Shoreham, VIC

Quiet, untouched seaside town on the Mornington Peninsula

Shoreham is a small town on the eastern shoreline of the Mornington Peninsula. Historically an area of dairying, farming and timber in recent times it has become a holiday and tourist destination where some of Melbourne's wealthy residents have holiday homes and where people, eager to escape the holiday crowds on the western shore of the Mornington Peninsula, seek a quiet alternative.

Location

Shoreham is located 85 km south of Melbourne on the eastern shoreline of the Mornington Peninsula, directly west of Phillip Island.

^ TOP

Origin of Name

The settlement was originally named Stony Creek. Probably named after Shoreham-on-Sea in Sussex.

^ TOP

Things to See and Do

Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens
Located at 15 Shoreham Road, a kilometre north of Shoreham, is the Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens, a 10 ha wonderland. It features one of Australia's largest hedge mazes - over 1,000 cypress trees were planted and there are thousands of metres of pathways through a maze which is now three metres high - as well as a circular rose maze (consisting of 1200 roses) and a Lavender Labyrinth. There is also a cafe and gift shop. It is open daily from 9.00 am - 5.00 pm, tel: (03) 5989 8387. For more information check out http://ashcombemaze.com.au.

Shoreham Beach
There is something wonderfully simple about the 700 metre long, Shoreham Beach. If you want to launch a boat you simply drive down the beach and back the boat into the water. If you want to go for a swim you opt more for paddling and relaxing. The beaches are well protected and large waves are unusual. They are not patrolled.

^ TOP

Other Attractions in the Area

Wineries and Breweries in the Area
In areas like the Mornington Peninsula, where there are more than 50 cellar doors and boutique breweries, it is best to refer to the specific knowledge provided by the local tourist information sites. The Visit Mornington Peninsula provides a map and all the details of opening hours, phone numbers and contact points. Check out https://www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org/ThingsToDo/FoodWine/CellarDoors.aspx.

Walking in the Area
There is a pleasant coastal walk from Stony Creek, which lies to the south of Shoreham, through Point Leo and Merricks Beach to Somers. It is described in great detail in the excellent Bushwalking Victoria website: https://bushwalkingvictoria.org.au/item/red-hill-area-circuit-copy-copy-copy

Point Leo
Located 5 km north of Shoreham, Point Leo is a popular surfing location. The beach is backed by substantial dunes and is excellent for surfing, body boarding and swimming. There is a detailed analysis of the beach's surf potential at https://beachsafe.org.au/beach/vic/mornington-peninsula/point-leo/point-leo-surf.

^ TOP

History

* Prior to the arrival of Europeans the district was home to the Boonwurung Aborigines.

*The first European property in the area was established in the 1840s and

* The tiny township began to emerge in the 1870s.

* The Stony Creek school was opened in 1875.

* Shoreham Post Office opened in 1881.

* A wooden Catholic Church was built in the early 1880s.

* The school was closed in 1951 and the children moved to Red Hill.

* The Catholic Church was burnt down and rebuilt in 1984.

* In 2011 the population of the town was 434.

^ TOP

Visitor Information

There is no Visitor Centre in Shoreham. The closest is the Mornington Peninsula Visitor Information Centre, 359B Point Nepean Road, Dromana, tel: (03) 5950 1579, Open 10.00 am - 4.00 pm daily.

^ TOP

Useful Websites

There is no website for Shoreham. The Mornington Peninsula site has information about Shoreham Beach. Check out https://www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org/PlacesToGo/Beaches,PiersJetties/WesternPortBeaches/tabid/1047/View/5b42f83caf2d017d4be7291c/Shoreham-Beach/Default.aspx.

^ TOP