Sorrento Travel Guide

Melbourne

Sorrento featuring a sandy beach and water sports
Sorrento
Sorrento showing heritage elements
Sorrento Front Beach which includes heritage elements
Sorrento showing shopping as well as a small group of people

With a pretty bay on one side and rugged ocean on the other, this heritage seaside town is ideal for exploring the coast, seeing local art and spotting dolphins.

The historic town of Sorrento is an idyllic destination on the Mornington Peninsula in an impressive position overlooking scenic coastline. Take in stunning coastal views on two sides in Sorrento, either from the rugged Sorrento Back Beach, which looks out to Bass Strait, or from the pretty beaches and coves of Port Phillip Bay. Explore the township to find intriguing galleries, charming cafés, boutiques and relics of Australia’s early European settlement.

Sorrento marks the spot where the first European settlement was established in Victoria, 30 years before settlement began in Melbourne. Visit the Collins Settlement Historic Site and check out the Nepean Historical Society Museum to learn more about the area’s past.

Spend a day relaxing and watching yachts and ferries sailing around Port Phillip Bay from Sorrento’s bay beaches, which extend in both directions from the pier. Get some fish and chips or homemade gelato from the foreshore shops and go for a stroll along the beach, keeping an eye out for bottlenose dolphins in the bay. Explore Sorrento’s heritage limestone stores and shop for handcrafted artworks, souvenirs and locally designed clothing.

Kayak and boat tours depart regularly from Sorrento’s pier. Join a sightseeing cruise or jump in a kayak and explore the bay. Some boat tours include snorkelling trips with wild dolphins and fur seals. Experienced surfers can carve up the surf breaks along the rugged and rocky Sorrento Back Beach. Embark on one of the walking trails that wind though dense coastal bush to rocky outcrops facing Bass Strait or take in bay views with a round of golf at the Sorrento Golf Club.

Sorrento is a 2-hour drive from Melbourne along the scenic coastal Nepean Highway. The Mornington Peninsula Freeway is a faster route and incurs a small toll. You can also catch the train to Frankston station and connect with a bus to Sorrento, but the journey can take up to 3 hours. Reach Sorrento from Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula with the Searoad Ferry. Avoid city traffic, park your car in the ferry’s hull and enjoy bay views throughout the 40-minute journey.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Sorrento

InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula by IHG

InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula by IHG

5 out of 5
23 Constitution Hill Road, Sorrento, VIC
The price is Rp2.911.173 per night from 12 Aug to 13 Aug
Rp2.911.173
Rp3.202.290 total
12 Aug - 13 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (101 reviews)
"Room was nice and clean but the chromecast did not work in our room"

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula by IHG
Sorrento Beach Motel

Sorrento Beach Motel

3.5 out of 5
780 Melbourne Rd, Sorrento, VIC
The price is Rp1.467.553 per night from 13 Aug to 14 Aug
Rp1.467.553
Rp1.614.308 total
13 Aug - 14 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star motel in Melbourne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (869 reviews)
"Great location, comfortable and clean"

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Sorrento Beach Motel
Carmel at Sorrento

Carmel at Sorrento

4 out of 5
142 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, VIC
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Melbourne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 meeting rooms. Popular attractions Manyung Gallery at Sorrento ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (41 reviews)
"Amazing value for money, a real hidden gem, fantastic decor, comfortable, the after hours service was excellent and can't thank/acknowledge them enough"

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Carmel at Sorrento
Peppers Moonah Links Resort

Peppers Moonah Links Resort

4 out of 5
55 Peter Thomson Drive, Fingal, VIC
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a golf course. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Absolutely beautiful and very comfortable"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Peppers Moonah Links Resort
RACV Cape Schanck Resort

RACV Cape Schanck Resort

5 out of 5
Trent Jones Drive, Cape Schanck, VIC
The price is Rp2.301.194 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
Rp2.301.194
Rp2.531.313 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (927 reviews)
Will be back again.. and again…
"Always a pleasure staying at RACV Cape Schank 🤘 Great base for a few days away from town and exploring the Mornington Peninsular!"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

RACV Cape Schanck Resort
Mornington Hotel

Mornington Hotel

4 out of 5
917 Nepean Highway, Mornington, VIC
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (842 reviews)
"Very spacious room. Staff were great. Friendly and courteuos A little more attention to detail with cleaning of room would be good. For example, cups and bowls put through the dishwasher to ensure they are cleaned well.(Some were not very clean and appeared to be just rinsed, not washed prooerly. ..."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Mornington Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Sorrento

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Blairgowrie

Beaches, cafes and spas are some highlights of Blairgowrie. Make a stop by Blairgowrie Beach or Rye Beach while you're exploring.

Blairgowrie
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Rye

Beaches, spas and hot springs are just a few things travellers enjoy about Rye. Check out Rye Beach or The Dunes Golf Links while you're exploring the area.

Rye
Rosebud featuring a beach

Rosebud

Unique features of Rosebud include the golf courses and hot springs. Make a stop by Rosebud Beach or Arthurs Seat State Park while you're exploring the area.

Rosebud
Dromana showing general coastal views and hiking or walking as well as a large group of people

Dromana

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Dromana. You might want to make time for a stop at Dromana Beach or Heronswood Garden.

Dromana
Mornington which includes signage

Mornington

Spas, restaurants and beaches are some highlights of Mornington. Make a stop by Mornington Park or Mornington Country Golf Course while you're exploring.

Mornington
Brighton featuring a house and a beach

Brighton

Beaches, churches and cafes highlight some notable features of Brighton. Make a stop by Brighton Beach or Elwood Beach while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at North Brighton Station or Middle Brighton Station to get around town.

Brighton

Sorrento Travel Guide