Nestled in the green rolling pastures of prime vineyard country, Red Hill, in southeast Victoria, Australia, is one of Melbourne’s favourite weekend retreats and possesses an unmistakable European feel. Just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD and a stone’s throw away from popular bay side village, Sorrento, the Mornington peninsula’s Hinterland offers so many vineyards and fine restaurants, one feels spoilt for choice.
Travelling up the hill from Port Phillip Bay, Redhill feels like you are entering into a different world from the coastal setting below. It’s lush green rises and gullies give one an unmistakable country feel, complete with picket fences outlining quaint farms. Both large and tiny vineyards are dotted along the winding roads of both the Main ridge and Redhill drives. Most offer their company spectacular views of sloping hills, quaint rows of grape vine and intriguing mixtures of English rose gardens and native scrub. Fresh local produce gives prominence to, and is another reason to stay and have a meal with your wine at one of the restaurants attached to the vineyard’s testing cellars.
This region has a cool climate and strong maritime winds, which sweep across from Port Phillip Bay. This weather gives ideal conditions for chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot grigio style wines, although the area supplies vast varieties of other wines too, but not as popular. Taste testing can be done on organised day tours, such as on horseback, to enjoy a different pace and stopping for lunch along the way.
Travelling up the hill from Port Phillip Bay, Redhill feels like you are entering into a different world from the coastal setting below. It’s lush green rises and gullies give one an unmistakable country feel, complete with picket fences outlining quaint farms. Both large and tiny vineyards are dotted along the winding roads of both the Main ridge and Redhill drives. Most offer their company spectacular views of sloping hills, quaint rows of grape vine and intriguing mixtures of English rose gardens and native scrub. Fresh local produce gives prominence to, and is another reason to stay and have a meal with your wine at one of the restaurants attached to the vineyard’s testing cellars.
This region has a cool climate and strong maritime winds, which sweep across from Port Phillip Bay. This weather gives ideal conditions for chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot grigio style wines, although the area supplies vast varieties of other wines too, but not as popular. Taste testing can be done on organised day tours, such as on horseback, to enjoy a different pace and stopping for lunch along the way.
While travelling from one vineyard to the next, one will discover many pleasant surprises and opportunities to stop and enjoy the small but lively community. Small, local business such as Redhill cheese and chocolate factories as well as a micro beer brewery and fresh baked patisseries, reveal the regions diversity of harvests and exceptional tourist led industry.
Children really enjoy picking their own cherries and strawberries growing in the orchards, which ripen in the summer months as well as get lost in the many mazes and botanical gardens, such as the enchanted maze garden. The less known ‘Sea Winds’ garden, at Arthur’s seat, is a tranquil spot to stroll through indigenous gardens and natural scrublands of the Peninsula’s Hinterland. At the edge of the gardens there are spectacular lookouts over the bay, as well as nature walks and longer hikes for the more energetic folk. Families of Kangaroos can be seen amongst the trees or relaxing on the expansive lawns and BBQ facilities make this places an ideal picnickers paradise.
If taking a more cultural route appeals to you, Redhill offers teahouses serving Devonshire tea, hidden among pretty gardens. Local artwork, featuring ruminative seascapes of Port Phillip Bay can be seen in the many art galleries and modern sculpture appear on the sweeping lawns of vineyards. Small cafés, bakeries and boutiques also give reason to bide some time in this charming area. A community run Redhill arts and craft market is on the first Saturday of every month from September to May and is worth the effort of an early morning.
In this rural setting amongst olive groves and towering gum trees, Redhill has been described as an Australian Tuscany. With a high-end calibre of fine dining, award winning wines and distinctive accommodation, the Mornington Peninsula hinterland is up there as one of Australia’s wine–lovers hotspots.
Children really enjoy picking their own cherries and strawberries growing in the orchards, which ripen in the summer months as well as get lost in the many mazes and botanical gardens, such as the enchanted maze garden. The less known ‘Sea Winds’ garden, at Arthur’s seat, is a tranquil spot to stroll through indigenous gardens and natural scrublands of the Peninsula’s Hinterland. At the edge of the gardens there are spectacular lookouts over the bay, as well as nature walks and longer hikes for the more energetic folk. Families of Kangaroos can be seen amongst the trees or relaxing on the expansive lawns and BBQ facilities make this places an ideal picnickers paradise.
If taking a more cultural route appeals to you, Redhill offers teahouses serving Devonshire tea, hidden among pretty gardens. Local artwork, featuring ruminative seascapes of Port Phillip Bay can be seen in the many art galleries and modern sculpture appear on the sweeping lawns of vineyards. Small cafés, bakeries and boutiques also give reason to bide some time in this charming area. A community run Redhill arts and craft market is on the first Saturday of every month from September to May and is worth the effort of an early morning.
In this rural setting amongst olive groves and towering gum trees, Redhill has been described as an Australian Tuscany. With a high-end calibre of fine dining, award winning wines and distinctive accommodation, the Mornington Peninsula hinterland is up there as one of Australia’s wine–lovers hotspots.
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