Mornington Peninsula with 5 Star Jackalope 5 days

SELF-GUIDED

OVERVIEW

The walk begins with a private transfer of less than 2 hours from the airport or your Melbourne hotel to the beginning of the Mornington Peninsula Two Bays walk. We stay at 5 Star Jackalope and its’ Willow Creek Winery, indisputably Mornington Peninsula’s finest Hotel slash winery. The trip is fully inclusive and includes fine dining degustation dinners at Jackalope and chef-prepared cooked breakfasts.

The walk traverses everything from dramatic views over rugged stretches of beach, dense forest, Mornington’s coastal culture and its wartime history. The track starts with the Two Bays Track, making its way via Arthur’s Seat to Bushranger Bay. Cape Schanck Lightstation is our next stop on our way to Point Nepean and Sorrento, via Gunnamatta and its stunning beaches.

Why not incorporate a rest day at Sorrento where you can take the ferry across to historic Queenscliff for the day or visit the hot springs or more wineries.

HIGHLIGHTS

5 Days of superb walking via a great variety of natural landscapes from Port Phillip Bay, dense native forest, the back beaches, Point Nepean and Sorrento

The luxury of 5-star Jackalope

Seamless transfers from Melbourne and on and off the track

All-inclusive of meals and accommodation.

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK

SELF GUIDED

TRIP LENGTH

5 DAYS

WALK GRADE

Easy to Moderate

PRICE FROM

$ 2945

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY

$ 1100

per person

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Departure Dates

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ITINERARY

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

DAY 1
DROMANA ON THE TWO BAYS WALK TO ARTHURS SEAT

Start before 9 am in Melbourne at the airport or your hotel with a private transfer. We transfer you to the beginning of the 2 Bays walk. The walk makes its way up steadily to Arthurs Seat the highest point on this walk Outstanding views can be had over the bay and the ocean and beaches. In the afternoon we pick you up on the track and take you to the Jackalope Hotel.

Walking: Moderate / 23km / 5.5–6 hrs

Meals: Walkers lunch and a fine dining dinner

Accommodation: Jackalope Hotel in a room with an ensuite

DAY 2
ARTHURS SEAT TO BUSHRANGERS BAY CAPE SCHANK ON TWO BAYS WALK

The walk continues along the Two Bays Walking Track to picturesque Bushranger Bay and then via the cliff tops to Cape Schanck Lightstation. There’s a scenic walk to the point here and you can also take a tour of the lighthouse and stroll through the light station precinct (at extra cost).

Walking: Easy to Moderate / 16.7km / 4.5–5.5 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and fine dining at Jackalope

Accommodation: Jackalope Hotel in a room with an ensuite

DAY 3
CAPE SCHANK TO JUST PAST GUNNAMATTA

From Cape Schank, you traverse the dunes down to the beach at Gunnamatta. These are remote beaches where you won’t see a soul. The track makes its way via farmland and the beach to Rye back beach. There’s very often the opportunity to see dolphins and even the odd whale. This day marks a stark contrast to the day before where you walk in the forest most of the time.

Walking: Moderate/ 19.5kms/ 5.5-6 hrs

Meals: Cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and fine dining at Jackalope

Accommodation: Jackalope Hotel in a room with an ensuite

DAY 4
JUST PAST GUNNAMATTA TO POINT NEPEAN AND SORRENTO

Continue along the back beach via Sorrento and Portsea to Point Nepean. This is the very tip of the peninsula where you can see across The Rip to historic Point Lonsdale. Marking the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, here you can explore historic forts, walk through the tunnels used during the World Wars and see large disappearing guns. There’s a shuttle bus you can take to get back to the entrance to Point Nepean park (at extra cost). Finish the day with a stroll along “Millionaires Walk” and see how the peninsula’s well-heeled live and back to your accommodation.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 23.1km / 6–8 hrs / shorter walk available

Meals: Cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch and 2-course a la carte dinner

Accommodation: On the Hill in Sorrento in an ensuite room

DAY 5
SORRENTO AND ONWARD TRAVEL

The walk finishes this morning. Why not add a day and visit more wineries or take a trip out to the Peninsula Hotsprings.

Or simply chill in your apartment and enjoy Sorrento like Melbournians do. Sleep in, get a coffee, read the paper and take a dip in the bay.

Meals: None

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Pack-free walking
25+ years experience
Customised
Eco Travel

All meals: Chef-prepared cooked breakfasts, fine dining dinners and substantial walkers lunches
Private transfers to and from Melbourne
3 nights’ accommodation at Jackalope
1 night at On the Hills in Sorrento
The best Mornington Peninsula Walks, including the 2 Bays Track
Enjoy worry-free navigation with Auswalk’s comprehensive track notes, maps, map case, insulated lunch bag & info pack
24/7 support from Auswalk’s representatives on the ground

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

We stay at Jackalope Mornington Peninsula’s finest hotel. Jackalope is only a short walk to the Buckley Nature Conservation Reserve and is located in the middle of a working vineyard. The hotel is very modern and sleek, its’ contemporary rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with amazing views over the vineyard. We supply a free minibar (less wine), free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, on-demand movies and popcorn. The four-course dinners will be at Doot Doot Doot, Jackalope’s acclaimed hatted restaurant. If you feel the need to kick on then there’s always their bar called Flaggerdoot. Additional amenities include an eatery offering al fresco dining, the winery and an infinity pool with vineyard views. Massage and beauty treatments are also available.

