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Mornington Peninsula Wine Region

Producing our world-famous Victorian wine


Mornington Peninsula History

Thousands of years before Europeans arrived, the Mornington Peninsula was home to the Bunrurong people who subsisted on the bounty of the coastal waters, the cultivation of native flora and medicines, hunting and the formulation of trade routes.

While some Bunrurong descendents are still living on their ancestor's land, the arrival of the first sealers and whalers eventually led to Victoria's first settlement in 1803 on the Mornington Peninsula, prior to the establishment of Melbourne and its history of settlement.

Other historical points of interest on the Peninsula relating to the early Victorian settlement of Australia include Coolart, The Briars and the McCrae Homestead.

The Mornington Peninsula wineries are not the only attraction in this region as seen on the map. With a bit of a military history and much of the Peninsula formerly belonging to the government, many areas including the Mornington Peninsula National Park, Arthur's Seat and Point Nepean National Park, have preserved their rugged beauty by the sea.

A museum for the naval base, HMAS Cerberus, also lures military buffs curious about the history of the area.

Visitors are invited to explore the 19th century tunnels of Fort Nepean and tour the Collins Settlement where Lieutenant Colonel David Collins landed with a group of free-settlers, convicts and officers. The Peninsula's Cape Schanck Lighthouse, which guided ships for 140 windswept years, offers guided tours and spectacular views of the basalt cliffs.

Under blue skies and complemented by comfortable Melbourne weather, a Mornington Peninsula walking holiday is a great way to see the place!

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