St Andrews Beach

Originally known as Capri Beach until the 1960s, St Andrews Beach is an elite holiday come residential community nestled among the sand dunes between Gunnamatta and Rye. Set alongside the wildly beautiful waters of Bass Strait, this popular year round surf spot forms part of a 35km stretch of beach from Cape Shanck to Portsea. With a breathtaking beach (although swimming is really at one’s peril), the area is also well known for its reliable breeze, rolling grassy hills, pristine sand dunes and exploring-worthy rock pools.

Treasures to discover

Upon stepping through the doors of Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery you will feel the cosy calm wash over you. A sanctuary for book lovers, Antipodes’ purpose is to find and champion stories – those that enrich our lives, those that surprise and those that delight. There are other treasures to discover at Antipodes, too: beautiful Australian craft, art and jewellery and carefully curated exhibitions. We love Antipodes because of its serendipitous nature; it’s a place to experience wonderful encounters and a refuge from the outside world. As Picasso once said ‘some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun’ - it doesn’t matter which one you are, you’ll find the right spot at Antipodes.

Yabby Lake Lunch

There’s nothing we love more than getting off the beaten track. Abby Lake is one of these destinations - frequented by many, yet tucked away and hidden from some, as they approach the Balnarring exit (off the Peninsula Link). These days, running a restaurant let alone winery on the Pen is highly competitive, with so many wonderful options on offer. It’s no longer just about offering great food and wine but rather the stories and experience behind the vineyard, and Yabby Lake has this in abundance. Is it exceptional hand crafted wines passed from winemaker to cellar door you are looking for?

20/20 A Sense of Place

From the tropical forests of Far North Queensland, to Aboriginal in-depth representations of Country, the lands of the Centre to the green hues and coastal views of the Mornington Peninsula, this year's summer exhibition at Whistlewood comprises the work of more than 40 leading landscape artists whose work explores a distinctive connection to place.

Picture-perfect backdrop in Dromana

Zac and Jacqui Poulier, established Stillwater at Crittenden in 2004. Both have extensive culinary experience in Melbourne, and around the world. After working and travelling the world together, they returned to the Pen and the rest as they say is history.

Harvested by hand in Red Hill

The Red Hill Lavender Farm & Distillery produces a small variety of exceptional & effective products containing only pure essential oils – it’ a dream come true for Kylie and Brad Crump and their daughters. Inspired by the beauty of Provence, they hand-planted fields of lavender.

Looking for inspiration

Spring is in the air and whilst we may encounter many sunny and warm days on the Pen the late afternoon and evenings are still cool. The Italians would say ‘primavera non ti scoprire’, meaning in Spring, don’t get undressed, yet, as you may still encounter cool days and if you’re looking for a beautiful cashmere wrap or light merino jumper to keep your warmth then head to Red Hill House (RHH).