| In just an hour you can shed the city life of Melbourne and reach what feels like another time zone on the Mornington Peninsula. Life really does slow down there and, with its Mediterranean air of beachside restaurants and secluded bays, the Peninsula does an exceptionally good job of convincing people that they’re on the other side of the world. With a climate that’s also similar to the Mediterranean, the Peninsula’s landscape now echoes that of its northern hemisphere counterpart - silvery olive groves, rolling hills laced with vineyards, roadside signs for strawberries or free range eggs, waterfront cafes and restaurants and lively local markets where growers bring their just-picked and just-made produce.
Historic country house retreats and intimate hotels will envelop you in luxury, vineyard restaurants will tempt you with fine wine and food, and the beautiful outdoors will beckon you to take an invigorating walk along wind-swept cliff-tops, a quiet beach or bush-clad paths. This region is also great for golfers. Now known as ‘The Cups’, it is recognised as having some of the world’s best natural golf terrain, with sand hills providing perfect contours and sandy soils that drain rapidly and allow outstanding year-round golf.
Thinking of a garden wedding? Then choose one of the glorious gardens on Mornington Pennisular. Arthurs Seat Maze has 20 themed gardens and a challenging hedge maze. Ashcombe Maze and Water Gardens boasts Australia’s oldest hedge maze and its extensive gardens feature very calming ponds and water features. Muranna Herbs and Cottages is a ‘garden of the spirit’, with a secret walled garden, rose and wisteria gardens and a pond with water lilies.
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