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Mornington Peninsula & Phillip Island: Route Guide

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Phillip Island penguins — Mornington Peninsula & Phillip Island
Photo: Gambitek · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Melbourne's double weekend: the Mornington Peninsula's hilltop hot springs and pinot cellar doors above bathing-box beaches, then Phillip Island for the planet's most beloved commute. Thousands of little penguins surfing ashore at dusk to waddle home past the grandstands. Koalas, seal colonies and Cape Woolamai's surf fill the daylight shift.

Mornington Peninsula & Phillip Island is a 140 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 2–4 days; the plan below is the 3-day version for December, built from 447 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

2–4
days
140km
distance
3
Stops
447
curated stops

Plan your own version → 2-day plan · 3-day plan · 4-day plan · best time to go

The route

Melbourne→ 75 kmThe Mornington Peninsula→ 65 kmPhillip Island

What you'll see

Carlton Gardens
Stroll through majestic Victorian-era gardens and towering plane trees.
Melbourne
The Briars
Explore a delightful old homestead set on 230 hectares rich in history and nature.
The Mornington Peninsula
Churchill Island
Discover historic crops and buildings on this scenic European settlement site.
Phillip Island
Heide Museum of Modern Art
Experience modern and contemporary art by the Yarra River.
Melbourne
Cape Schanck Lighthouse and Museum
Witness dramatic rocks and waves at the base of this historic lighthouse.
The Mornington Peninsula
National Vietnam Veterans Museum
Explore a vast collection of war memorabilia in a volunteer-run museum.
Phillip Island
National Gallery of Victoria
Discover international and local art in a grand, inspiring space.
Melbourne
Coolart Wetland and Homestead
Spot ibis and other waterbirds amidst historic gardens and an annual jazz festival.
The Mornington Peninsula

Choose your length

2-day plan11 stops · 5.1 h transit5.5 stops/day · 2.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →3-day plan17 stops · 7.6 h transit5.7 stops/day · 2.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan22 stops · 9.8 h transit5.5 stops/day · 2.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: November, December, January, February, March

Bathing-box summer: Sorrento's sea baths, hot springs booked to the brim, peninsula pinot on every deck — and the penguin parade waddling nightly regardless.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →