Relax on the beach by day and sample local wines by night in this bayside suburb on the Mornington Peninsula.
The charming bayside village of Dromana is a favoured destination for its safe swimming beaches, picturesque foreshore, rolling vineyards and surrounding bushland. Take in sweeping views of Port Phillip Bay to the northwest and the forested peak of Arthur’s Seat to the southeast.
Start your visit in Dromana with a walk down the coastal boulevard, Point Nepean Road. This commercial centre is populated with charming cafés, boutique clothing stores and plenty of fish and chip shops. Grab some snacks and head to the foreshore to relax on the grass or at the sheltered picnic areas. It’s also possible to embark on walking trails or camp in certain areas here. Wander out to Dromana Pier and look back on the beach to see the forested rise of Arthur’s Seat. Rent a kayak from the boat hire office on the boulevard and paddle around in the bay. You can also launch boats from the ramp at Anthony’s Nose. If it’s warm, cool off with a dip in the bay.
Check out Heronswood House and Gardens, a historic estate overlooking the waterfront. Established in 1871, Heronswood features a heritage house and sprawling gardens, both of which are open to visitors. You can enjoy seasonal and heirloom produce matched with local wines at the on-site restaurant.
Dromana and its neighboring suburb, Tuerong, are known for having over 20 different vintners, as well as lush vineyards. Get in contact with one of the vintners and organise a cellar-door visit. A good place to start is the Dromana Estate Winery, which also has a restaurant serving lunch 4 days a week.
As night falls, head to the Dromana 3 Drive-In, an open-air cinema complex that dates back to 1961. Watch blockbuster films on the big screens here most nights of the week and enjoy snacks and refreshment’s from Shel’s Diner. A second-hand and craft market operates here on Sundays during the summer months.
Dromana is approximately an 75 minutes’ drive from Melbourne. You can also reach Dromana by catching the train to Frankston and then connecting with a bus headed towards Portsea.
