Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula (VIC)
Just back from a weekend with two other couples at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort. It’s an hour and a half by freeway from Melbourne, Victoria. It meant an early start as the guys were teeing off at 10.30am. Luckily the fog cleared just a few kilometres away from the coast, so the guys didn’t have too much trouble spotting their golf balls. The Robert Trent Jones-designed course is ranked one of the top 100 courses in Australia with huge greens with large open bunkers, tree-lined fairways and spectacular ocean views on eleven holes of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean beyond. And don’t be surprised if you spot a kangaroo or two as you play the course. The resort is ideally positioned at the southern-most tip of the Mornington Peninsula for a weekend of wine tasting, exploring country markets, walking the Bushrangers Bay trail along the rugged shoreline, or lazing in your room, gazing out across the fairways or the cliff tops. The Resort boasts beautifully manicured grounds with a four-kilometre jogging track, horizon-edge outdoor heated pool and spa, sauna, recreation room, gym, tennis courts and driving range as well as its 18-hole, par 70, championship golf course.
It was a little cool for the ladies to be tempted with the pool or the beaches and we had “done” the markets before – we had other shopping in mind! Cape Schanck is only 15 minutes away from the cute little town of Sorrento with its main street absolutely crammed with top quality clothing and homeware stores, not to mention the variety of cafes and restaurants to sustain the weary shopper! In fact the guys finished their round of golf well before we finished the shops!
Back at our rooms at the resort, we spent some time admiring the views of not only the ocean, but of the National Golf Club next door, from the balcony of our Ocean View unit. There are also executive suites and villas nestled in amongst the bushland bordering the fairways. There was just enough time for a late afternoon cuppa and a snooze before getting ready for dinner at the resort restaurant. The restaurant offers innovative and classic dishes showcasing fresh local seasonal produce and a good range of international and local wines. We were all very impressed and satisfied with our choices.
Next morning the same venue hosted a fantastic buffet breakfast with a huge variety of options and a great view across the fairways. The guys managed to sneak in another 9 holes while the ladies had a sleep-in.
Then we were all off to some of the wonderful wineries the peninsula has to offer. We called in at Main Ridge Estate and sampled many of their wines, particularly enjoying the sparkling white done in the same style as Champagne, made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes. Their cool climate Shiraz was not too bad either.
Next we called in to Eldridge Estate for its pretty good Pinot Noir and lastly a great little place called Foxy’s Hangout! Not only is their wine very good, but the tapas style lunch platters really hit the spot.
All in all, a great little holiday weekend!
Related articles
- 2010 Paringa Estate Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula, Australia (vinsiders.net)
- Breathe in the world’s cleanest air at Cape Schanck (travelswithjaye.com)
- Why you need to Consider Mornington Peninsula Tours (culturaltourisme.blogspot.com)
