littleglasspotsofolivesandsemi-driedtomatoes,charcuteriesand
cheesesandfreshlybakedwhitechocolatecookiesthataresogood
theybecomebeforesinsteadofafters.BackinthecarIsetoffto
explorethebestthispatchofMorningtonhastooffer,whichgoes
alittlesomethinglikethis...
REDHILL:TheareaofRedHillispopulatedbysomanywineries,
restaurantsandproducersthatanyexplorationwillbeastop-start
affairassmallclustersofshopfrontsalongShorehamRoadand
Mornington-FlindersRoadlureyouinwithwinestoresspecialising
inlocaldrops,interiorsstoresandcafesthatwouldlookequallyat
homeinoneofMelbourne’slaneways.
StopinatGreenOlivetopickupsweet-smellingbodyproducts
enrichedwithextravirginoliveoil,andifyouarearoundfrom
ThursdaytoSundaypayavisittoRedHillBreweryforitsSouthern
barbecueandcraftbrews.NextdoortoLindenderryatRedHill
Montaltooffersvisitorsacellardoor,casualdiningatPiazza,
award-winningfoodatMontaltoRestaurant(15GoodFoodChef’s
Hatssinceopeningin2002)andasculpturepark.
MERRICKS:SculptureisabigdrawcardatMerricks,wherethe
imposingPt.LeoEstatehasbeenwowingvisitorswithitslarge-scale
sculpturesandflavoursomediningexperienceatthehandsof
CulinaryDirectorPhilWood.Theestate’shulkingmodernconcrete
constructionhousesthePt.LeoRestaurant,cellardoorand
fine-diningLaura,whichhasdevelopedanenviablereputationinlightningtime,andis positioned within the grounds to make the most
oftheuninterrupted views out to Phillip Island; the Sculpture Park
offersuptwocircuits, one that takes 30 minutes and a more rambling
60-minutewalk.
Thedesignisequally cutting edge at Jackalope in nearby Merricks
North,wherethesleek hotel’s signature restaurant Doot Doot Doot
isanothermust-dodining experience.
ROSEBUDANDDROMANA: Apart from its rolling landscape of grape
vinesandsun-bleached bush, the Mornington Peninsula is also
celebratedfromitsbeaches and pretty seaside towns. Two of the best,
justashortdrivefrom Red Hill, are Dromana and Rosebud; the road
betweenthetowns(Point Nepean Road) stretches along the
coastline,presentinga vista of vintage bathing boxes and sand on one
sideandinterestingcafes and shops on the other, including the
irresistiblynamedPirate Style. At Rosebud you can park at the edge
ofthebeachandtake a stroll along the 300-metre-long Rosebud Pier,
beforetakingaseatat nearby Baro for a Mediterranean feast.
BackatLindenderry at Red Hill, I stroll the lovely grounds as
duckswaddlebyandrainbow lorikeets screech overhead, before
headingtodinnerinThe Dining Room; the late summer menu
includesamelt-in-the-mouth goat braised and crisped in brik pastry.
TomorrowI’llheadback past the giant silver garden gnome and get a
newfeelinginmystomach, a sinking one at leaving the hospitality of
theMorningtonPeninsula behind.CLOCKWISE
FROM LEFT:
Executive chef David
Green presents a seasonal
menu at Lindenderry in
Red Hill’s Dining Room;
Lunch with a view at
Montalto; A large scale
sculpture piece on show
in the Sculpture Park
at Pt. Leo Estate.102 AUSTRALIANTRAVELLER.COM
PHOTOGRAPHY: RHIANNON TAYLOR (LINDENDERRY DISH); ADRIAN LANDER (MONTALTO); ANSON SMART (SCULPTURE)