Sorrento

Melbourne

Sorrento showing watersports and a sandy beach
Sorrento
Sorrento which includes heritage elements
Sorrento Front Beach showing heritage elements
Sorrento featuring shopping as well as a small group of people

With a pretty bay on one side and rugged ocean on the other, this heritage seaside town is ideal for exploring the coast, seeing local art and spotting dolphins.

The historic town of Sorrento is an idyllic destination on the Mornington Peninsula in an impressive position overlooking scenic coastline. Take in stunning coastal views on two sides in Sorrento, either from the rugged Sorrento Back Beach, which looks out to Bass Strait, or from the pretty beaches and coves of Port Phillip Bay. Explore the township to find intriguing galleries, charming cafés, boutiques and relics of Australia’s early European settlement.

Sorrento marks the spot where the first European settlement was established in Victoria, 30 years before settlement began in Melbourne. Visit the Collins Settlement Historic Site and check out the Nepean Historical Society Museum to learn more about the area’s past.

Spend a day relaxing and watching yachts and ferries sailing around Port Phillip Bay from Sorrento’s bay beaches, which extend in both directions from the pier. Get some fish and chips or homemade gelato from the foreshore shops and go for a stroll along the beach, keeping an eye out for bottlenose dolphins in the bay. Explore Sorrento’s heritage limestone stores and shop for handcrafted artworks, souvenirs and locally designed clothing.

Kayak and boat tours depart regularly from Sorrento’s pier. Join a sightseeing cruise or jump in a kayak and explore the bay. Some boat tours include snorkelling trips with wild dolphins and fur seals. Experienced surfers can carve up the surf breaks along the rugged and rocky Sorrento Back Beach. Embark on one of the walking trails that wind though dense coastal bush to rocky outcrops facing Bass Strait or take in bay views with a round of golf at the Sorrento Golf Club.

Sorrento is a 2-hour drive from Melbourne along the scenic coastal Nepean Highway. The Mornington Peninsula Freeway is a faster route and incurs a small toll. You can also catch the train to Frankston station and connect with a bus to Sorrento, but the journey can take up to 3 hours. Reach Sorrento from Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula with the Searoad Ferry. Avoid city traffic, park your car in the ferry’s hull and enjoy bay views throughout the 40-minute journey.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Sorrento

InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula by IHG

InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula by IHG

5 out of 5
23 Constitution Hill Road, Sorrento, VIC
The price is P11,266 per night from Sep 21 to Sep 22
P11,266
P12,392 total
Sep 21 - Sep 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (101 reviews)
"Room was nice and clean but the chromecast did not work in our room"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula by IHG
Sorrento Beach Motel

Sorrento Beach Motel

3.5 out of 5
780 Melbourne Rd, Sorrento, VIC
The price is P5,654 per night from Aug 28 to Aug 29
P5,654
P6,220 total
Aug 28 - Aug 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star motel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (869 reviews)
"Great location, comfortable and clean"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Sorrento Beach Motel
Carmel at Sorrento

Carmel at Sorrento

4 out of 5
142 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, VIC
The price is P16,498 per night from Aug 28 to Aug 29
P16,498
P18,148 total
Aug 28 - Aug 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 meeting rooms. Popular attractions Manyung Gallery at Sorrento ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (41 reviews)
"Amazing value for money, a real hidden gem, fantastic decor, comfortable, the after hours service was excellent and can't thank/acknowledge them enough"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Carmel at Sorrento
RACV Cape Schanck Resort

RACV Cape Schanck Resort

5 out of 5
Trent Jones Drive, Cape Schanck, VIC
The price is P7,833 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P7,833
P8,616 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (928 reviews)
Will be back again.. and again…
"Always a pleasure staying at RACV Cape Schank 🤘 Great base for a few days away from town and exploring the Mornington Peninsular!"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

RACV Cape Schanck Resort
Peppers Moonah Links Resort

Peppers Moonah Links Resort

4 out of 5
55 Peter Thomson Drive, Fingal, VIC
The price is P8,036 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
P8,036
P8,840 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a golf course. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

Peppers Moonah Links Resort
Mornington Hotel

Mornington Hotel

4 out of 5
917 Nepean Highway, Mornington, VIC
The price is P5,396 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P5,396
P5,935 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (848 reviews)
"Clean and spacious rooms, staff were very friendly on checkin. Only downside was the noise overnight coming from the construction going on across the road on Tanti Ave."

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2025

Mornington Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Sorrento

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Blairgowrie

Beaches, cafes, and spas are just a few things travelers enjoy about Blairgowrie. Check out Blairgowrie Beach or Rye Beach while you're exploring the area.

Blairgowrie
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Rye

Beaches, spas, and hot springs highlight some of the noteworthy features of Rye. Make a stop by Rye Beach or The Dunes Golf Links while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Rye
Rosebud showing a sandy beach

Rosebud

Unique features of Rosebud include the golf courses and hot springs. Make a stop by Rosebud Beach or Arthurs Seat State Park while you're exploring the area.

Rosebud
Dromana which includes hiking or walking and general coastal views as well as a large group of people

Dromana

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Dromana. You might want to make time for a stop at Dromana Beach or Heronswood Garden.

Dromana
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Mount Martha

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Mount Martha. You might want to make time for a stop at Mount Martha Beach North or Mount Martha Beach South.

Mount Martha
Mornington featuring signage

Mornington

Spas, restaurants, and beaches are some highlights of Mornington. Make a stop by Mornington Park or Mornington Country Golf Course while you're exploring.

Mornington

Sorrento