Sorrento
Quick facts
- Population approximately 1,500
- 112 kilometres south of Melbourne
- Coastal heritage
- Swim with the dolphins.
The seaside village of Sorrento is one of the most popular and well-known holiday escapes on the Mornington Peninsula. In the 1870s, entrepreneur and parliamentarian George Coppin, since dubbed ‘the Father of Sorrento’, realised the holiday potential of Sorrento and encouraged Melburnians to escape their everyday lives and seek respite from the city's scorching summer winds in an idyllic seaside setting. Sorrento's popularity blossomed as a result of Coppin's efforts.
Most of Sorrento’s attractions are within walking distance and the town has earned acclaim for its fine buildings, many made from local limestone giving them a unique character. Impressive hotels, excellent eateries, sidewalk cafes, boutiques, galleries and specialist shops add extra appeal to the Sorrento experience.
The gentle front beach is an ideal place to wile away some time, have a picnic, go for a stroll, take a cooling swim or keep watch for wild bottlenose dolphins which frolic in the clean bay waters. For some surf-pounding action, the back beach on the Bass Strait side of the peninsula is close by. Sorrento offers a long list of other recreational opportunities, including golf, bushwalking, sailing, scuba diving, fishing and boating.
A year-round car and passenger ferry service connects Sorrento with Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula, adding an extra dimension to the scenic experience. This makes exploring the region simple and completes the 'Around the Bay' touring route.
Activities and attractions
- Explore the many lookouts and walking trails that reveal the town’s charm and beauty
- Take a dolphin and seal sightseeing cruise
- Charter a boat and cast a line in the bay
- Picnic or swim at the Sorrento Foreshore Reserve, incorporating pier, cycling track, kiosk and amenities, and admire the vantage of Port Phillip Bay
- Surf the Sorrento back beach
- Explore the bay on the Queenscliff-Sorrento car and passenger ferry services departing from Sorrento Pier
- Take the coastal walk from Sorrento Ocean Beach to Portsea Back Beach and beyond, exploring sand dunes, tidal rock pools and spectacular views.
- Visit one of the many commercial galleries and workshops of local artists or browse the many specialist shops
- Enjoy alfresco dining in one of the many excellent eateries
- Uncover European and Aboriginal heritage of the area at the Sorrento Museum.
Major events
- Sorrento Art Festival – January
- Sorrento Street Festival – March
- Sorrento Craft Market – fourth Sunday of the month from September to April.
How to get there
Sorrento is approximately 1.5 hours from Melbourne via the Nepean Highway or you can take the ferry across the bay from Queenscliff.
