Mesmerising Mornington

Having been to Melbourne twice – the first time as a backpacker and another time on my honeymoon, both experiences were vastly different – I decided to venture out of the city when I was in Melbourne last month. So I booked a full-day tour to the Mornington Peninsula, which includes a visit to Nedlands Lavender Farm, Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm and Ashcombe Maze and Water Gardens.

Originally known as Anchor Point, the Mornington Peninsula is situated between the scenic Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay. Just an hour’s drive from the city, I soon realized why this beautiful place is such a popular holiday escapade among the locals and tourists alike. The spectacular coastal scenery of the Peninsula region is almost breathtaking, not to mention the lush green hills, picturesque vineyards and the long stretch of white, sandy beaches dotted with colourful beach cottages and swaying palm trees. It’s truly a beautiful sight to behold, like a piece of Mediterranean paradise outside Melbourne. And the best way to appreciate such splendour beauty is to take the Arthurs Seat Scenic Chairlift which gives a bird’s eye view of the magnificent Peninsula region and Port Phillip Bay.

There is no lack of activity to do at the Mornington Peninsula. If you are a wine connoisseur, you must visit at least one of its 170 vineyards and taste the Peninsula’s famed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. But if you’re no wine lover, there is the Nedlands Lavender Farm where you can learn a thing or two about how lavender is grown, harvested and processed into essential oils, skincare products and even lavender biscuits, tea and chocolates. To me, wandering through the scented lavender fields and sniffing at the different varieties of lavender plants is the highlight of the Mornington trip.


Another must-visit farm is the Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm – said to be Australia’s largest strawberry producer. It’s a sure delight for both adults and children as you get to pick your own strawberries fresh from the fields. Do wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you will have to squat down frequently and walk on the slightly uneven strawberry fields. Besides strawberries, they also grow cherries and raspberries. After a rather backbreaking but satisfying experience filling up my tub with big ripe strawberries, I was really glad to take a rest at the café that serves homemade strawberry ice-cream, berries food products and their award-winning fruit liqueurs. The best time to visit the strawberry farm is during the harvest season between November and April.

If you love gardens and have never navigated a maze garden, a trip to the Ashcombe Maze and Water Gardens, Australia’s oldest hedge maze with the world’s first circular rose maze, will leave you a refreshingly memorable experience. If you are not too keen in navigating the maze, there is the enchanting water garden with gushing fountains and colourful flower beds that is so pretty it looks like it comes straight from a fairy tale storybook. And don’t leave the place without trying their homemade chicken pie at The Maze Café. It’s absolutely delicious and I must say the best chicken pie I’ve ever tasted!

Those who have a penchant for art and heritage will be glad to know there are hidden treasures to be discovered at the many art galleries and antique shops on the Mornington Peninsula. Or if you prefer the great outdoors, you are definitely spoilt for choice as there are several options to select from: horseback beach rides; swim with the dolphins and seals in Port Phillip Bay; bushwalking in one of their bush lands and national parks; take an eco-tour to French Island to cuddle up close with the koalas, wombats and other wildlife; or simply take a leisure cruise for some dolphin watch.

And if you want to have some self-pampering after all the outdoor activities, there is no better place than the Peninsula Hot Springs, said to be the only natural hot springs in Victoria, Australia. Soaking in their therapeutic hot mineral springs baths and complete with a rejuvenating massage or beauty treatment must be every woman’s dream indulgence, and what better way to round up this mesmerising Mornington trip!

Freewheeling Perth

Compared to Sydney and Melbourne, I find the pace of city life in Perth a lot more relaxed on a recent trip there. This metropolitan city in Western Australia, with its population of about 1.3 million, still retains much of its old world charms in many of its historic buildings, a must-visit is Fremantle – touted to be the world’s best preserved 19th century seaport.

Located on the mouth of the Swan River, this beautiful port city, also affectionately known as ‘Freo’ to the locals, boasts an artistic ambience and colonial heritage architecture with its many alfresco cafes, restaurants, art galleries and of course, the popular Fremantle Markets. Make sure you arrange your vacation to include the weekends as the colourful markets bustle with activities from Fridays to Sundays. It will definitely satisfy the shopping bug in you with its many interesting stalls and quirky finds. When you’re tired from the shopping, just stop by a café and order a cup of freshly brewed coffee or an ice-cream, and catch some street performances. I recommend you try the fish and chips here too. It’s very fresh and absolutely one of the best I’ve tasted! A great way to admire the beautiful Fremantle port is to take the scenic Captain Cook Cruise from Fremantle back to the Perth city. You can watch the lovely sunset as you sip a glass of the Australian fine wine on the cruise.

