Tempting visitors with rustic lifestyle

Venture to the other side of the Mornington Peninsula to experience the Western Port way of life. Here the towns are a beautiful blend of rustic buildings bursting with character and modern structures that complete the remarkable offerings. With the best of both worlds, visitors can appreciate a relaxing seaside town vibe alongside a tranquil bush atmosphere. Get behind the wheel to discover streets adorned with banksias, she-oaks, towering pines and cypress trees. They’ll lead you to strips of shops in each village that offer retail boutiques, gourmet produce stores and bustling eateries specialising in a selection of cuisines. Winding roads take you through this age-old district and into one or more of the breathtaking wineries as the sea breeze carries you to your next port of call. 

Take to the relaxed Tyabb streets to wander through countless antique stores or lazily watch the majestic aircraft land at Tyabb Airport. Mangroves border the water’s edge at Hastings foreshore as fishers feed fish scraps to the pelicans. Bike riders adventure along the Western Port Bay Trail, stopping for their caffeine fix at Bittern. Venture to the coast to discover Somers, a sleepy little hamlet that is the epitome of a summer holiday destination. Visit Coolart Homestead after your gastronomic exploration of the region. Balnarring Beach welcomes you with golden arms at this secluded beach overlooking Phillip Island. Picturesque Flinders Pier can’t be missed, with its origins dating back to 1864. At Flinders you’ll be able to try some of the best mussels in the state. 

This area tempts visitors with its rustic lifestyle that governs with creative wining and dining options enticing all. This magical eclectic destination offers boutique shopping, award-winning artisan produce, epicurean delights and café life that can only be described as delectable. 

Click to explore.

Balnarring Preserves Flinders General Store Flinders Hotel Flinders Truffles Le Bouchon Mitch & Co Ritchies Balnarring The Somers General Zambrero Balnarring

The Somers General

The Somers General is a delightful café and store located along the beautiful Western Port shore, with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that feels a little like stepping back to a simpler time. In 2019 Owners Zoe Proctor and Dean Atkins transformed this historic venue into a community hub, blending the best of tradition with modern comfort.

The café exudes charm, with vintage décor, lush indoor plants and cosy seating, perfect for any season. Enjoy the glorious summer sunshine on the wide wooden deck, or snuggle by the open fire inside when the weather gets cooler.

With the nearby leash-free beach, it's an ideal place for dog owners to grab a take-away coffee and a bite for a seaside stroll, or sit outside and relax with your pooch afterwards. Families are equally well-catered for, with a laid-back atmosphere and proximity to Coolart Homestead and the beach making for a fantastic day out with the kids.

The menu at The Somers General features fresh, seasonal ingredients, with standout dishes like the chilli scrambled eggs and the falafel bowl. The restaurant is fully licensed and serves drinks sourced from local breweries and vineyards. Coffee enthusiasts will appreciate the Industry Beans coffee, or choose from the range of healthy juices. The children, or anyone with a sweet tooth, will love the Mubble ice cream in many delicious flavours, or a classic-style milkshake or spider.

Beyond the café, the store is filled with artisan goods, including handmade pottery, homewares, and organic skincare. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing meal, a shopping experience, or a day by the beach, The Somers General can cater to just what you need.

Opening hours: daily 8am-4pm

The Somers General

2 The Boulevard, Somers

P: 0416 484 855

www.thesomersgeneral.com.au

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Balnarring Preserves

Honouring Peninsula-grown produce, Balnarring Preserves has won awards and customers here and beyond. The brand’s colourful botanical cordials and freeze-dried and dehydrated fruit treats are a flavour-filled hit.

Balnarring Preserves grows its own organic produce to ensure control over the quality of its ingredients. It also supports trusted small-scale farmers on the Peninsula. Only the best seasonal produce goes into its preserves, and you can taste the difference.

More than just preservers, the Balnarring Preserves team are farmers with their hands in the soil; makers with a passion for innovation. Their craft blends time-honoured techniques with creative twists, breathing new life into cherished family recipes.

Balnarring Preserves is working with school canteens to provide healthy organic snacks for children's lunchboxes, and its dehydrated apple and rhubarb, apple and strawberry, and apple and mixed berry fruit straps tick all the boxes.

Co-owner Melissa was named the Jams, Preserves, Beverages Aggregate Prize Champion at the 2024 Red Hill Show. Balnarring Preserves also received gold medals at the 2024 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards for its apple and rhubarb fruit straps and rose petal cordials, which won the Best in Class medal for the Best Syrup or Cordial.  Silver medals were awarded for its apple and strawberry fruit straps and elderflower cordial.

Balnarring Preserves products can be found at Torello Farm Dromana, IGA Balnarring, Edigrocer Edithvale, Farm Raiser Bellfield and Wild Things Fitzroy.  Schools and retailers wishing to stock its products are invited to contact the business directly.

Opening hours: Saturdays and Sundays at roadside farm gate market stall; fresh blueberries mid-December to mid-February.

