Easter on the Mornington Peninsula is about more than just chocolate eggs - though we’re definitely not saying no to those. It’s a time to pause, reconnect and explore the places (and flavours) we love most.
Whether you're a local soaking up our extended summery weather or visiting for the long weekend, this is the season for slower mornings, seaside wanders, and golden autumn light. Here’s how we’re spending Easter on the Ninch - and a few of our favourite local tips to help you make the most of it.
The great Mornington Peninsula hot cross bun hunt
Forget the supermarket six-pack. Some of the best buns are baked right here. Our top picks?
- Butterken Bakery, Mt Eliza - Spiced to perfection with just the right stickiness.
- Flinders Sourdough, Flinders - Did somebody say woodfired sourdough hot cross buns?
- Millers Bread Kitchen, Point Leo & Dromana - Just try stopping at one.
Make it your mission to track down the Peninsula’s best hot cross bun. But get in early. Word on the street is they all sell out fast. Make sure to check out the respective weekend opening hours to avoid disappointment.
Easter baskets, reimagined
Sure, chocolate is always welcome—but why not give something that lasts a little longer than 2.5 seconds? Our Mornington Peninsula ABC book ($20) is the perfect keepsake for curious kids. Pair it with one of our Furfolk soft plush toys or one of our Create and Wonder Aussie animal finger puppets for a gift that’s full of heart, storytime, and adventure.
Sunset beach walks & Easter bunnies in the wild.
There’s something extra special about an autumn walk by the coast, especially as the sun sets and the skies turn candy coloured. One of our favourite local hidden gems? Rabbit Rock at Montforts Beach. If you squint just right, the rocky outcrop really does resemble a bunny. Local tip - please check tide times for this spot.
Egg hunts galore
For little chocoholics, the Peninsula is brimming with egg hunts and family events across the weekend. We'll cover many of these on our What's On This Weekend social post (make sure to follow us @ninchkids for the lowdown), but rest assured, there's everything from your traditional egg hunt to egg hunts with goats, dinosaurs, horses, and farm trucks.
Prefer a DIY Easter adventure sans the sugar high? Create your own scavenger hunt (or use our template in our Mornington Peninsula Easter Activity Book) and explore the trails at Seawinds Gardens, Shoreham Pines or along the Red Hill Rail Trail. Autumn leaves, kookaburra calls, and kangaroo tracks — the sights and sounds of the Mornington Peninsula during Autumn are perfect for little adventurers.
Feast on the flavours of the coast
Religious or not, we'll celebrate any excuse to enjoy some of our local seafood. We really are spoilt for choice here. Word around town is that the folks at Johnny Ripe are whipping up their famous Seafood Pies. Check out their local stockists for where you can catch one.
Our hot tip for the best fish and chips around - Salt Fish and Chips in Dromana, and FNCS Family Fish and Chippery tucked away in the industrial estate in Dromana. On the Westernport side, Tulum Store Balnarring Beach offers dine-in and take-away. Pre-ordering for takeaway is recommended here.
Feeling adventurous? Why not try your luck at reeling in your own Easter feast, with a spot of fishing at one of our local piers?
A taste of chocolate (the Ninch way)
Chocolate still gets its moment, of course. Try a DIY Bunny Decorating session at Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie in Flinders (9–5pm all weekend) or grab some handcrafted local Easter treats from your favourite Peninsula makers like Au Croissanterie or one of our makers at our markets across the weekend, including the Emu Plains Market and the Portsea Market. Nothing mass-produced here - just the good stuff.
Adventure reigns supreme, but if you need some chill time, we've got you covered!
If you're looking for a way to keep the little ones entertained between adventures, or while your sipping a late at one of our cafes, don’t forget our Mornington Peninsula Easter Activity Book is full of puzzles, colouring-in and playful prompts to get kids engaging with all the things we love abou the Mornington Peninsula. Add it to your Easter basket for the perfect mix of creativity and calm.
Wherever the weekend takes you, we hope it’s full of adventure, family, chocolate and a whole lot of fun.