Ultimate Peninsula Adventure: Stand Up Paddle, Hot Springs, Hike, Lunch & Winery

Mornington Peninsula days do not get much more varied than this: you start on the water, walk to a secluded beach, eat a picnic, soak in hot springs and finish with wine. I like the mix of active and restful stops, and the fact that lunch, SUP gear, bathing entry and transport are bundled into one day.

The main trade-off is the pace: this is a nine-hour outing with a SUP session and guided hike, not a leisurely winery visit. You’ll need moderate fitness, and the optional lockers and gowns at the hot springs cost extra.

• Look for dolphins from your paddleboard: SUP instruction and equipment are included on Port Phillip Bay, where local pods may appear.
• Walk to coastal rock pools: A guided bushwalk heads to a secluded beach along the southern coast.
• Eat a local-produce picnic: Lunch, coffee and tea are part of the day, served at a beach viewpoint.
• Soak at Peninsula Hot Springs: Entry and bathing are included after the active part of the outing.
• Finish with a winery tasting: Wine tasting at Kerri Greens Winery caps the day.
• Travel in a group of up to nine: The small maximum leaves room for a more personal outing and unhurried conversation.

A full peninsula day, from sea to soak

This tour brings together several of the peninsula’s best-known pleasures without asking you to plan separate transport, meals and bookings. The sequence matters: paddle and hike while you’re fresh, stop for a picnic, then give your legs a rest in the hot springs before heading to the winery.

The day starts at 8:00 am at McCrae Lighthouse, and the experience lasts about nine hours. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned WAM van, described as a comfortable retreat on wheels. Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting point is the lighthouse, so confirm your pickup details before setting out.

The group is capped at nine people. That is a useful size for a day with several transitions: you are not trying to keep up with a large coach group, and a small party can make it easier to hear the guide and settle into the quieter stops. The guide is named Nick in one account and Nic in another, so you may see either spelling.

The tone sounds more relaxed than regimented. Nic is described as giving people space to talk or enjoy quiet while still keeping the group on schedule. That balance is especially helpful on a full-day tour: you want enough structure to reach each stop, but not a guide narrating every moment.

Starting on Port Phillip Bay

Your first major activity is a stand up paddleboarding lesson and tour on Port Phillip Bay. The setting is a sandy beach near the peninsula’s iconic bathing boxes, adding a distinctly local backdrop before you even get on the water.

SUP equipment and instruction are included, which makes this more approachable if you have not paddled before. The outing is still active, though, and the tour asks participants to have a moderate level of fitness. The supplied details do not specify the paddle’s length or a skill requirement, so if you have concerns about balance or exertion, ask the operator before booking.

Keep an eye out for local dolphins. They are a possibility, not a promise, and the bay itself is reason enough to go: you get a close view of the shoreline from the water rather than simply passing it from a road.

Practical touches make this stop easier. Reef-safe sunscreen and reusable water bottles are provided, and you do not need to bring your own paddleboard or related equipment. Pack clothing you are comfortable getting wet in, and remember that the supplied towel service is useful later at the springs as well.

Walking the southern coast

After the paddle, the group heads to the southern coastline for a guided bushwalk. The walk leads to a secluded beach with rock pools, a change of pace from the open bay and the more developed beach setting near the bathing boxes.

The appeal here is not just the destination. A guided walk lets you focus on the coast and its details instead of navigating on your own, while the guide can keep the outing moving within the day’s schedule. The route is described as a bushwalk, but no distance, duration or grade is provided. If you have mobility limits or are unsure about the effort, check with the operator rather than assuming it is an easy stroll.

The itinerary also includes Mornington Peninsula National Park and Arthurs Seat State Park, so the day takes in more than one coastal and natural area. The exact order and time spent at each are not specified, which is worth bearing in mind if you are hoping for a long independent hike or a deep visit to any single park. This is a sampler of the peninsula, not a dedicated trekking trip.

Picnic lunch with a coastal view

Once the hike is done, you stop at a beach viewpoint for a picnic lunch. The meal features fresh local produce and refreshments, with coffee and tea included. That makes the pause more than a quick snack break: it is a chance to sit down, refuel and take in the coast before the afternoon’s slower activities.

Having lunch organized is a real advantage on a day with several stops. You do not need to find a café, wait for service or leave the group to get food, and the picnic gives the schedule a natural breathing space. The exact menu is not listed, so do not count on a particular dish or dietary accommodation without checking in advance.

Water is supplied in reusable bottles for the day. If you have specific dietary needs, contact Wild Adventures Melbourne before booking to confirm what can be accommodated. The tour includes lunch, but the details provided do not name the menu or list dietary options.

