Travel guide Bays and Peninsulas

TakeABreak Awards 2009 Winner, Budget Accommodation: Ebb Tide If your idea of ‘budget’ accommodation involves packing sleeping bags and sharing a bathroom with strangers, you’re in for a shock. The 2009 winner of the TakeABreak Budget Accommodation Award is Ebb Tide, a two-bedroom holiday home loaded with extras in Ocean Grove, Victoria. With attractive prices, a fully fenced backyard complete with private playground, plenty of room for a large family, and even a games room, this property offers value beyond belief. Located just 400 metres from Victoria’s Barwon River, and 1.3km from Main Ocean Grove Beach, Ebb Tide offers families, couples and friends the opportunity to experience a beach holiday with compact accommodation at less than the price of a typica... Read more

Rye, Victoria In a quiet location, close to Rye’s Bayside Beach, The Shell Croft is part of the Blue Moon cottages site, a group of three cottages in established gardens in the lovely seaside village of Rye. Overall rating?    Great, with excellent ambience and location What makes The Shell Croft different? When we arrived there was classical music playing, the cottage was warm and welcoming and all this, combined with the glow of the bedside lights and the complimentary bottle of wine, made us feel relaxed and welcome. Accommodation overview There are three bedrooms, two with queen-size beds and a third room with bunks (accessible via one of the queen bedrooms). Our bedroom was beautifully presented with a white cotton and embroidered doona cover and ... Read more

When we go on holiday we want to feel as though we have escaped the trappings of everyday life and taken time out in a place that is truly a step back from the hustle and bustle.  Tides at Sorrento gives you this feeling on arrival … perhaps it is the large windows that overlook the deck and fragrant ti trees, perhaps it is the eclectic mix of 50s and modern day furniture, or perhaps it is the ambience of Sorrento.  Whatever the reason, you will be glad you decided to holiday at Tides. Sorrento has long been a favourite holiday destination for Victorians and it is easy to see why, with its variety of beaches, fine buildings – many made of the local limestone, galleries, restaurants, dolphin cruises and shops … and all only 1.5 hours away from Melbourne. This... Read more

Rye, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, has long attracted visitors from far and wide and it is easy to see why… glorious views, sweeping beaches, a feeling of being away from it all and yet so close to all the delights that a sophisticated city like Melbourne has to offer.  “Henry Higgins” is the perfect place to make the most of Rye and all its attractions. This recently renovated two storey home is set among the privacy of tea trees and is situated on one of the highest points of Rye Back Beach, giving panoramic views of the Mornington Peninsula from Arthurs Seat to Cape Schanck Lighthouse.  It has five bedrooms and can sleep up to 13 people, making it the ideal getaway for families and friends, as everyone can sleep in comfort and privacy. Thre... Read more

The secret of a great holiday with the family is finding accommodation with all the comforts of home (or more!) in a location that offers something for everyone in the family.  Well, Rye on the Mornington Peninsula is a brilliant spot … close to the delights of Melbourne and yet far enough away to feel the cares of everyday life fade away.  And Rest @ Rye has everything you need to ensure that you can make the most of this great house – and the great location. Rest @ Rye is perfectly located on the bayside – making it great for kids, and is also close to the ocean beaches of Rye and Sorrento - and was fully renovated in 2006, with a new bathroom added, polished floorboards and a lovely light and bright colour scheme.  It is ideal for summer and winter r... Read more

Review – Howards Hill 101 Curzon Road, Boneo Cape Schanck  VIC Howards Hill B&B is the perfect place for the perfect break, and has something to suit almost everyone.  From the moment you arrive you will be filled with the serenity of the location in glorious Cape Schanck and the property is set in 30 acres amongst ancient grass trees and manna gums. Overall rating? Outstanding    What makes Howards Hill different? This is a property that offers so much… it is a farm stay, a B&B, has a self-contained barn and of course, the stables.  If you love horses, this is the place for you.  If you love gorgeous surrounds, this is the place for you.  If you love a place that lets you ‘feel the serenity’ - this is the ... Read more

Devon Park 710 Robinsons Road, Langwarrin Melbourne Victoria Close to the city but with the feeling of the bush. Overall rating? Outstanding What makes Devon Park different? This is a B&B with a difference; it offers the option of usual B&B accommodation along with continental breakfast provisions or a self-contained cottage, with cooked breakfast provisions.  It is well illuminated for those arriving at night and has a welcoming ambience.  The owners are quick to show where everything is and how it works, and then leave you to relax.  The property was built for the author Neville Shute and he wrote some of his most famous novels here, including “On the Beach”. Accommodation overview The cottage was originally built for Neville Shute’... Read more

"We have three Marine Sanctuaries and a Marine National Park in Port Phillip Bay and each, in i... Read more

"Fishing, sailing, diving, boating, canoeing, windsurfing and waterskiing… when it comes to water sports, Western Port is the perfect place to visit." Taffy Evans, Bays Ranger, Western Port. Western Port is a waterway which forms an extensive tidal bay covering 680 square kilometres. The Bunurong Aboriginal people lived in the area for tens of thousands of years, enjoying the range of shellfish, Mutton birds and plant life with which it abounds. Today, the area has a diverse range of experiences, satisfying both nature lovers and adventure seekers. According to Taffy Evans, a Bays Ranger at Western Port, "it is the best training ground in the world for sailing and navigational training because the islands create a number of arms to the waters of Western Port. Tida... Read more

"Spectacular and often breathtaking coastlines, bushwalking, rockpooling and exploring the rich... Read more