ON MELBOURNE'S ICONIC MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Looking for a beach getaway near Melbourne? I recommend a Dromana beach holiday for a few days or more, to relax on the lovely sandy beach, swim in the clear blue sea and explore all the area has to offer.
Dromana is one of the many gorgeous bayside towns on Victoria’s stunning Mornington Peninsula, where Melbournians flock to in droves over the Summer months of December to February. The Peninsula is the iconic beach escape for locals fleeing the city to unwind, play and explore a myriad of exciting things in the region.
Overlooking Port Phillip Bay, the suburb of Dromana is a perfect holiday destination, centrally located along the Western coast of the Mornington Peninsula, making it a convenient place to stay with easy accessibility to all places of interest along the coast and inland.
I have enjoyed holidaying in Dromana many times over the years, as a resident of Melbourne often seeking to escape the city. And I continue to do so regularly because I love it here.
So, I’ve spent quite a lot of time discovering the area and nearby beach towns. There is something here for everyone to enjoy and I‘m sure a Dromana beach holiday will delight you.
Dromana
Dromana lies between the suburbs of Safety Beach and Arthurs Seat, approximately one hour from Melbourne‘s central business district, easily accessible via freeway by car or public bus.
It has long been a popular seaside holiday destination, since 1881 in fact, shortly after settlement of the area.
It is sheltered from the elements somewhat due to the natural landscape where the mountain meets the sea and a little cove within the bay.
Dromana attracts beach goers for its expansive foreshore, colourful bathing boxes, clear blue water, quaint pier, covered picnic facilities, grassed parkland, and of course, lovely clean sand.
Dromana beach is 3 km long, so you’ll find plenty of space to throw down your towel. However, it does get a little crowded in the peak of the Summer holiday period, December and January.
It is one of the best beaches for swimming, with shallow water and waves which aren’t usually rough, making it ideal for families with young children.
Water sports
Water activities to enjoy all along the coast include, paddle boarding, canoeing, jet skiing, fishing, yachting, snorkelling, surfing and anything else you wish to do. Rental equipment is available, as are instructors and guides for whatever water sports you wish to partake in.
Jet skis are available for hire with Jetlet in Rye.
You can hire a SUP or kayak from Peninsula Paddle Co in Dromana.
The nearest boat hire from Dromana for fishing or boating is available from Rosebud Boat Hire.
If you bring your own boat, there is a boat ramp located at Anthony’s Nose in Dromana.

Dromana beach has plenty of amenities seaside, including a playground, covered picnic facilities, a foreshore park with grass area, ample free parking, and shops across the road, with restaurants, cafes, bars, ice cream shops and supermarket.
Dromana beach is perfect for day trips with family and friends of all ages.



Accommodation
At Dromana and neighbouring suburbs, such as McCrae, Rosebud, Rye, Safety Beach and Mount Martha, you will find accommodation if you’re planning to stay a few days or longer.
Different types of rental accommodation available include big and small homes, apartments, motels, resorts and there are also caravan parks.
Camping is allowed on foreshores in designated areas on the Mornington Peninsula.
Where to stay in Dromana
Here are some recommendations on where to stay in Dromana.
- Dromana Beach Getaway Motel
- Dromana Holiday and Lifestyle Village holiday park with pool.
- Dromana High on Hillside has view of the Bay.
On one of my Dromana beach holidays, my family and I stayed at one of the highest points on the Mornington Peninsula, approximately 300m above sea level at a delightful house, with spectacular views of the Bay. The property had a rather long steep, meandering driveway, and it resembled a nature park, with kangaroos frolicking on the property.
We were able to accommodate 10 people comfortably at this house and friends popped in to stay a night or three! It was a magnificent location for a beachside holiday in Dromana.

This large beach house had excellent amenities, including a yard, indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and huge balconies from which to enjoy the panoramic views.
Night time views were nothing short of spectacular, with city lights crowning the coastline.

Waking up to this spectacular view in the mornings was like a dream. I really didn’t want to leave the house and would have been quite happy relaxing here the whole time.

And what better way to enjoy the view than with a glass of Australian wine, of course.

Things to do in Dromana and nearby areas
A whole week’s stay gave us ample time to explore attractions in Dromana, aside from the beach and water activities.
Some of the delightful things to see and do in Dromana are:
- Dromana Pier.
- Multicoloured Beach Boxes on foreshore, 240 of them in Dromana.
- Mornington Peninsula Bay Trail.
- Arthurs Seat Eagle chair lift.
- Arthurs Seat Look Out, the highest point in the Mornington Peninsula.
- Dromana Market, 4th Saturday every month.
- Dromana Drive-In Theatre.
- Dromana wineries, such as Crittenden Winery, Trofeo Estate, Dromana Estate Winery, and Hickingbotham of Dromana, many with cellar doors and dining.
- Restaurants & Cafes, such as Pilgrim Dining, Zero 95 Pizza Bar, Two Buoys, and Jetty Road Brewery, to name a few I personally recommend in Dromana.

In neighbouring suburbs on the Mornington Peninsula there are many more things to explore, which are all just a short drive from Dromana. Some of the best things to do in the region are:
- Peninsula Hot Springs and Day Spa.
- Excellent shopping precincts in Main Road, Mornington and Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento.
- Historical sites at Sorrento First Settlement, Cape Schanck Light House, and Mornington Pier.
- Many outstanding wineries throughout the Peninsula, such as Main Ridge Estate in Red Hill, Point Leo Estate in Merricks, Montalto in Redhill, and Ten Minutes By Tractor in Main Ridge.
- Craft Breweries, Cideries and Distilleries, such as St Andrews Beach Brewery, Hart’s Farm Cidery and Jimmy Rum Distillery.
- Fabulous restaurants, such as Portsea Pub in Portsea, Itali.Co in Sorrento, The Rocks in Mornington, and Baro Mediterranean Restaurant in Rosebud.
- Sorrento to Queenscliff Searoad Ferry, boarding from Sorrento Pier.
- Ashcombe Maze and gardens in Shoreham.
- Montalto sculpture trail in Red Hill South.
- Mornington Market, every Wednesday on Main Road.
- Over a dozen top Golf Courses on the Mornington Peninsula – Moonah Links, Rosebud Country Club, RACV Cape Schanck Resort, just to name a few.

So if you haven’t been to the region yet, take a drive from Melbourne and come and spend some time on the Peninsula.
I suggest staying a while, either at Dromana, or one of the other seaside suburbs, so you can explore some of the awesome things the Mornington Peninsula has to offer.
It really is the perfect getaway from Melbourne.
Many people spend end of year holidays here, Easter or long weekends. Or simply enjoy a day trip to one of the fantastic beaches, a winery or two, or indulge in a little pampering at the hot springs.
Whatever you decide to do here, I’m sure you’ll have a truly memorable time.
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