7 Unforgettable Glamping Stays On The Mornington Peninsula

From spa staycations to weekends in a yurt, these seven glamping getaways on the Mornington Peninsula will have you clicking ‘book’ on your next Victorian break.

It’s a bucolic bubble, within easy striking distance of the big city. Well-known as the weekend retreat of choice for many Melburnians, the Mornington Peninsula offers nature aplenty, a beautiful coastline and a ripper food and wine scene. If you’re planning on getting closer to all the Mornington Peninsula action, and its bountiful flora and fauna, then booking a glamping stay is a great bet.

1. Peninsula Hot Springs

woman sitting on deck of Peninsula Hot Springs Glamping — Glamping accommodation is nestled in the natural surrounds of the hot springs.

A day pool hopping in Peninsula Hot Springs is a day well spent. But add the venue’s glamping accommodation to the equation, and that dreamy day can become several. Aside from enjoying access to the natural hot spring’s features (think day spa, saunas, a reflexology walk, plunge pools, a cafe, bathing pools and more), glamping guests can enjoy peak serenity in the venue’s leafy grounds, with nothing but the surrounding frog calls to lull you to sleep.

This is no twee, amateur set-up with walls that wobble in the wind and limited headspace either. Each tent sleeps a maximum of two and features an ensuite, a walk-in robe, custom-made furniture, a king-sized bed, a private deck area and thermally heated concrete floors. There’s even a mini bar, with a healthy buffet breakfast served each morning in the dining room at the Spa Dreaming Centre.

There are just 10 glamping set-ups in three different styles: garden view, lake view and secluded pavilion. For those wanting to up the luxury, the eco lodges are for you.

Address: 140 Springs Lane, Fingal, Mornington Peninsula

2. Iluka Retreat

Iluka Retreat outdoor tent — Treat yourself to a glamping experience at the picturesque Iluka Retreat.

Staying true to the more rustic-chic roots of glamping, the canvas bell tents at Iluka Retreat are kitted out with bunting, plenty of cushions, blankets and rugs, and a small private deck to boot. Moreover, they’re great for families, with space for two single-bed mattresses to be added if you plan on bringing the brood. You can even hire a fire pit to sit around and toast marshmallows over. All you need to bring is a torch or light for your tent, an overnight bag and a sense of adventure.

Set on a 15-hectare property near Red Hill South with a creek running through it, the glamping village at Iluka overlooks the lush valley, as well as the property’s lake below. Naturally, the peninsula’s beaches, cellar doors and award-winning winery restaurants are all supremely accessible, as is the nearby surf town of Shoreham.

Glamping guests share a camp kitchen, barbecues and a camp bathroom.

Address: 20 Shoreham Rd, Shoreham, Mornington Peninsula

3. Glamping at The Ranch

a look inside one of the tents at Glamping at The Ranch, Mornington Peninsula — Each glamping retreat comes with modern comforts.

The Ranch is normally a place where kids come for school camps, but Peninsula Nomads, an operation that sets up glamping retreats for events, has also pitched some teepees at this property near Cape Schanck.

Glamping at The Ranch set-ups have a diameter of either 4.5 metres or six metres; the smaller suits a couple, while the larger can have single air mattresses added for kids. Each is beautifully styled with lots of strings of lights, lounge chairs and beautifully made-up air mattresses. It’s part of a larger campsite, so you might have just a couple of glampers near you or have lots of people in caravans and campers. There’s a camp bathroom, camp kitchen and a pool.

If you like, you can also book the giant Jenga or Connect 4 or organise grazing boxes, so you don’t have to worry about supplies when you arrive.

Some of the activities you can take on at The Ranch, include horse riding, mountain boarding, archery and zip lining, so it’s a great option for families.

Address: 810 Boneo Road, Boneo, Mornington Peninsula

4. Happy Glamper

glamping tents at Happy Glamper, Mornington Peninsula — Wake up as the happiest glamper.

If you’re sold on the idea of glamping but want to choose where to stay, try Happy Glamper on for size. The company creates bespoke glamping micro-adventures across the Mornington Peninsula: all you have to do is choose when, where and how.

