Mornington Peninsula: Wine Tasting & Hot Springs Day Trip

Summary

Estate wines, panoramic lookouts and soaking in bushland pools

You’ll sip local wines at Green Olive Estate, gaze across Port Phillip Bay from Arthur’s Seat lookout, then spend three unhurried hours soaking in natural hot springs surrounded by bushland—all with a local guide who keeps things relaxed. Expect small surprises: warm bread at lunch, eucalyptus on your skin, laughter over wine pairings. It’s a day that lingers quietly after you’re home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Coastal views, wine tasting, and hot springs

• Collect coffee at Melbourne Arts Centre
• Scenic drive to Mornington Peninsula
• Walk to Arthur's Seat lookout
• Wine paddle and lunch at Green Olive Estate
• Relax at Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs
• Return to Melbourne Arts Centre

Top questions

How long is the Mornington Peninsula wine & hot springs day trip?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours, departing around 8am and returning to Melbourne by 6:30pm.

Is lunch included on this Mornington Peninsula tour?

Yes, a gourmet grazing lunch featuring estate-grown produce is included at Green Olive Estate winery.

Are hot springs entry fees covered?

Yes, entry to Peninsula Hot Springs with access to over 75 thermal pools for three hours is included.

Where does the tour depart from in Melbourne?

The tour departs from Arts Centre Melbourne; city center hotel drop-off is available on request.

How many people are on this small group tour?

The group size is limited to 15 people or fewer for a more personal experience.

Is there a guided walk at Arthur's Seat lookout?

Yes, there’s a short guided bush walk (about 100 meters) to Arthur's Seat summit with commentary.

Can I choose which wines I taste during the wine paddle?

You can select red, white or mixed options for your wine tasting paddle at Green Olive Estate.

Are spa treatments available at Peninsula Hot Springs?

Spa treatments are optional upgrades available at your own expense during your visit.

What’s included

Your day includes complimentary barista coffee at departure from Arts Centre Melbourne, small-group transport with WiFi onboard, a guided walk up Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views across Port Phillip Bay, gourmet grazing lunch and personalized wine paddle tasting at Green Olive Estate winery, plus three hours’ entry to Peninsula Hot Springs before returning you back to central Melbourne by evening.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the coach at Arts Centre Melbourne because I got distracted by the smell of fresh coffee — turns out, that was for us. Our guide, Matt, handed me a cup with a grin and said something about “needing fuel for the peninsula.” The bus was only half full, so it felt more like a group of friends than a tour. As we left the city behind, someone pointed out how the light changed over Frankston — kind of golden but with that Melbourne winter chill sneaking in through the windows.

The walk up to Arthur’s Seat was shorter than I expected (honestly, I’d worried about my knees), and Matt kept stopping to point out little things — gum leaves crushed between his fingers, stories about Bunurong Country that made me see the land differently. At the top, there was this hush except for wind and one kid giggling at seagulls. That view across Port Phillip Bay—well, it’s still stuck in my head. You could see all the way to Melbourne’s skyline if you squinted.

Lunch at Green Olive Estate was… honestly, it felt like someone’s backyard party but with better wine. The grazing board had olives that tasted like they’d just come off the tree (maybe they had?), and we all tried to guess which wine matched what cheese. Our server laughed when I mixed up shiraz and pinot—apparently that’s “classic city mistake.” I didn’t mind; it made everything feel easy.

By the time we reached Peninsula Hot Springs, my brain had already slowed down a notch. Three hours sounded long but disappeared fast between moving from pool to pool—some were quiet enough to hear magpies warbling above the steam. There was this one spot on a hilltop where you could see treetops fading into mist; I just sat there until my fingers wrinkled. Didn’t want to leave but knowing we’d be back in Melbourne by dinner made it feel less abrupt somehow.