Shoreham - Places to See

Ashcombe Maze and Water Gardens

The 25-acre Ashcombe property features one of Australia's largest hedge mazes, a rose maze (consisting of 1200 roses), a forest of trees from around the world, tea rooms and extensive densely planted and varied gardens. Pony cart rides are offered on weekends and in school holidays. They are open daily from 10.00 a.m. and are located just west of the Flinders-Frankston Rd on the Red Hill Rd, about 1 km from Shoreham, tel: (03) 5989 8387.

Point Leo
Point Leo is a noted surfing location with a static population greater than Shoreham. It developed as Melbourne's closest surfing venue after interest in the activity was stimulated in the late 1950s. Today there is a sizeable camping area which attracts a small fee in peak periods, and a number of holiday homes. The old surf lifesaving club is now a private home. The beach is backed by substantial dunes and is excellent for surfing, wave jumping, wave skiing, body boarding and swimming. It is about four kilometres north of Shoreham by road, just off the Flinders-Frankston Rd.

Merricks
The small centre of Merricks is on the Flinders-Frankston Rd, 6 km north of Shoreham. It is a transitional area of the Mornington Peninsula, located between the hilly terrain of the hinterland and the quiet seaside towns and ocean beaches of Western Port Bay. Like the hinterland, it is still essentially a rural woodland area but it is located on flatter ground than Red Hill or Main Ridge. One of the oldest farming areas on the peninsula, it is now known as a wine-producing district.

The Stonier Winery
The award-winning Stonier Winery, established in 1978, is open daily from midday to 5.00 p.m. (and from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. in summer) at 362 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Merricks on the Thompsons Lane corner, next to the Merricks general store. It produces chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and cabernet blends. The winery building is of interest and there are winery tours. Cheese platters are available daily with lunches and functions caterered for by prior arrangement. There is a playground and picnic area, tel: (03) 5989 8300; fax: (03) 5989 8709, and email: stoniers@stoniers.com.au

Merricks Estate
Merricks Estate, established in 1977, is located in Thompsons Lane. It is open from 12.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. on the first weekend of every month, each weekend in January, all long weekends and every day from December 27 to January 31, tel: (03) 5989 8416 or (03) 9629 4035. They produce chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. There are picturesque gardens, a lakeside picnic area and barbecue facilities.

Elgee Park
Elgee Park is located in a picturesque setting in Junction Rd. They produce chardonnay, riesling, viognier, cabernet/merlot, pinot noir, pinot gris and methode champenoise cuvee brut, and, apart from the Sunday of the Queen's Birthday weekend, they are open by appointment only, tel: (03) 5989 7338. Enter from Wallaces Road.

Merricks North
Merricks Rd heads north off the Flinders-Frankston Rd. After 4 km it intersects with the Dromana-Bittern Rd. This area is known as Merricks North. The land here is of a rural cast. Scenic and quite beautiful, it is also expensive and given over to few subdivisions. White settlers were first drawn to the area by minor gold finds in the mid-19th century. Farming later developed with the area becoming known for its horse and cattle studs and its pear and apple orchards. Indeed, the town's main coolstore only closed in 1973. It now houses Barn Country Crafts. Wineries have more recently supplemented local industry.

Tussie-Mussie Farm
Tussie-Mussie Farm is a herb and rose farm which offers visitors the beauty of its fine gardens, herbal posies and a range of rose and herbal products. It is located at 206 Bittern-Dromana Road, at Merricks North, and is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. from Thursday to Monday, between November and May, tel: (03) 5989 7348.

Hanns Creek
Hanns Creek, established in 1987, is open for cellar door tasting every day from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. with French cuisine available on weekends and public holidays at 1.00 p.m. or any day for groups of 20 or more (bookings are essential). The winery produces pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Petanque games and vineyard tours are available. They are located at 26 Kentucky Rd, Merricks North, tel: (03) 5989 7266, or fax: (03) 5989 7500.