On our final night, we stay with On the Hill in Sorento and eat at the hotel. Sorento is the type of place where you’re going to want to get out as it has some lovely walks, cafes and eateries.

Each day whilst you’re walking you’ll be provided with a substantial walkers lunch and you’ll get to eat it at a fabulous location on the track. A walkers lunch is varied and may include a high protein type salad, roll or a wrap, muesli bar, cake or muffin and a piece of fruit.

The Mornington Peninsula has a well-earned reputation for fine food and wine and Jackalope is said to be one of the finest experiences in Victoria, let alone on the Peninsula. We suggest taking a day off to visit the renowned local wineries and hot springs or simply take in a long lunch. There’s also some great health and wellness experiences to be had.

Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).

NIGHTS 1 & 2 (AND NIGHT 3 ON 5-DAY OPTION)

JACKALOPE

Jackalope winery:

The Edwardian homestead or McCormick House as it was once called has stood here since 1876. The house is now been transformed into a cocktail bar. The vines were planted in 1989, the Willow Creek Vineyard is now well established and has taken advantage of the rich volcanic soils. The vineyard produces pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet, pinot gris and sauvignon blanc. The winemaker Geraldine McFaul has produced some outstanding wines and the reputation of the Willow Creek Vineyard has grown significantly.

Rooms:

The rooms provide unparalleled comfort and luxury. The ceiling to floor windows allows for beautiful views over the vineyard or the surrounded area. They include a king bed stylish bathrooms and all the mod conveniences you’d expect from a 5-star hotel.

Restaurant

Doot Doot Doot has been awarded One Hat. It has a big reputation and no wonder as their food is excellent. We eat a 4-course dinner each night. We also have ached prepared cooked breakfast each morning.
NIGHT 3 (NIGHT 4 ON 5-DAY OPTION)

SORRENTO

These rooms are both spacious and luxurious, with a balcony and views over the bay. The rooms have all the modern conveniences you’d expect plus more.

Dinner tonight will be in the Hotel’s Restaurant.

GENERAL INFO

This walk starts and finishes in Melbourne with a private transfer of approximately 80km from Melbourne which takes about 1 1/2 hours. We drive you back at the end of the walk to Melbourne. If you need to drive we will refund you most of the cost of the private transfers and have you met at Jackalope on the morning of Day 1 at 9:00 am. You can leave your car here to collect at the end of the walk. Contact us for more detail.

This walk covers almost 63km (4 days) to 82 km (5 days) averaging 16km per day. The walking is mostly easy to moderate with a small amount of more strenuous walking. There is one day with some extended beach walking, some scenic clifftop walks, undulating tracks, and the occasional short steep climbs. The walk is graded as relatively easy. The map of the 4-day version is shown on the website.

For what to bring please refer to Gear Advice on our FAQ section.

WEATHER

The summer months from January to February can be quite hot. March to May are usually delightful for walking, as is September to December. The winter months from June to July can be cool and occasionally wet but offer exciting beach walking.

Warning about tide times – this walking holiday includes some sections of beach walking, so you need to take into account the tide times when choosing a starting date. To check tide charts, go to the Bureau of Meteorology and select the pin for Around Western Port (Stony Point) and then Flinders Jetty for the location. Where you are walking in Gunnamatta will be 7 minutes earlier than these tide times. We can assist you if you need help understanding the charts.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance for all of our trips, as we charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it. It is also important in the event of an accident or loss of property. See the FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

MAP

DEPARTURE DATES

DATES

AVAILABILITY

PRICE

Single Occupancy

DETAILS
1 Apr 2021 - 31 Mar 2023

AVAILABLE

^from
$2945

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$1100

5 Day

BOOK NOW
1 Apr 2023 - 31 Mar 2024

AVAILABLE

^from
$2995

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$1100

5 Days

BOOK NOW

REVIEWS

Customer Reviews

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Overview

OVERVIEW

Why not incorporate a rest day at Sorrento where you can take the ferry across to historic Queenscliff for the day or visit the hot springs or more wineries.

HIGHLIGHTS

5 Days of superb walking via a great variety of natural landscapes from Port Phillip Bay, dense native forest, the back beaches, Point Nepean and Sorrento

The luxury of 5-star Jackalope

Seamless transfers from Melbourne and on and off the track

All-inclusive of meals and accommodation.