"Weekend Adventure Series: Mornington Peninsula" Melbourne Travelogue by leon.partsi

You have a free weekend in Melbourne. You have a rented car. You don't know what to do... But you want to relax.

I WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO RELAX. In syle.
Welcome to the Mornington Peninsula Relaxation Weekend. Invite your friends - The more the merrier.

TGallant Winery

If you have 3 days, begin on Friday morning and split day 2 into 2 days. You should have a full day at the winery, and a full day at the Mornington Peninsula.

Day 1: Leave the city and head South-East on Kings Way and the M1 highway. Near Dandenong turn right onto the M3 and head towards Frankston. You should aim for a leisurely 11am start - I told you this was a relaxing weekend. Leaving at 11am will get you to the first destination, T'Gallant Winery, at 12:45pm or so. This is perfect, as the lunch at this winery only opens at 12. Make a booking for 1, and take the time beforehand to get some wine tasting.

T'Gallant Winery has some fantastic whites, great live music entertainment, and an even better view. You can really see the relaxed, slow wine-making lifestyle in action here. On your way out, take some olives in olive oil. They are the best I have ever tasted bar none.

Your only mission for the rest of that day is to make a reservation for the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs for the evening bathe and dine. It's $45 on the weekend - but it's highly worth it because there are few things as relazing and awe-inspiring as taking a natural hot spring spa, looking up at the stars which aren't dimmed by city lights. Spas here are completely natural - the entire reservation is built on a geothermic vent - and they range in temperature from 30 to 42 degrees celsius.

Walk into your hotel and collapse into your bed - absolutely relaxed. Day 1 is a success.

Ashcombe Hedge Maze Interior

Today, you are spending a lazy day at the Ashcombe Hedge Maze. You may think that completing a maze may not be very relaxing - this is because you have never been to the Ashcombe Hedge Maze.

Once you get through the hedge maze, be prepared to stare in wonder at the amazing scenery of the national park in the maze's rear. Lavender fields, lakes, statues, fountains... it's a photographer's dream. But you are here to relax - grab a spot of grass, dig into a picnic basket and watch the day go by.

For a proper lunch, avoid the average cafe in the hedge maze and check out Manton's Winery for a homely lunch package sure to soothe the fire in your belly.

Don't have too many wines though - it's time to head home. Drive back into the city just as the sun is setting through the woods - sunset surrounded by forest is a wonderful sight.

TGallant Winery

A Picnic basket
Picnic blanket
Snacks
Swimsuit
Towel
Sturdy Sneakers for the maze
Sunglasses and sunscreen - even in winter the sun can be intense

Mornington Peninsula Greenery

Lunch at T'Gallant - outstanding
Exploring Ashcombe Hedge Maze - hope you aren't claustrophobic
Nighttime spa treatment at the Hot Springs - out of this world

Mornington Peninsula Seats

T'Gallant Wineries: http://www.tgallant.com.au/eat.aspx
Peninsula Hot Springs: http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com/en_US/bookings.html
Ashcombe Hedge Maze: http://www.ashcombemaze.com.au/
Manton's Winery: http://www.mantonscreekvineyard.com.au/