Pt. Leo Estate is a premier destination that seamlessly blends art, nature, and fine dining. The estate’s Sculpture Park, set within 330 acres of meticulously landscaped grounds, offers a serene outdoor gallery experience. With a well-maintained promenade and winding paths, visitors can easily explore around 60 sculptures, including both large-scale and smaller pieces, all thoughtfully placed within their natural setting.
As you wander through the park, you’ll encounter diverse artistic styles and materials, reflecting the creativity of the artists and the harmony between art and nature. The tranquil environment provides a perfect backdrop for a leisurely visit.
In addition to the Sculpture Park, Pt. Leo Estate features exquisite wine and dining experiences. The Cellar Door & Wine Terrace allows guests to sample exceptional wines, while ‘Laura,’ the estate’s fine dining restaurant, offers sophisticated cuisine. Whether you’re admiring the art, enjoying a glass of wine, or dining at the renowned restaurant, Pt. Leo Estate delivers a memorable experience that combines visual splendor with culinary excellence.
Entry and Tickets:
Sculpture park is open daily from 11 am – 5 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
Total Time: 1.9 kms short walk (30 min), 3km long walk (60 min)
or you can combine the two.
Tickets: Entry into the Sculpture Park is $15 per adult and $8 concession. A family ticket of two adults and two children is $30 (ages 12-17 years). Free entry for children under 12 years old.
Address: Pt. Leo Estate, 3649 Frankston-Flinders Road, Merricks VIC 3916
Phone: 03 5989 9011
The drive to Pt. Leo Estate from Melbourne takes approximately 90 minutes, but the route itself offers a wealth of experiences worth savoring along the way.
Route Options
The Quick Route (60-75 minutes)
Take the M1 Monash Freeway to the M11 Peninsula Link (Frankston Freeway) at the EastLink interchange, continuing to the Moorooduc Freeway. Despite being mostly freeways, watch for eclectic roadside artwork including Emily Floyd’s giant bird and Callum Morton’s high-rise hotel installation.
The Scenic Coastal Route (90-120 minutes)
Follow the coastline from Melbourne through Brighton, Mentone, and Mordialloc along the Nepean Highway (B110), then continue past Frankston along Point Nepean Road. This slower route winds through charming bayside towns including Mount Eliza, Mornington, and Dromana, offering beach views and café stops along Port Phillip Bay.
Must-Stop Towns Along the Way
Frankston (50 minutes from Melbourne)
The gateway to the peninsula, Frankston offers a vibrant waterfront with sculptures adorning the beach, a picturesque pier perfect for strolling, and the McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery—a unique outdoor gallery featuring impressive Australian sculpture in a natural bush setting. It’s an excellent prelude to Pt. Leo.
Mount Eliza (12 minutes from Frankston)
This elegant bayside town is home to the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, which houses a diverse collection providing insight into Australia’s cultural heritage. Oliver’s Hill Lookout offers spectacular views across Port Phillip Bay to Melbourne’s skyline—particularly stunning at sunset.
Mornington (12 minutes from Mount Eliza)
A charming town blending urban life with coastal character, Mornington features beautiful beaches, boutique shopping on Main Street, and excellent cafés. The Mornington Pier and foreshore provide lovely walking paths, while the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery showcases local artists.
Dromana and Arthurs Seat (15 minutes from Mornington)
The landscape becomes more dramatic as you approach the Red Hill wine region. Take the Arthurs Seat Eagle gondola for breathtaking 30-minute return journey views over Port Phillip Bay, Arthurs Seat State Park, and all the way to Melbourne. Seawinds Gardens at the summit offers walking tracks with panoramic vistas. For families, the nearby Enchanted Adventure Garden features hedge mazes, tube slides, and a tree-surfing course.
The Wine Country Detour: Red Hill & Main Ridge
Before or after visiting Pt. Leo, the neighboring Red Hill and Main Ridge region—the heart of the Mornington Peninsula’s wine country—deserves exploration. This compact area is home to over 50 boutique wineries, many within minutes of each other.
