Mount Martha

Just to the south of Mornington is the small village of Mount Martha; an ideal destination for those visitors seeking a scenic and less commercial holiday location where the surrounding bushland meets the coast.

The small village offers good shopping with designer stores, boutiques, galleries and tempting little eateries. Adjacent to the village is a foreshore reserve that offers an enjoyable boardwalk with an audio trail through the Balcombe Creek Wetlands - home to a rich selection bird life. The boardwalk follows the creek through to The Briars Park, known for its 1840s homestead, bushland and wetland trails with boardwalks that travel through the wetland, taking in several bird hides and providing very peaceful walks. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as wallabies and native birds.

Also of interest to nature lovers is Mount Martha Park which consists of 53 hectares of native bushland and walking trails surrounding the 160 metre peak of Mount Martha, offering panoramic views of the bay and towards Arthurs Seat.

Safe swimming beaches with wide sandy stretches exist just north and south of the villages and are lined with rows of much photographed colourful bathing boxes. However, much of the coast around Mount Martha typically consists of rocky cliffs with bushland up above, offering a number of walking tracks and scenic viewing spots.

A worthwhile drive is along the Esplanade - a coastal road linking Mount Martha with Mornington in the north and Safety Beach in the south. This hilly and winding road hugs the steep coastline, with views down to the bay on one side, while exclusive homes perched high above the coast feature on the other side. Another excellent 18 hole public golf course attracts golfers of all levels – the views of the bay are as good as the golf and gives golfers rural play amid a peaceful flora and fauna reserve.