the choice

The Mornington Peninsula has been captivating visitors for more than 100 years and there is still no doubt why the region is such a popular year-round destination. The area is well known as an wonderful place to live, an attractive region in which to invest and a fascinating area to explore.

a great place to live

Many people are attracted to the Mornington Peninsula by the lifestyle - a blend of country seaside living in easy reach to shopping and only a stone's throw from city life.

The Mornington Peninsula offers residents a network of towns and villages in which to settle, each with a distinctive character from the thriving township of Mornington to the sleepy hollow of Flinders or the seaside village of Sorrento.

Residential construction is booming on the Peninsula, significant areas of residential growth include Mornington East, Mount Martha, Somerville, Dromana, Rosebud and Hastings. New residents are attracted not only by the great lifestyle opportunities but also the easy access to regional centres including Frankston, Dandenong and Cranbourne and the growing number of job opportunities in Melbourne's south east growth corridor.

easy to reach

The improvement of road infrastructure has meant the Peninsula is much more accessible, bringing most areas of Melbourne within commuting distance and providing a link to the Dandenong area. Travelling times to the city have been considerably reduced to around 70 minutes from Rosebud.

Gone are the days of bumper-to-bumper traffic along Nepean Highway as summer vacationers jostle their way to the Peninsula's beaches. The Mornington Peninsula is connected to Melbourne by a network of major roads and freeways, with the new Mornington Peninsula freeway cutting travelling time from Mornington to Rosebud to just 20 minutes.

a robust economy

A strong population growth ensures the Mornington Peninsula has both a substantial local market and a pool of highly skilled and experienced workers. Of the workers living on the Mornington Peninsula, three out of four choose to work either within the region or in neighbouring regions such as Frankston and Greater Dandenong.

Small businesses are well catered to on the Peninsula, with the local council keen to work with investors to provide assistance and advice.

The Mornington Peninsula can accommodate new industry development without detracting from its unique natural attractions. The Western Port region has a substantial supply of light industrial, serviced land with road and rail links to Melbourne's existing industrial and manufacturing centres.

The Western Port waterways boast major deep water port facilities, including Victoria's largest bulk liquid cargo port. The Hastings port facility has many significant competitive advantages - shorter steaming times (especially compared to the inland Port of Melbourne), sheltered anchorages, deep water channels and readily developed land. Major industries to already reap the benefits of this facility include BHP's Western Port steelworks, the Esso-BHP Gas Fractionation Plant and the Whitemark Petrol Storage and Distribution facility.

A mild climate, high and well distributed rainfall, a variety of good soils and ready access to market have combined to make the Peninsula a major farming area. The Peninsula produces millions of dollars worth of fruit and vegetables each year and vineyards are an increasingly important industry gaining world-wide recognition.

melbourne 's natural playground

Of course, the Mornington Peninsula is well known for its spectacular scenery, its enviable food and wine heritage and is teeming with wildlife, dotted with quaint seaside villages and alive with galleries, markets and antique shops.

Over 192 kilometres of coastline becomes a major attraction for many during summer, from the surf beaches of Point Leo and Gunnamatta to the tranquil waters of Rye and Sorrento.

The Peninsula's rolling hills and rich, fertile soil support more than 30 wineries nestled throughout the region open for tastings, cellar door sales and scrumptious dining.

Golf courses are another major attraction on the Peninsula, making the area one of the best golfing regions in Australia. Catering to all levels of experience, the Mornington Peninsula has plenty of public and private golf courses offering spectacular coastal and hinterland scenery.

The Peninsula is home to Victoria's oldest community market at Red Hill and the area is well known for its quality galleries, antique and art shops.

The Mornington Peninsula is also home to the Mornington Peninsula National Park, attracting 2.8 million visitors a year and making it the most visited National Park in Victoria. Other attractions include Arthur's Seat chairlift for spectacular bay views, bushwalking and horse riding trails and historic sites including the Briars homestead, the nature reserve at Coolart and the First Settlement site at Sorrento.

The growth of south eastern Melbourne means that the Mornington Peninsula is in a prime location, offering excellent lifestyle opportunities and an area of great beauty and diversity for the enjoyment of residents, investors and visitors alike.

Information provided Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
For more information about the Mornington Peninsula visit http://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au

For everything you need to know about the Mornington Peninsula, from accommodation reservation to advice on local attractions, please call Greater Peninsula Tourism on FREE CALL 1800 804 009 or visit http://www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org/