Our Experience on a Mornington Peninsula Mystery Picnic
Let me introduce you to one of the best Mornington Peninsula experiences we’ve tried—the AmazingCo Mystery Picnic.
We’d previously enjoyed a mystery picnic outing in Melbourne, exploring hidden laneways and collecting picnic goodies across the CBD. This time, we take the mystery picnic concept down the coast to the Mornington Peninsula. And what a difference a change of scenery can make!
Unique Mornington Peninsula Experiences
Rather than walking, this adventure has us driving between stops. Think charming seaside towns, rolling vineyards, and views over Port Phillip Bay—each location offering a new food discovery and a reason to slow down and take in the view.
To give you a sense of the day, here’s Chris’ full review:
You may recall previously reading about a Mystery Picnic adventure that gave us a memorable experience of the CBD.
Following clues sent to our mobile phones, we walked the City’s lanes and collected picnic ingredients from several gourmet food outlets on the way. The trail finished with a banquet on a blanket on the lawns of the Treasury Gardens.
The memory of that lovely day was re-kindled recently when we had another Mystery Picnic, not walking in the CBD this time, but driving around the very scenic and beautiful Mornington Peninsula.
Similarly scripted, with cryptic clues sent to our mobiles, this new Mystery Picnic escapade led us to various “foodie” locations on the Peninsula. When we had collected all the picnic treats, we were led to a table in a park with lovely panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay and we delighted in devouring the banquet we had gathered.
If comparing with the CBD Mystery Picnic, this adventure was similar in format but practically different in that it started at Mornington and required driving to each location.
A bit of driving, yes, but the scenic treats of the Peninsula are worth it.
The tour leads through a diverse landscape from charming coastal towns and sandy beaches to lush greenery and fertile farmlets, vineyards and orchards. Each turn on the journey opened a different vista, from rolling hills to views of the Bay and Bass Strait.
A lovely day and a special treat…
As a postscript I would advise to allow plenty of time for the trip. We had made a booking for mid-afternoon at the Peninsula Hot Springs so, I felt, we hurried a bit and missed absorbing some of the Peninsula’s charm.
– Chris
Mornington Peninsula Mystery Picnic with Hot Springs
If you’re looking to make your AmazingCo picnic even more special, there’s an option to combine your mystery picnic with a visit to the Peninsula Hot Springs—something we chose to do.
After collecting your picnic goodies and enjoying your feast overlooking Port Phillip Bay, the day doesn’t have to end there. This package option includes entry to the award-winning Peninsula Hot Springs, Victoria’s first natural hot springs and wellness centre.
Included in the experience is the Revitalise Bathing admission, giving you access to over 50 geothermal mineral pools, from the famous hilltop pool with 360-degree views to the relaxing cave pool, Turkish steam bath, and lakeside hydrojet pool. There’s even a reflexology walk and cold plunge pools if you’re feeling adventurous.
Terrie’s Review
My husband, daughter and I shared the experience of a Mystery Picnic Tour on the Mornington Peninsula. I loved that you had to solve a riddle or puzzle to find your first destination. After picking up a delightful treat from the first stop, you then solve the next puzzle to take you to the next “mystery” location. You do need a phone to access the clues, and also a car, as the mystery spots are quite a few kilometres apart. But this gives you the chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Mornington Peninsula along the way.
In all, there were five stops where we picked up various picnic goodies—without knowing in advance what they would be! Our final stop was a gorgeous park, where we sat down to enjoy our amazing collection of picnic food. The Mornington Peninsula is just so beautiful—it really was a treat to take in the views between each stop.
As seniors, I’d suggest sharing this adventure with two or more friends. One person will need to be the driver, as a lot of ground is covered, but it’s much more fun solving the puzzles and discovering the different stops together. Not only where food is picked up, but also at other interesting tourist spots you may want to pause and explore along the way.
I’d also recommend keeping your whole day free for this. It took us several hours to cover all the designated stops, plus we made some extra detours of our own.
We opted for the package that included a visit to the Peninsula Hot Springs. The Hot Springs themselves were absolutely beautiful—but adding them on made the day a bit too busy. My tip? Make it a “staycation” and turn it into a weekend. Do the Mystery Picnic one day, and the Hot Springs the next. The Hot Springs were very worthwhile. A beautiful setting among trees, with lots of different pools, all so amazing to sit in and feel that warmth relax your body.
You can hire towels and robes, then spend time wandering from one pool to the next, perhaps stopping for a coffee. There are cafes on-site for food and drinks. The therapeutic mineral waters make your body feel wonderful—and that feeling stayed with me for days afterwards. A great adventure!
Related reading: Our Peninsula Hot Springs Review: Winter Afternoon Bliss
Tips for Your Mornington Peninsula Mystery Picnic
- Charge your smartphone and ensure you have mobile data to access and solve clues throughout the day.
- No app needed—just click the special link sent in your confirmation email and follow along in your phone’s browser.
- Solve the first clue from home (sent the night before) so you know where to head first and how the experience works.
- Bring an insulated bag or esky, as you’ll be collecting chilled picnic goodies at multiple stops. A picnic blanket is also a must!
- Detailed, helpful instructions come with your booking confirmation—read them carefully before you set off.
- Save or bookmark the public toilet map on your phone, especially helpful for those longer stretches between stops.
- Expect the experience to take at least 4–5 hours, especially with driving between locations. Allow extra time for scenic stops.
- You’ll need a car to get between mystery stops—they can be several kilometres apart across the Peninsula.
- Consider booking the Hot Springs package, but allow plenty of time—or better yet, spread it across two days for a more relaxed trip. (Read our review of Peninsula Hot Springs here).
- For accommodation, we love and recommend Gathering Shores, a beautiful bed and breakfast in Dromana.
- Mystery Picnics make a great gift idea, or book online directly and browse AmazingCo’s other Mystery Picnics and experiences all across Victoria.
- Looking for more mystery picnic Melbourne reviews? Check out our CBD adventure too—and let us know your favourite picnic spot!
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
The Seniors in Melbourne team attended as guests of Amazing Co. All opinions are the writers’ own.
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