Top 10 things to do in Sorrento
Located just over an seventy five minutes drive from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula has a wealth of popular natural attractions with a variety of beaches both sheltered on Port Phillip Bay or ocean side with great views. There are over sixty wineries and vineyards and other great tourist attractions.
Sorrento is the most popular and historic location and is situated at the Southern end of the Mornington Peninsula. Wander around this historic town and you will see hints of times gone by. This is the place to wander the homewares and clothes shops and stop for coffee or an icecream. The pace is slow, just meander the day away with a slow stroll
Before we introduce you to the things to do, you will need somewhere to stay. Our pretty holiday rentals and cottages are scattered around the Mornington Peninsula but if you want to be close to Sorrento then check out BUCKLEYS ESCAPE.
So, what are the things to do in Sorrento:
1. The Famous Vanilla Slice
This is the must visit spot in the street. Get in early to Just Fine Foods as it is on everyone’s bucket list. If you can find a seat in their tiny cafe, then eat it there with a coffee or save it for later and take it away.
This is not your ordinary vanilla slice. You know the one’s, the custard is a little hard, the puff pastry not so puff. This is a pillow softness of custard with a sneaky layer of jam at the bottom. This is so light you won’t notice you’ve devoured the whole lot when you only intended to have a sneaky little taste of your partners/childrens!!!
2. Hitting the shops
There are homewares, clothes and book shops galore in the main shopping strip of Sorrento Village. Our very favourite is the gorgeous bookshop called Antipodes. Get lost in this wonderful store that also includes a gallery of local artworks. Like Alice you’ll enter another world and be lost for hours. Check out Antipodes: https://www.antipodesbookshop.com
3. Take the Ferry to Queenscliff
The ferry between Sorrento and Queenscliff runs every hour on the hour from 7am to 6pm. Either take the car and once across take a drive down the Great Ocean Road. It’s worth stopping in Queenscliff as it is a beautiful Victorian seaside town. You are almost guaranteed if the weather is fine to see some dolphins following the ferry either on the way across or back or both. If you are really lucky you may get to see a Southern Right Whale or a Humpback.
4. Swim with the Seals and the Dolphins
Moonraker Dolphin Swims
Moonraker Dolphin Swims are located Esplanade Road, Sorrento
The team at Moonraker Dolphin Swims can take you on an experience like no other. Snorkel with resident Bottlenose Dolphins, swim alongside cheeky Australian Fur Seals, explore underwater marine parks filled with colourful fish and join the search for weedy sea dragons. Experience the amazing natural environment of Port Phillip bay with a low impact, eco friendly experience.
Season October to April
Polperro are located in Sorrento Ph: 5988 8437
Polperro Dolphin Swims is a multi-award winning environmental tourism operation that offers you the opportunity to observe and swim with wild bottlenose dolphins in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. The fully licensed vessel possesses a professionally trained and experienced crew to ensure that you have an unforgettable marine adventure. Passenger safety and the dolphins’ protection are of paramount importance, and so we purposely limit the size of our trips to guarantee a high standard of customer and environmental care. The on-board facilities include change areas, toilet, hot shower and a galley for serving refreshments. Wetsuits, masks and snorkels are all supplied. Reef and seal swims are often part of our trips, so be prepared to see and experience much more than just dolphins. Polperro Dolphin Swims offers a wide range of other services including Bay cruises, educational and historical tours, fully catered charters or a trip of your own personal design.
Departures: depart Sorrento Pier daily at 8.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. (weather permitting), and other times by arrangement. Bookings are essential.
Trips may be cancelled due to bad weather. Please ring the office on the day for a final weather check. Please be aware that the dolphins in Port Phillip Bay are wild animals and so interactions cannot be guaranteed on every trip.
Season: October to April.
5. Explore the Sorrento Back Beach and Rockpool
Rock pools are so interesting especially for children. The following are beaches that have some great rock pools. PLEASE NOTE THAT SEARCHING ROCKPOOLS IS VERY DEPENDENT ON THE TIDES – LOW TIDE IS ESSENTIAL. Rockpools can be found at Ocean Beach – Diamond Bay Sorrento – Pearses Beach – Blairgowrie and No 16 Beach (Browns/Lillian Rods Rye) west to The Divide for exploring at low tide and swimming.
6. Take a picnic and the kids to the playground
Sorrento Park Adventure Playground
Located on the corner of Point Nepean Road and Hotham, Road just past the Sorrento Hotel. Facilities include large wooden fortress style playground for the children including swings, BBQs, picnic tables and great views of the water.
7. See how the other half live Millionaires Walk
Millionaires Walk – Portsea – 2.5 kms approx
What fun to walk right in the gardens of the rich and famous! Yes, that’s right. There is a right of way that winds its way through some beautiful clifftop properties, on one side you see the fabulous ocean and on if you look on the other side you are staring straight into someone’s lounge room!!!
For a longer walk start at the Sorrento Beach rotunda, your walk begins by heading towards Portsea to the west, strolling along The Esplanade, past the historical steam train terminals. Then the real fun begins as you walk along the Sorrento to Portsea clifftop (very safe with good tracks, not too close to the edge), making your way through the yards of some of Melbourne’s richest identities, admiring the architecture and ideal landscaped gardens of their holiday hideaways.
8. Immerse yourself in art
9. Afternoon at the Contintental Hotel
10. Explore Coppins Track and lookout
Coppins Track, which starts at the kiosk at the Sorrento Ocean Beach, is a three kilometre guided historic walk that winds along the cliff tops to Diamond Bay tracing the history of the area over the last 100 years. The track follows sections of the original 1800s limestone paved footpath. Numbered pegs along the track correspond with the Coppins Track park note and lead you to several lookouts with spectacular coastal scenery.
Check out the full details on the Mornington Peninsula Tourism website.