For the shopaholics who are also food-lovers, Subiaco is one hip place you do not want to miss. It’s known for its designer boutiques, fine art galleries, and many alfresco cafes and restaurants selling fusion food and other international cuisines. If you like weekend markets, the Station Street Markets which is just a stone’s throw from the Subiaco train station, and the nearby Subiaco Pavilion Markets are just up your alley.

Even if you don’t drive, getting around in Perth city is relatively easy as you can take the TransPerth train from the suburbs to the city. Within Perth city, you can catch free CAT (Central Area Transit) buses to some of the tourists spots.

One of the main shopping hubs in Perth city is London Court. Built in 1937 as a residential and commercial premises for wealthy gold miners, the place is now a unique, Victorian-style retail walkway lined with many specialty boutiques and some cafes. I was pleasantly surprised to discover some rare finds in this shop named Proost, which sells all sorts of jams, dips, sauces, olive oils and some lavender skincare products from the Margaret River. Some of you may be thrilled to find collectible dolls and handmade designer bears in assorted clothing in this shop Meem’s. You will have lots of varieties to choose from. For those with a penchant for hats and accessories, do drop by the shop Passchendales; or if you are a die-hard chocolate lover, John Walker Chocolatier has plenty to offer.

When you’re in Perth city, you may want to visit the Hay Street and Murray Street Malls, where you can find the bigger departmental stores like David Jones and Myers. Prices there are not cheap, though. And if you prefer bargain finds and some quirky buys, try the smaller shops at nearby Piccadilly and Plaza Arcades.

Some people swear by designer brands and are always on the lookout for big sale and discounts on their favourite brands. I’m not a fan of designer brands, but I do find Harbour Town Outlets, a 2-storey shopping hub where you can get designer brands at up to 60 percent discount, very alluring indeed. You can find diversified brands like Ed Harry and Roger David for men’s wear; Country Road and Olga Berg for ladies’ bags; Fila, Nike and Esprit outlets for sports wear; Valley Girl Factory Outlet and Table Nine for ladies’ fashion; Sheridan Factory Outlet for bedlinen and homeware, just to name a few. Spend at least half a day here and go through all the outlets leisurely, you will definitely find some great buys to add to your designer collections.

Ok, enough of shopping. Let’s do some sightseeing.

If it’s your first time in Perth, the best way to get a quick tour of the laidback but beautiful city is to hop onto the City Explorer tram, and it will bring you around some of the interesting historic sites like Kings Park, the Swan Bells Tower, Perth Mint, and Perth’s signature Burswood Entertainment Complex and Casino.

If you have more time in Perth, you can rent a car or book a day tour to renowned attractions like the spectacular Pinnacles – a unique desert created out of rare geological formation. The 11-hour drive up to the Pinnacles may be a bit exhausting, but the breathtaking scenery of nature’s beauty is surely worth the trip.

For the wine connoisseurs, you wouldn’t want to leave Perth without visiting the Swan Valley – just 20 minutes away from Perth and well-known for its award-winning wines. The wine tour will enable you to visit some of the beautiful vineyards and wineries, where you get to taste different varieties of Australia’s finest wines, and even buy back some liqueur chocolates from the chocolate factory there.

If you are a nature-lover, another great getaway is the Rottnest Island, named after the native marsupials called ‘Quokkas’ which look like the cute version of rats and are commonly found on the island. Here, you can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, hike or cycle around the island. Or simply laze by the pristine beaches and watch the world go by.

The best time to holiday in Perth is during spring from September to November, or autumn from March to May. Summertime is too hot as the temperature can rise up to 40 degree Celsius!

Looking back on this Perth vacation, I must say the memories that still linger on are not so much the shopping sprees that my aunt brought me on the few days I was there. It was the lovely smell of the lavender and rose plants in the back garden of my aunt’s little cottage house, the companionship with my aunt watching back-to-back CSI TV shows till late at night and of course, the most unforgettable fish and chips I’ve ever tasted in my life!