arts
Across the Mornington Peninsula, from Sorrento to Red Hill there are enclaves of artistic endeavour’s. These are a selection of our favourite haunts, grouped together to make a memorable day out.
slow and easy
Start the morning with a ‘long tray’ breakfast & the morning papers in your pajamas. Potter about the hideaway or soak up the fresh morning air in the outdoor spa. Then head off down the peninsula.
Wandering down the Main Street of Sorrento is a delight. We’d start at the bottom and walk to the top. First is Antipodes - a fabulous book store and art gallery. Right next door is one half of First Settlement Gallery, the other is just across the road - both filled with treasures and loads of work from local artists. Right at the top of the street you will find a little shop that sells a very big (world famous) vanilla slice - you should try it! Walk it off - down the hill towards the bay and check out Beast Creations blown glass work.
Enjoy the walk back up the hill and down the other side of the main street to fetch your car! Drive back to your hideaway along the bay and stop in at the Blairgowrie shopping centre where Jill who runs Aspects Gallery has a fine selection of local artists and great little presents. Head home for and afternoon snooze and preparations for your dinner. You can dine in if you like!
hilltop meanderings
There’s an art to making cheese and we have two delightful cheese makers on their two delightful properties on you way to some very fine galleries up in and around Red Hill. Saunter up Browns Road into the hills, you want to head up Main Creek towards Arthurs Seat keep a look out on your right and you’ll see the goats before the sign of Main Ridge Diary. Bess and Damien have grown these goats and named each one as they established there beautiful dairy. They run diary tours and you get to taste the cheese.
Proceed with secure produce, proceed along main Creek road take a right into Arthurs Seat Road and then hang a left down the hill towards the bay you will find Marion Rosetsky ceramic studio along with some really interesting fabrics and wood work. Continue down the hill (whitehill road) and on your right you will find the Whitehill Gallery - a quiet must. Take a right into Dunns Creek Road just before the bottom of the hill and follow your nose until you reach Red Hill Road to your right. On that corner is Gordon Glass blower’s gallery. If you are lucky you might even get to see a live glass blowing demonstration.
When you have seen all the wonderful shapes and colours that only glass can give you, the Red Hill Road leads you straight into Red Hill on your way there you will not be able to nor should you, miss Port Phillip Estate on your left a new and stunning winery with amazing architecture - you have to go inside the cellar door to appreciate it and the amazing views. If they can fit you in - have lunch. Simon West is a great Chef and the dining experience is delicious. Red Hill shopping centre boasts a lovely little house shop which is worth a peak.
Last on your list continue down that road all the way to the T intersection and take a right. That will lead you into the seaside town of Flinders with the Flinders Fine Art Gallery. Head back to big blue backyard along Boneo Road - a fabulous drive offering all sorts of views.