Unwinding at Peninsula Hot Springs

The hot springs are the day’s most restorative stop, and bathing entry is included in the tour price. After paddling and walking, the warm pools offer a welcome chance to slow down and give your body a break before the final winery visit.

Towels are provided, so there is one less bulky item to pack. Lockers and gowns are not included, however, and are available as optional extras. You may want to budget for them if you prefer to secure your belongings or use a gown between bathing areas. The tour details do not specify how long you will spend at the springs, so treat this as a planned visit rather than assuming you will have an entire afternoon there.

The springs also make this tour appealing to people who want outdoor activity without signing up for an all-day endurance test. You do paddle and hike, but the hot springs are built into the same itinerary as a proper rest stop. If your ideal holiday day includes both effort and a long soak, this combination fits neatly.

Ending with a tasting at Kerri Greens Winery

The final stop is Kerri Greens Winery, where wine tasting is included. It is a laid-back finish to a day that has already moved between water, bush and coast. You get a taste of the peninsula’s wine scene without needing to arrange a separate driver or fit another booking into your schedule.

The tasting is a feature of the package, but the exact wines, number of samples and time at the winery are not stated. If wine is the main reason you are considering the outing, note that this is one part of a broad day rather than a winery-focused tour. The value lies in getting a taste of several sides of the peninsula, not in lingering at the cellar door for hours.

Because the tour includes alcoholic beverages, plan to enjoy the tasting responsibly. Transport for the day is provided in the WAM van, and the experience ends back at the meeting point.

What the $207.28 price covers

At $207.28 per person, this is best judged as a bundled day out rather than a single activity. The price includes air-conditioned transport, a SUP lesson and tour with equipment, a guided hike, lunch, coffee and tea, hot springs entry and bathing, wine tasting, towels, reef-safe sunscreen, reusable bottles, and fees and taxes.

Individually arranging those elements would take time and could add up, especially once you include transport between the bay, walking areas, springs and winery. The tour also handles the order of activities, which is part of its value: you can spend the day doing the experiences rather than coordinating them.

Still, the price may not suit everyone. If you only want to paddle or visit the hot springs, booking a full-day combination is likely more than you need. Optional lockers and gowns are extra, and the itinerary does not promise a set length of time at each stop. I’d choose this when I want variety and convenience, not when I want to spend most of the day in one place.

The experience is recommended by all of its current raters and has an average score of five out of five from 18 ratings. The most consistently praised qualities are the thoughtful pacing, the balance between activity and relaxation, and the guide’s ability to keep the schedule without making the day feel rushed. The small group and stops away from the busiest places also help the outing feel more personal.

Who will get the most from this outing

This is a strong match if you enjoy being active outdoors but also want comfortable breaks and a little indulgence. You will get the most from it if you are happy to try SUP, can manage a guided coastal walk and like the idea of ending the day with bathing and wine.

It also suits people visiting the peninsula without a car or who would rather not plan several separate activities. With transport, lunch and entry fees taken care of, you can focus on the day itself. The maximum group size of nine is another plus if you prefer a small outing to a large coach tour.

You may want another option if you want a slow beach day, a long hike, or an extended winery visit. The schedule has several distinct stops, so you trade depth at any one location for range across the peninsula. And if you are not comfortable with water-based activity or moderate exertion, check the requirements with the operator before committing.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want one well-organized day that combines a paddle, coastal walk, picnic, hot springs and wine tasting, and you like having the practical pieces handled for you. The strongest reason to go is the variety: the day moves from an active morning to a proper soak, then ends with a relaxed tasting.

Skip it if you would rather set your own pace or spend most of your time at one attraction. Before booking, confirm pickup arrangements, ask about dietary needs or fitness concerns, and remember that lockers and gowns at the springs are extra. For an active first introduction to the Mornington Peninsula, this is a rewarding way to cover several different sides of the region in one outing.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours. It starts at 8:00 am and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is McCrae Lighthouse, 676 Point Nepean Road, McCrae, Victoria 3938. Pickup is offered, so confirm the pickup arrangement when booking.

Is transport included?

Yes. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned WAM van, and the tour ends back at its meeting point.

Is stand up paddleboarding included?

Yes. The tour includes a SUP lesson and tour on Port Phillip Bay, along with the equipment.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch featuring fresh local produce is included, along with coffee and tea. The specific menu is not stated.

Is entry to Peninsula Hot Springs included?

Yes. Entry and bathing are included. Lockers and gowns are optional extras and are not included in the tour price.

Is wine tasting included?

Yes. Wine tasting at Kerri Greens Winery is included.

How strenuous is the tour?

Participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The day includes stand up paddleboarding and a guided coastal bushwalk.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather leads to cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.