There are six types of bell tents from which to choose. The four-metre tent is a cosy option for couples, while the Emperor Tent is the largest, suitable for a big family or group of six mates. Best of all, Happy Glamper’s operation is far from bare-bones – all the pitching, styling, packing down and removing is included within your rate, as are an array of furnishings, features and amenities such as LED lanterns, bath towels, outdoor and indoor mats, chairs, decorative bunting, board games, books and magazines, a combination lock for the tent door, and even string lights and power points if you book a powered site. Optional extras are available too (think bar fridges, picnic kits and heaters).

The only thing that isn’t included in the price is the campsite itself. Instead, glampers book their own spot at any of the sites available on the peninsula, ranging from foreshore camping managed by the local council to privately owned holiday parks. If you’re not sure where to start, the Happy Glampers website has a handful of good ideas.

Address: 16/1921Frankston, Flinders Rd, Hastings, Mornington Peninsula

5. Mornington Peninsula Retro Caravans

If you’ve been burned by the weather on a weekend getaway before, you may prefer to stay in accommodation that is a little sturdier than canvas. If that’s the case, another option – a relatively inexpensive one at that – is to stay in one of the 13 old-school caravans permanently parked at Rye’s Kanasta Caravan Park .

They range from the adorable Peggy Sue that sleeps two to a number of other campers with annexes that sleep up to six, which makes them great for families. Some of the caravans maintain their 60s allure – Daisy’s old-school vinyl banquette, laminated table and two-tone kitchen – while others have been updated with more modern features.

Each of these caravan cuties has a TV, split-system air conditioning, linen, cutlery, crockery, tea and coffee-making facilities. Some also have an electric stove top, but you can also borrow an electric fry pan if you want to cook breakfast. What makes this more like camping than staying in a hotel is you’re using the park’s amenities block.

But you’re only a five-minute walk from Rye Beach, plus lots of cafes and shops.

Address: 1–9 Sinclair Avenue, Rye, Mornington Peninsula

6. Shipwrecked Oasis

the bed at Shipwrecked Oasis glamping in Mornington Peninsula — Rest up in the nautical space.

Here’s one for all the landlubbers out there. If you’ve always wanted to stay on a boat, but are worried about getting seasick, you should be this unique offering. The owners have taken a vintage timber cruiser and stranded it on their property near St Andrews Beach.

The interior of Shipwrecked Oasis is all original wood panelling and nautically inspired decor. There’s a comfy double bed and kitchenette on the inside. Outside, it’s completely private with a rustic outdoor bathroom and your own portaloo. There are also plenty of places to sit outside, including chairs around a fire pit (BYO wood).

This is a great place to really get away from it all. You’re surrounded by the bush and all that entails – you might, for example, get a possum on the roof during the night – and can walk to either ocean or bay beaches. Oh, and St Andrews Beach Brewery is an easy stroll down the street. You’re also only a five-minute drive from Peninsula Hot Springs, too, if you need to decrease your stress levels even more.

Accommodation doesn’t get much more unique than this.

Address: Placadena Road, St Andrews Beach, Mornington Peninsula

7. Yurt Hideaway

the glamping accommodation at Yurt Hideaway, Mornington Peninsula — Find stylish glamping sanctuaries at Yurt Hideaway.

If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a traditional Mongolian yurt but were put off by the long plane ride, book a couple of nights at Yurt Hideaway . This is a spacious glamping accommodation, with plenty of headroom for even the tallest of holidaymakers.

A queen-size bed with a canopy sets the romantic scene. There’s a full private bathroom stocked with eco-friendly amenities, a kitchenette with lots of thoughtful additions from the owner, and a gorgeous patio surrounded by plants where you can just relax and enjoy yourself.

If it’s a special occasion and you want to make the stay extra special – flowers, a brekkie box, celebration cakes, private yoga classes or passes to Peninsula Hot Springs – just add them to your booking and your hosts make your requests a reality.

Address: Meadow Avenue, Tootgarook, Mornington Peninsula

Discover the best things to do on the Mornington Peninsula.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

a couple on Mount Oberon — Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland — Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

the Baw Baw National Park — The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland — Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park — Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park — The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the WildernessRetreats in The Prom — Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

Eating there

the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.