Balnarring Preserves

13 Turners Rd, Balnarring

P: 0417 941 879

www.balnarringpreserves.com.au

E: admin@balnarringpreserves.com.au

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Fabulous friends help business avoid berry blues

When the demand for Balnarring Preserves’ products began outstripping its supply of  berries, the business needed to take action fast. In a surprising, fortuitous twist, the solution to the problem appeared in a collaborative arrangement demonstrating the power of collective community spirit.

Balnarring Preserves had stretched its 3.6ha farm to its limit for planting. It was clear it needed to expand, diversify and reduce its risks by growing produce across different locations. Known for their generous support of fellow Peninsula producers, co-owner Melissa and organic farming expert Mitch Miller, of Just-A-Veggie Patch, were introduced by Torello Farm’s Sophie O’Neil to Ron and Judith Slocombe, the owners of a Red Hill South property with more than 2000 blueberry shrubs. Having spent many Christmases harvesting and selling blueberries – the short growing season extends from December to January – Ron and Judith were looking to hand over the baton, wishing in future to spend this precious time with their family and grandchildren.

In a mutually beneficial alliance, the Slocombes agreed to lease their farm to Balnarring Preserve’s owners Melissa and Matthew throughout the year. The agreement sees the property owners look after and maintain the shrubs from March until August each year, at which point Balnarring Preserves steps in to weed, prune, harvest and pack the blueberries. In its first stages, the business formed a community group to help with the arduous task of hand-weeding the patch over a two-week period. 

During pruning and harvesting, Balnarring Preserves employs a team of contractors who pick and pack alongside its local support crew. The business invested in a blueberry grader purchased from a Tasmanian blueberry farm being sold due to hail damage. Mitch drove to Tasmania, dismantled it and brought it back in his van on the Spirit of Tasmania.  That's dedication for you.

Farming blueberries is a labour-intensive exercise requiring hand-harvesting within a very short summer harvest window. The hard work, however, has its rewards. On average, 2000 shrubs will produce five to six tonnes of blueberries.

Fresh Red Hill blueberries are amazing, whether picked straight off the shrub, packed and eaten fresh, dehydrated into fruit straps, made into cordials, or freeze-dried, retaining 95 per cent of their nutritional value. Who doesn’t like blueberries all year round?

The alliance ensures that Balnarring Preserves can provide customers with delicious, tangy and nutritious blueberries without the food miles.  They are available from December through to the start of February and can be found at Torello Farm in Dromana and at Balnarring Preserves’ roadside stall on Turners Rd, as well as from other retailers who support locally grown produce. Year-round, customers can enjoy the sweet taste of frozen blueberry punnets, 100 per cent Red Hill freeze-dried blueberries, mixed berry dehydrated fruit straps, and lemon and blueberry cordial.

With this opportunity, Balnarring Preserves is rapt to be able to expand the production of the popular fruit for its customers – with the help of some fabulous friends.

DANIELLE DAVEY

Flinders Hotel

Nestled in the picturesque seaside town of Flinders, the Flinders Hotel is a testament to the region's rich history and enduring charm. This iconic landmark, with its warm, inviting atmosphere, has been a beloved gathering place for locals and visitors alike for generations.

Built in 1889 as a double-storey guesthouse, the recently renovated hotel has become a thriving hospitality destination known for its exceptional dining experiences. The hotel’s restaurant serves a delicious seasonal menu showcasing fresh, locally sourced ingredients and innovative flavours. Whether you're craving a hearty pub meal, a light lunch or a bite to eat when passing through, the menu has something to satisfy every palate. Cosy up by the fire in winter or enjoy sun-soaked cocktails in summer.

For those seeking a more casual dining experience, the sports bar offers a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, the perfect spot for a refreshing pint or glass of wine.

In addition to its excellent dining options, the Flinders Hotel offers onsite accommodation. Quarters at Flinders Hotel blends quiet seclusion with quintessential Peninsula style. Architecturally designed and inspired by the surrounds of Flinders, Quarters has 40 deluxe, light-filled rooms superbly appointed with luxurious linen, spacious bathrooms and generous minibars curated with the best Peninsula wines.

Quarters is the perfect base from which to explore the best of the region. From exciting dining options to popular cellar doors, stunning coastal trails, pristine beaches and majestic golf courses, Quarters’ guests enjoy the most central location on the eastern side of the Peninsula.

Opening hours: daily, see website for details

Flinders Hotel

23 Cook St, Flinders

P: 5534 8019

www.flindershotel.com.au

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Flinders Truffles

After seven years of carefully tending their truffiere of 1150 French oak trees, Flinders Truffles owners Jane and Tony are excited to invite the public to join one of their boutique truffle-hunting experiences.

Jane and Tony have worked tirelessly to bring to life their passion for the captivating black truffle or tuber melanosporum – also known as the Périgord truffle.

Your truffle-hunting experience begins with a warm, truffle-infused soup while you learn about these mysterious gifts of nature and how to find them. Then you’ll join your guide among the trees, where you’ll be accompanied by specially trained lagotto dogs as they sniff the earth for the unique truffle aroma.