Standout Wineries:
- Ten Minutes by Tractor (Main Ridge): Named for the original three founding wineries that were ten minutes apart by tractor, this award-winning cellar door and restaurant is famed for its exceptional wines and fine dining.
- Montalto (Red Hill South): A complete wine estate featuring beautiful grounds, an olive grove, acclaimed restaurant, casual café, sculpture trail through the vineyards, and some of the best wines the region offers. Perfect for families with picnic facilities.
- Paringa Estate (Red Hill): Winner of ‘Best Cellar Door’ and ‘Best Large Cellar Door’ at the Gourmet Traveller WINE awards, with commanding shiraz, pinot noir, and chardonnay. The restaurant offers garden dining among the vines during warmer months.
- Main Ridge Estate: The Mornington Peninsula’s first licensed winery, with 44 years of heritage producing benchmark Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The historic cellar door features tranquil bush and vineyard views.
- Polperro Winery (Red Hill): A stunning single-vineyard winery specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris, with award-winning restaurant, bar, and luxury accommodation on-site.
- Red Hill Estate (Main Ridge): One of the founding wineries, relocated to a new stunning site with breathtaking views and elegant wines.
- Green Olive at Red Hill: A whole-farm experience where they grow olives, grapes, herbs, and raise sheep and chickens. Dog-friendly and family-friendly, with farm tours and cooking classes available.
The Red Hill and Main Ridge area is compact enough to visit multiple wineries in one afternoon, with most offering cellar door tastings, restaurants, and spectacular views across the rolling hills toward Western Port Bay.
Other Notable Peninsula Attractions
Peninsula Hot Springs (Near Rye): Australia’s first natural geothermal hot springs on the peninsula, featuring over 50 bathing experiences. Perfect for an evening soak or morning wellness session.
Point Nepean National Park (Portsea): Historic military forts offer insight into Victoria’s past, with walking and cycling tracks to the peninsula’s tip presenting breathtaking views of The Rip where Port Phillip Bay meets Bass Strait.
Sorrento: A picturesque historic village with beautiful limestone buildings housing galleries, boutiques, and cafés. Sorrento Back Beach is popular for surfing, while the calm bay beach is perfect for swimming and exploring rock pools.
Cape Schanck: Dramatic coastal cliffs, historic lighthouse, and stunning ocean views make this one of the peninsula’s most photogenic locations.
Planning Your Day Trip to Pt. Leo Estate
Suggested Itinerary (Full Day)
9:00am – Depart Melbourne via M1/Peninsula Link 10:00am – Coffee stop in Frankston, quick visit to McClelland Sculpture Park 11:00am – Arrive Pt. Leo Estate, begin sculpture park exploration 1:00pm – Lunch at Pt. Leo Restaurant (booking recommended) 3:00pm – Wine tasting at the cellar door 4:00pm – Explore 1-2 nearby Red Hill wineries 6:30pm – Begin return journey to Melbourne 8:00pm – Arrive back in Melbourne
Alternative Weekend Itinerary
For those making a weekend of it, consider staying overnight in Red Hill, Dromana, or Sorrento. This allows time for:
- Friday evening arrival with dinner at a Red Hill winery
- Saturday morning at Pt. Leo Estate
- Saturday afternoon beach time at Sorrento or Portsea
- Saturday evening Peninsula Hot Springs
- Sunday morning farmers market (Boneo or Red Hill)
- Sunday afternoon winery hopping before returning to Melbourne
Location & Distance Guide
Melbourne CBD to Pt. Leo Estate: 105 km (90 minutes via freeway)
Melbourne CBD to Frankston: 41 km (40-50 minutes)
Frankston to Mount Eliza: 9 km (12 minutes)
Mount Eliza to Mornington: 10 km (12 minutes)
Mornington to Dromana: 14 km (15 minutes)
Dromana to Red Hill: 8 km (12 minutes)
Dromana to Pt. Leo Estate: 23 km (25 minutes)
Red Hill to Pt. Leo Estate: 15 km (18 minutes)
Pt. Leo Estate to Sorrento: 25 km (30 minutes)
Pt. Leo Estate to Cape Schanck: 18 km (20 minutes)
Local Vic 