecarpark justfiveminutesfromTheBlowholeandfollowthe600mtrackintoMornington PeninsulaNationalPark.
Thepathismostlygentleandsurroundedbyfarmland,butexpectsomesteep sectionsasyoumakeyourwaydowntothebeach.Onceatthebeach,headleft acrosstherocksoralongthenarrowdirtpathbehindthem.
Tip:Weargoodshoes.Therocksarelargebutmanageableandtheviewsare worththeeffort.
Bestvisitedafterrainorincoolermonthswhenthecreekflowsandyou chanceseeingthewaterfall.
Stop3:CapeSchanckLighthouseReserve
Ashort10-minutedrivefromCairnsBaytakesyoutoCapeSchanck.Explore boardwalkswithsweepingviews,visitthelighthouseandmuseum(open weekends),ortacklethe5.4kmreturnwalktoBushrangersBayifyou’rekeento stretchyourlegs.
Whalesightingsarepossibleinwinterandspringsokeepyoureyesonthewater.
Fromhere,it’sa13-minutedrive(11.8km)toyourlunchdestinationatNazaaray Estate.
Don’tforgetyourcameratoday,theInstagrammableshotsareendless.
Allow2.5to3hoursforyourmorningcoastaladventure,dependingonhowlong youstayateachlocation.
Day2Lunch Flavours with a view
Afteramorningofcoastaldiscovery,headinlandto NazaarayEstate,justa13-minutedrivefromCapeSchanck. Thejourneyitselfsetsthetonealongtreelinedroads,rolling pasturesanddustflyingbehindyou.
NazaarayisoneoftheMorningtonPeninsula’smostunique cellardoors.Theestate’srelaxedatmosphereismatchedby bigskies,generoushospitalityandamenuthatbrings togetherIndianspiceswithcool-climatewine.
Startwithaseatedtastingoffiveestate-grownwines,then stayforlunch.TheirIndianfusionplateschangeseasonally butmightincludespicedchickenskewers,paneertikka, samosasorslow-cookedlamb.
Allow2hourstosip,savourandexploreatyourownpace
Seatedwinetasting$15pp
IndianFusionPlates$30perplate,checkavailability
Nazaaray Estate
266MeakinsRoad,Flinders
SaturdayandSunday
11am-4pm
Prefertostayclosertotown?Ifyou'renotheadinginland,grab lunchwithaviewattheFlindersGolfClubBistro,whichoffersclassic mealswithoneofthebestoceanoutlooksonthePeninsula.It’sopen sevendays.
Day2Afternoon
One last experience - you pick
Beforeheadinghome,spendyourfinalafternoonenjoyingonemoreFlinders highlight.
FlindersGolfClub
Ifyou’vepackedyourclubs,thisistheplace tousethem.FlindersGolfClubisperched alongthecliffswithsweepingviewsof WesternPortandBassStrait.It’soneofthe oldestcoursesinVictoria,andalsooneof themostscenic,thoughdon’tlettheview distractyoufromthebunkers,windandthe infamousravines(knownas‘coffins’)onthe 4thhole. Mostplayersallow4hoursfor18holes.
AshcombeMaze&LavenderGardens
InnearbyShoreham,ifyou’reupforabitof playfulwandering,headtoAshcombeMaze, justa10-minutedrivefromFlinders(7.6km). Withtwohedgemazes,alavendermaze andwoodlandgardenstoexplore,it’seasy tospendanhourortwoexploring,together orcompetitively.
Flinders Golf Club
BassStreet,Flinders
Open7days
Varioustimes
GreenFees$75-$95perperson
Allow1.5to2hourstogetlostinthemaze andgardens.
Ashcombe Maze& Lavender Gardens
15ShorehamRd,Shoreham
Thursday-Monday
10am-5pm
Entryis$20perperson
FlindersFinishers
Stay longer with more inspiration
LeaveFlinderswithsandyshoes,somethingdeliciousinyourbagandplanstoreturn.
Butifyou’renotquitereadytogo...Hereareafewfinalwaystofinishyourescape,withalittle extraflavourandacreativedetour.
StretchyourlegsontheGreensBushtoHighfieldWalkingTrack,quiet,scenicandfullof birdsongandwildlife.
Visitinginwinter?JoinaFlindersTruffleshuntanduncovertheregion’sseasonalsecret.
Takethescenicroutehome.ThedrivealongcountryroadsaroundFlindersisnottobe missed.MuskCreekRoad(pictured)isalocalfavourite.
Takehomeataste,stopbyafarmgateforlocalproduce,chocolatierforsweets,cellar doorforwineorFlindersMussels.
PlanyourtripwithvillageeventslikeFlindersFringeFestival,PiersandPinotsortheFlinders MotoringHeritageShow,perfectexcusesforareturnvisit.
Pt. Leo Estate
Sculpture Park
3649Frankston-FlindersRoad, Merricks
OpenDaily11amto5pm
Strollamonglargescaleart setagainstoceanand vineyardviews.
11mins-8.3km
Everywhen Art at Whistlewood
642TucksRoad,Shoreham FridaytoSunday
PresentingFirstNations artworksandselectworksby AustralianArtists
10mins-7.9km
Flinders Mussels
TheEsplanade,Flinders VariousOpenDays Checksocialsorcall.
Grownjustoffshoreand availablefreshwhenin season.CheckforHarry’svan atthepier.
MoreExperiences
Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie
45CookStreet,Flinders
OpenDaily
9am-5pm
Handcraftedchocolates, creamyscoopsandsweet treatsworththestop.
38CookStreet,Flinders
OpenDaily 7am-3pm
Coffee,delicabinetandpantry goods.Easy,localand delicious.
Flinders General Store
48CookStreet,Flinders
Opendaily 7am-7pm
Oldschoolcharmandaone stopshopforessentials,local produceandwine.
38BCookStreet,Flinders
OpenFridaytoSunday
Varioushours
Vietnamesecomfortfood servedwithlocalloveand seriousflavour.
60CookStreet,Flinders
OpenThursday-Sunday Varioushours
Chef-hatteddiningandlocal producetuckedintothevery heartofFlinders.
2/41CookStreet,Flinders
OpenFriday-Monday 10amto4pm
Agalleryforlocalartistswith stories,colourandcraftonfull display.
Pier Provedore
Pho @ Flinders
Cook Street Collective
Moke
SeeYouSoon in Flinders...
WelookforwardtowelcomingyoutoFlindersforyourovernightescape.A placetoreconnectwithnature, goodcompanyandwithtimeitself.
NeedMoreInfo?
MorningtonPeninsulaVisitorInformationCentre
info@tourism.mornpen.vic.gov.au (03)59501579
359BPointNepeanRoad,DromanaVIC3936 www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/ExploreFlinders
Onyourwayhome,don’tforgettotakeitslow.Refreshandrechargeevery twohoursandlookoutforadesignated#pausestopalongtheway.
Shareyourfavouritemomentsbytagging#LivetheLocalExperienceand letusknowwhatyouloved.Follow@mornpenvisitorcentreformorelocal tipsandinspirationforyournextvisit.
