Open for Business in the Peninsula

There is a further easing of restrictions by the Victorian Government beginning on 1st June 2020. You will be able to stay in tourist accommodation like ours! The Beach Club cottages now accept bookings. However, the Beach Club communal BBQ and laundry must remain closed.

You can visit the Mornington Peninsula now!

We will continue to update the following list of places which are Open for Business. Social distancing rules still apply, see the Government website for more details.

Public Places & Parks

  • Beaches – Open!
  • Playgrounds and Skateparks – Open!
  • National Parks – Open except for the Point Nepean National Park and its visitor centre.
  • Fishing from boats, piers and beaches – Allowed!
  • Diving from the Rye pier – Allowed! See the popular octopus garden.

Enchanted Adventure Garden

Peninsula Hot Springs

  • Bath House bathing and café will re-open from Sunday 7th June 2020 at noon
  • Spa Dreaming Centre bathing, spa and café will re-open  from Friday 12th June 2020
  • Essential information before visiting, advanced booking is necessary, and information on our stay and bath package.
  • What to expect at the reopening of the Hot Springs.
Bathing at the Peninsula Hot Springs
Bathing at the Peninsula Hot Springs

Wineries and Restaurants

  • Pt Leo Estate – Restaurant and cellar doors opens from 1st June 2020.
  • St Andrews Beach Brewery – Restaurant opens from 1st June 2020 through booking only.
  • Crittenden Estate – Restaurant opens from 3rd June 2020.
  • Trofeo Estate – New wine room now opens for tastings.
  • Hotel Sorrento – Open from 4th June 2020.
  • Dromana Estate – Open for wine tasting on weekends 12-3pm.
  • Foxeys Hangout Winery – Open for wine sales and take-home food 11am–5pm Fri–Sat–Sun-Mon. Sit-down lunches start Monday 1st June.
  • Paringa Estate – Open on Saturday & Sundays from 11am-5pm for wine tasting, maximum 30 minutes. Wear very warm clothes for your visit. Bookings recommended.
  • Green Olives at Red Hill – Open for dine-in tapas and wine from Wednesday 3rd June.
  • Montalto Vineyard – Restaurant opens from 6th June on weekends only. Wine sales, “Heat and Eat” pizzas available for take away.
  • The Vanilla Slice Cafe – Open for take away.
  • Sisco Pizza Restaurant– 800m from the Dolphin and Starfish, opens Wed – Sunday for takeaway pick up.
  • Two Bouys – Open for take away, Winter Wine Weekends scheduled on 6-7th June.

Cinema

Dromana 3 Drive In Cinema
Dromana 3 Drive In Cinema

Golf

More to come, please stay tuned!

Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

 

Bruschetta Tomato Basil Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil Green Olive at Red Hill
Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil made with the cold pressed extra virgin olive oil from The Green Olive at Red Hill

The Mornington Peninsula has long been known as our food bowl. Although some of their produce could be found in good Melbourne stores, visiting the farms, meeting the farmers could be a great trip and certainly an experience to share.

Over fifteen years Greg and Sue O’Donoghue have been cultivating their farm in Red Hill. They established a vineyard; built a farm kitchen and store; launched farm classes, tours and tastings; created their own farm brand of food, cordials and wines, which is now known as the Green Olive at Red Hill.

Green Olive at Red Hill Sunny Day Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Enjoy a sunny day in the outdoor seating area of The Green Olive at Red Hill. Photo credit: visitmorningtonpeninsula.org

During my wine tasting tour in the Red Hill and Main Ridge region, I always make Green Olive my last stop. Imagine a sunny day, 3pm in the afternoon, after a great meal and lots of tasting nearby, stopover and relax at their vineyard; soak in the sun, enjoy a great cup of coffee and a piece of dessert, kids have fun jumping on their trampoline, perfect!

Green Olive at Red Hill Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The Green Olive at Red Hill Shop, great food, coffee, tea, produce and wine.

Last but not least, get their cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Here is a simple recipe with this olive oil which you can prepare at our cottage, after visiting the vineyard.

Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Make 8 pieces as appetiser

Ingredients
2 ripe small tomatoes, seeded
1 garlic clove
1 tbs of extra olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
8 basil leaves, tear into small pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
Baguette French bread
Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil for drizzle

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180c
2. Dice the seeded tomatoes into small cubes, mix with 1 tbs of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, salt and pepper to taste
3. Slice the Baguette on diagonal making 1.5cm thick slices, sprinkle with dash of sea salt, drizzle with olive oil
4. Toast the baguette slices about 6 mins or until lightly brown, while it is still hot, rub one side of each slice with garlic
5. Top the baguette slice with tomato mixture, lightly drizzle each slice with olive oil. Serve while still warm.

I would pair this dish with a local pinot or rosé.

Thanks for reading!