Back in the cosy barn with its warm fire, you will learn how to use this highly prized ingredient in your own cooking. Jane wants people to feel comfortable using truffles, and she provides a range of recipes that you can use to elevate your own culinary creations. Enjoy cheese toasties topped with freshly grated truffles, or sample delicious products including truffle-infused chilli oil and truffle butter.

If there’s no room on your itinerary for the full hunting experience, you can make a quick visit to the new farm gate van to buy a toastie or any of the Flinders Truffles products to take home. Linger by the fire while you enjoy the truffles’ incredible tastes and aromas, and take in the amazing view across the Bass Strait.

Black truffles are only available in winter, so this unforgettable experience is offered for a limited time.

During the winter harvest season Flinders Truffles feature in many of the restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne city, some have special truffle-inspired dinners and events. Keep an eye out for more events in 2025.

Flinders Truffles are also exported to European and Asian markets.

Opening hours and farm gate: see website or Instagram

Flinders Truffles

1900 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Flinders

P: 0408 003 475

www.flinderstruffles.com.au

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Mitch & Co

In the heart of Tyabb is a café with real heart. Prized by locals for its delicious food and coffee, Mitch & Co is also warmly regarded for its generous community spirit, supporting regional farmers, charities and sporting clubs.

Since opening in 2017, Mitch & Co has established an expanding customer base, with many regulars loyal from the start. For tradies and truckies, it’s a pit stop; for parents, it’s a coffee spot after school drop-off; for local businesses, it’s the perfect base for a lunch meeting. For emergency service workers and tourists passing through the little township, the café appears as an oasis, a place to refill and recharge. Representing something different to everyone, all agree the service and food at Mitch & Co is exceptional.

Favouring the use of local produce, the café has a seasonal staple menu but adds some variety with frequently changing specials. Weekly French toast is a favourite treat, with different toppings appearing each week. Regulars love trying the flavour combinations and guessing what will be next.  Other top-sellers include caramelised banana ricotta pancakes, mushroom jumble and signature brekkie burgers. Mitch & Co prioritises its customers’ dietary needs and preferences, serving gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian options where possible.

Dogs are also catered for at Mitch & Co. The café stocks Joel’s Canine Cookies, produced by a local teen who uses his business to support Down syndrome awareness. The café’s namesake would be pleased. ‘Mitch’ was the owners’ first German shepherd, with ‘Co’ representing the next four additions to their German shepherd family.

Support the café that supports its community – everyone is welcome at Mitch & Co.

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 5am-3pm; Sunday closed

Mitch & Co

1552 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Tyabb

P: 5977 3201

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Ritchies Balnarring

Supermarket shopping has been taken to the next level

After undergoing the transformation of a lifetime, the state-of-the-art Ritchies SUPA IGA Balnarring has set a new standard for supermarkets and delivers a shopping experience like no other.

You’ll be mesmerised by the lavish displays and gourmet options. Upon entry, you’ll find the Entertaining Hub, an area of the store that resembles a traditional food hall more than a supermarket. Call past the deli and you’ll find an endless range of fresh meats for sale, and there’s the extensive range of local and imported cheeses that are perfectly paired with produce from the dry-aged meat display.

The supermarket’s variety of hot and easy dinner options has expanded greatly, so peruse the range of roast vegetables, side dishes, roast pork and more. If seafood’s your go, you’ll be impressed by the rotating seafood case within the refrigerated deli. As the only one of its kind in Australia, the flat circular rotating display is filled with ice and kept topped up with a fresh selection of seafood and caviar. Love your steak thick? With butchers on site daily at the meat servery, customers can request cuts to suit. Likewise, the fresh chicken department has a variety of your favourite chicken dishes ready to cook at home.

With a strong emphasis on sourcing locally wherever possible, Ritchies Balnarring’s organic case is filled with organic produce from the Mornington Peninsula. Pick up an orange juice that is squeezed daily on site or a delicious juice blend from the cold-pressed juice machine. Be tempted by freshly popped popcorn or fruit salad prepared in store.

Freshly baked loaves of bread, flatbread, fresh mousses, custard tarts and trifle can be found at the bakery. As an exclusive supplier to Brunetti Classico, you’ll be enticed by the large assortment of petite cakes and cafe-style creations. You’re spoilt for choice with sushi and a selection of hot Japanese dishes. Not to be missed is the healthy living section, which stocks wholesome options for grocery lines.

The team haven’t forgotten about the liquor department either. Well-known for a fantastic range of local beers and spirits already, they’ve somehow found the next level. Stepping into the store, it’s hard to miss the dedicated wine room. Featuring an impressive domed brick ceiling, it’s home to the largest selection of Peninsula wines anywhere in the region. With tastings available, do not miss the chance to sample some of the best wines this area has to offer. 

Nothing short of remarkable, this world-class supermarket and liquor store is a step above the rest. Experience it for yourself today.

Opening hours: grocery daily 7.30am-9pm; liquor store Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm; Sunday 10am-8pm

Ritchies SUPA IGA Balnarring

1 Russell St, Balnarring

P: 5983 2511

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