The Southeast - Audley Travel

Beach huts on the Mornington PeninsulaMelbourne SurroundsTravel out in any direction from Melbourne andyou can be assured of spectacular scenery, anabundance of wildlife and numerous small,welcoming towns. The area is best explored aspart of a self-drive trip and a good selection ofsmall character guesthouses and B&Bs allows youto break the journey up and drive around at aleisurely pace. Alternatively, a few places can bevisited as part of a day trip from Melbourne.Mornington PeninsulaTwo glittering bays flank the Mornington Peninsulaas it pushes out into the mighty Southern Ocean.Fertile hills and lavender farms roll down to acoast lined with beautiful beaches and tranquilharbours. Less than an hour’s drive fromMelbourne, Mornington’s laid-back lifestyle hasattracted many chefs and wine makers, creating anunexpected gastronomic haven. The region is alsoa retreat for artists and has an unmistakablycreative buzz. The land has inspired some of thecountry’s best-known painters, while regular craftmarkets, especially at Red Hill, showcase those atwork today. At the tip of the peninsula, Sorrentois a historic town acclaimed for its fine buildings,excellent eateries and colourful galleries. Thenearby ferry at Portsea connects to the GreatOcean Road and is a great diversion from themain highway.22Woodman Estate, MoorooducWoodman Estate, Moorooduc,Mornington PeninsulaThis gracious country hotel is set amid an expanseof bush and rolling pastures and overlooks a quietlake. Guests can choose to stay in a spaciouslakeside chalet or a more classical room in themain house. The wonderful restaurant has beenacclaimed by Victoria’s ‘The Age Good FoodGuide’. Dining is anything but conventional though,and guests are encouraged to walk through thegardens to the lake between courses.Glen Isla Homestead, CowesPhillip IslandTiny Phillip Island provides a delightful diversion onyour coastal journey and is famous for its nightlypenguin parade. Each day at sunset dozens of littlepenguins emerge from the ocean at SummerlandBeach and shuffle through the spiky, clumpy grassto their nests. The island is a great place to seemany other forms of wildlife as well: shearwatersfly annually between here and Alaska, seals cavortaround the rocks at The Nobbies and koalas canbe seen at the conservation centre. Along therugged southern coastline facing Bass Strait youwill find roaring surf beaches and every morningthe pelicans are fed at San Remo in a display ofleaps, flutters and squabbles. The main town,Cowes, makes a good stop for lunch and offers arange of lively restaurants specialising in freshlobster and shellfish.Glen Isla Homestead, CowesIdeally located on a pristine sandy beach, Glen IslaHomestead is a mile from Cowes and tenminutes’ drive from Summerland Beach, with itsnightly penguin parade. Set in the grounds of thishistoric homestead are six spacious and elegantlyfurnished guest rooms, each offering moderncomforts and private verandas with gloriousgarden vistas. The main homestead is surroundedby a shady deck where your hosts serve breakfastevery day.