A play 'n' stay at one of the peninsula's luxurious golf retreats gives friends and families a fantastic opportunity to get away. The area's natural topography of rolling coastal hills with magical views makes it a golf-lover's haven. Two of my favourites are
Peppers Moonah Links Resort in Fingal (near Rye) and the
Cape Schanck Resort in, you guessed in, Cape Schanck.
While the golf lovers can
slice, skull and sink a putt to their heart's content, others might soak up a luxury spa, enjoy a spot of tennis or a few laps in the pool.
Peppers Moonah Links Resort is one of Australia's finest golf resorts with luxury
accommodation, rolling hills, fabulous vistas, and an equally fabulous
endota spa to soothe away any tensions – or strains from any overly exuberant swings.
Most famous as the host of the 2005 Australian Open Championship, it's home to one of the longest courses in the country and combines two world-class, 18-hole championship golf courses.
Peppers is set amidst the most serene landscape and is super stylish. It's been constructed with natural timbers and clean design lines to complement the landscape and Moonah woodland. While you're there, dine at Pebbles Restaurant, which exceeded all of my (pretty high) expectations.
Hop on a mountain bike for a leisurely cycle taking in the expansive vistas, and perhaps head towards the crashing waves at Gunnamatta surf beach at the end of the road for an invigorating ride indeed.
Just 15 or so minutes away is the RACV's Cape Schanck Resort, also a fantastic play 'n' stay getaway, given it's set in a spectacular coastal environment with rooms and villas offering sweeping views of the lovely greens and the Southern Ocean.
The challenging 18-hole golf course is magnificent and the restaurant, featuring regional produce (very important for a good, gourmet getaway), is excellent. The
facilities offer plenty of opportunities for relaxation and fun, while a 4-kilometre jogging track is available for the energetically-inclined.
You'll receive a good discount on both accommodation and green fees if you're an RACV member, so remember to mention it when booking.
Both resorts are only about an hour's drive from Melbourne. Check out the map for Peppers
here, and map for the Cape Schanck Resort
here.
While you're on the
Mornington Peninsula, you can also make the most of plenty of fine food, picturesque wineries, peaceful bay and spectacular rugged coastline.
