Melbourne's Hidden Gems | A Day of Romance Blending Mountains, Sea, Art, and Wine

 
If half of Melbourne's romance is hidden in the Mornington Peninsula, then Pt. Leo Estate is undoubtedly the most stunning part of the peninsula – vineyards stretching to the sea, world-class sculptures scattered across the lawns, and curved architecture embracing 180° sea views. Spend a day exploring art, fine wine, and mountain-sea scenery, a truly healing and photogenic experience.

 
First Encounter: An Art Winery Between Mountains and Sea
About 1.5 hours' drive from Melbourne city center, along the coastline of the Mornington Peninsula, you'll spot Pt. Leo Estate's iconic curved concrete building from afar, like a full glass of wine, organically growing from the land, blending seamlessly with the blue sky, turquoise sea, and vineyards.

 

At the entrance, a 75-year-old fig tree paired with a minimalist sculpture creates an artistic ambiance, making you want to stop and take photos even before entering. There's no heavy feel of a traditional winery here; your eyes are met with expansive greenery and shimmering light, and the wind carries the sweet scent of grapes mixed with the salty tang of the sea.

 

 
Sculpture Park: An Endless Outdoor Art Gallery
The most surprising feature is the winery's 16-acre private sculpture park – Australia's premier outdoor art space, with over 70 works by international masters scattered across the lawns, vineyards, and coastline. Every step reveals a new view, like strolling through a free art exhibition in nature.

 

 

Must-Visit Art Landmarks

KAWS Giant Sculpture: The super-popular grey cartoon figure stands on the lawn looking out to sea, cute and photogenic, it's almost every visitor's first stop.

Yayoi Kusama's Polka Dot Pumpkin: The iconic red and black polka dots, with its rounded shape lying on the grass, exude a whimsical charm.

Giant Face Sculpture: A classical bronze-textured face, half-buried in the grass, both vintage and mysterious.
Abstract Sculpture Group by the Sea: Large installations crafted from metal, stone, and colored resin, set against the ocean backdrop, featuring clean lines and powerful tension in the light and shadow.

 

 
Garden Exploration Experience
The park has two walking paths: a 30-minute short route (for key photo ops) and a 60-minute long route (for a deeper, leisurely stroll). Taking your time through the entire route takes just 1.5 hours, leaving you refreshed and immersed in the fusion of art and nature. Admission is AUD 15 for adults, free for children under 12, and waived for winery diners.

 

 

The wind sweeps through the grass, sculptures change with the light and shadow, and in the distance lies Phillip Island and the endless azure sea. Every corner feels like a movie scene, and you simply can't stop taking photos with your phone.

 

 
Winery Tasting: A Culinary Delight with the Sea Breeze
After exploring the sculpture park, head to the Cellar Door. Curved floor-to-ceiling windows offer direct views of the vineyards and the sea, and sunlight streams onto the wooden bar and wine bottles, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. The focus here is on cool-climate wines like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio, all made from the estate's 20-year-old vines, resulting in rich and smooth flavors. Choose a signature Pinot Noir, with its rich fruit aroma and soft tannins; take a sip, enjoying the crisp sea breeze, followed by a long, lingering finish. For those who don't drink alcohol, the non-alcoholic grape juice is a sweet and refreshing alternative.

 

 

During the tasting, you can also chat with the sommelier to learn about the Mornington Peninsula's winemaking history and grape cultivation stories – a unique and insightful experience.

 

 
Gourmet Break: Healing Cuisine with Sea Views
The winery boasts three distinctive restaurants, ranging from exquisite fine dining to casual light meals, all offering 180° sea views from every table by the window.

 
Laura Fine Dining: A two-hatted, high-end restaurant and Relais & Châteaux member, specializing in creative French cuisine using fresh local ingredients, perfect for anniversaries or formal dining.

 

 

Wine Terrace: We chose this relaxed, all-day casual restaurant. The outdoor seating faces directly onto the sea. We ordered fresh oysters and a salami platter, paired with a glass of wine, enjoying the sea breeze and watching the green vineyards stretch out – so delightful we didn't want to leave.

 
Embrace Romance in Everyday Life
Looking back as we left, the sea breeze carried the scent of wine. Pt. Leo Estate is never just a winery or an art gallery; it's a place where art takes root, nature heals, and time slows down.

 

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