Blairgowrie Sorrento Portsea

blairgowrie SORRENTO

PHOTO: STEVE BROWN

Come to the tip of the Peninsula, the part of the world where land and sea come together in perfect harmony. From the limestone corridors of Sorrento’s history-laden buildings to the foreshore where holidaymakers have played by Port Phillip for years, visit once and you’ll want to stay for ever. Boatloads of pleasure-seekers from Melbourne have been coming since in the early 1900s, up from the paddle steamers to a town where wandering up and down in your finery was the main attraction. Now you will find glamorous shopping, high-end dining and cafes of all descriptions. Take in the view from Hotel Sorrento, and you simply must grab an icecream from Mubble. Drive a little further to Portsea and find French cuisine sitting right alongside the white sand of Portsea front beach.

From the sparkling front beaches to the rugged coastal ridges and rock pools of Bass Strait, visitors still dare to dream of a lifestyle full of sun, surf and sand and the sampling of Peninsula-grown and crafted cuisine that stands alone on the world stage.

portsea

PHOTO: STEVE BROWNPHOTO: STEVE BROWN

From holiday shacks to grand residences, this resort-style region still attracts seasonal partygoers, beachcombers and fine-diners alike. Hospitality is exactly what it says it is: meet and greet restaurateurs, providores and paddock-to-plate innovators serving up their best throughout the seasons, whether you’re at the pub watching the sun sink or at an intimate dining destination. Come visit this land of sweet treats by the bay, the place where the back beach churns, the ferry roams and the dolphins play.

Hotel Sorrento 117 Le Capucin 116 Mubble 119

Le Capucin

Portsea locals are lucky. Husband and wife team Loïc and Kirsty have brought the pointy end of the Mornington Peninsula to life with excellent coffee, Noisette pastries, and French fare worth travelling for at their café, Le Capucin.

Loïc was born in the southwest of France and grew up seeing his parents make their own pâté, sausages, stocks, and sauces in the French tradition. He’s always loved food and being a host and uses many of his family’s recipes at Le Capucin. Kirsty says: “Just because Le Capucin is French doesn’t mean we’re fancy. It’s like you’re going to Loïc’s family home. It’s about sharing food and being together.” The friendly Le Cap crew greet you with “Bonjour”, and that’s just the beginning of their genuine hospitality. The excellent housemade French food lends itself to being taken away for a picnic on the beach or enjoyed at a table on the café’s covered terrace.

When croque monsieur is on the menu, it’s made to order and well worth the extra time. The tourte maison (homemade pies) are renowned at the Peninsula’s southern end. Will it be beef bourguignon or free-range chicken and leek? The dishes reflect the seasons with housemade soups in winter and salads in summer. Tasty baguettes are made fresh daily. Stocks simmered for 16 hours become the base for many sauces and take-home meals, available fresh or frozen, so you can keep a taste of Le Capucin on hand. Superbe! Opening hours: daily 8am-3pm.

Hotel Sorrento

150 years on, it's the little details that make your experience at the luxuriously appointed Hotel Sorrento such a big deal. Break the stress cycle, reconnect and immerse yourself in the Mornington Peninsula wellbeing region, with a daily breakfast hamper delivered to your room for sleeping beauties, dinner for two in our waterfront restaurant, or champagne and oysters al fresco style in one of three outdoor bars with vistas overlooking the stunning Port Phillip Bay. And what brings people back, year upon year? It's the undeniable old-world charm, exceptional hospitality experiences, the friendly face and the pull of consistent excellence, the sum of Hotel Sorrento's parts the difference between a place to visit and a place in your heart. After a three-year redevelopment, Hotel Sorrento will unveil its new wellness facilities, day spa, 25m lap pool, luxury suites and conference facilities in 2022. Designed by Six Degrees architecture and Jack Merlo landscape architects, the development will create a true lifestyle resort destination. "We are aiming for a relaxed coastal resort feel, appealing to both the leisure and corporate markets," says Bridget Bailey, Operations Manager. Launching in the summer of 2022 will coincide with 150 years since Hotel Sorrento's establishment. "This is a significant milestone for the business," says Rob Pitt, who has owned and operated the Hotel for over 40 years. The third-generation family business has been built on warmth and quality service, which will be key to the success of the new areas.

Whether it be business or leisure, Hotel Sorrento is most certainly an iconic destination on the Mornington Peninsula. Open 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day)

Mubble

For almost 3o years Mubble has been serving joy in the form of handcrafted ice-cream and sorbet. This family-owned and operated business is all about excellence – and making people happy. From grandparents who are young at heart to toddlers in prams, the customers show ice-cream is a universal pleasure across all ages.

With more than 150 flavours in Mubble’s repertoire, the hardest part will be choosing. Will it be a classic? Think vanilla bean, hazelnut, or chocolate. Or something a little unexpected, like licorice, lemon meringue or caramelised fig and balsamic? The rainbow of flavours on display varies with the seasons. Fruity and fresh sorbets are dairyfree, and there’s plenty of vegan options and gluten-free scoops. If you want to skip the queue, order online. Mubble is known for more than its supreme sorbet and ice-cream; it’s also the place in Sorrento and Rye for well-made smoothies and freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. On colder days, hot jam doughnuts or churros cooked to order are the go. And while enjoying an ice-cream after the beach or a wander along the main street is the thing to do, you can also take a selection home in Mubble’s take-home packs. If you’re having an event, Mubble wants an invite! Their custom ice-cream cart brings a sweet and playful touch to any occasion. Opening hours: daily from 10am-11pm over summer; off-season Sunday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-9pm. Visit website for more details.