Autumn on the Mornington Peninsula: Why March Is One of the Best Times to Get Out and Explore
If summer on the Mornington Peninsula feels busy, March is when things start to settle into a really lovely rhythm. The weather is still warm enough to enjoy being outdoors, but there is often a little more breathing room to slow down, take the scenic route, and actually enjoy the day without the peak-summer rush. The region’s official tourism guide highlights autumn as a great time for longer coastal walks, food-focused outings and seasonal events, which makes March a pretty ideal month to get out and explore.
That is what makes this time of year so appealing.
Instead of racing from one thing to the next, March on the Peninsula lends itself to the kind of day where you can ease into the morning, stop at a local market, enjoy a long lunch, and make a few spontaneous detours along the way. It is one of the best times of year for a more relaxed Mornington Peninsula day trip.
March Feels Different on the Peninsula
There is something about early autumn that really suits the Mornington Peninsula.
The beaches are still beautiful, the countryside starts to shift into softer autumn tones, and the whole region feels a little less frantic than it can in the height of summer. Visit Mornington Peninsula specifically points to autumn as a season for food, walks and local events, with plenty happening across March, April and May.
For locals, it is a reminder of how much there is to enjoy close to home. For visitors, it is often the sweet spot — all the Peninsula charm, but with a calmer pace.
A Perfect Time for Markets, Makers and Local Produce
If you love the local side of Peninsula life, March is a great month to lean into markets and seasonal produce.
There are several March market dates already listed across the region, including the Mornington Racecourse Market on Sunday 8 March 2026, Soul Night Market at Hastings Foreshore on Friday 13 March 2026, Soul Night Market at Sorrento Beach on Friday 20 March 2026, Emu Plains Market in Balnarring on Saturday 21 March 2026, and Meet The Makers Market at Hawkes Farm on Saturday 28 March 2026.
That gives you plenty of options depending on the kind of day you want.
You might be in the mood for a relaxed morning wandering through stalls with a coffee in hand, or maybe an evening market with that end-of-summer feel still hanging around. Either way, these sorts of outings are part of what makes March on the Mornington Peninsula so enjoyable — it is not just about one major event, but lots of smaller local experiences that make the whole region feel alive.
The Long Lunch Season Starts to Shine
March is also the time when the Peninsula’s food-and-wine side really starts to come into its own.
The region’s autumn guide points visitors toward the Wine Food Farmgate Trail and frames the season as the perfect excuse to discover new dining spots.
And if you want something that really captures that relaxed autumn mood, there is even Long Lunch on the Green – Taste & Tales of Country at Moonah Links on Saturday 28 March 2026, listed as part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. The event features a four-course menu celebrating Indigenous food, culture and stories of Country, set outdoors in the autumn sunshine.
Even if you are not booking a formal event, this is the time of year when a Peninsula day can easily turn into a leisurely lunch, a cellar door stop, or a produce-driven detour that ends up being the highlight of the day.
Make a Full Day of It
One of the best things about autumn on the Mornington Peninsula is how easy it is to build a whole day around simple pleasures.
Start with a market. Take the scenic way between towns. Stop somewhere for lunch. Add a walk, a browse, or a little extra exploring if the weather is kind. The official tourism sites highlight the region’s mix of markets, food, wineries, walks and attractions as part of what makes the Peninsula such a strong year-round destination.
And really, that is the charm of March here.
It does not always need to be a packed itinerary. Sometimes the best Peninsula days are the ones that feel a little loose, a little local and a little unexpected.
A Great Excuse to Revisit Favourite Places
March is also a nice reminder that some local favourites are worth revisiting.
The Mornington Racecourse Market runs on the second Sunday of each month and is described as a regular meeting place for locals and visitors, with handmade, home-made, home-grown and Australian-designed goods, plus food vendors and live music.
Later in the month, The Enchanted Market at The Briars is also scheduled for Sunday 29 March 2026, and it is described by council as a lovely family day out in one of the Peninsula’s most loved locations.
If you are looking for more things to do on the Mornington Peninsula, be sure to check out our recent blogs.... Let us know if there are any other topics you would like us to cover.
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