Mornington Peninsula info

So you've decided to come and chill out here on the Mornington Peninsula - what a great decision!

If you want to find a sensational beach to sit on and quietly watch the VCE years and tears pass you by then this is the place.

Relaxed, no pressure, no hassles from anyone, just a great spot to pitch your tent, sit down and quietly celebrate your toughest year so far. No fighting over a square foot of sand to watch the sunset here…pick a spot and it’s yours!

So if you're heading to the Mornington Peninsula - Rye, Rosebud, Portsea, Sorrento, Hastings or Dromana - for your schoolies break, be aware of any local laws or issues that may affect what you can do during your holiday. Here's some info and tips to help make your stay safe and enjoyable.

We look forward to meeting you in November!

What's on

If you're after 'Party Central' then this may not be the place for you. But if you want a great spot for you and a few friends to chill and relax then we would advise you book a campsite early.

Yes we have some great pubs and clubs across the Peninsula, but we also have access to two of the greatest natural resources: peace and relaxation.

This year we will also have Red Frogs around ready to help you. What are Red Frogs you ask? Then you'd better check this out www.redfrogs.com.au.

There are lots of great things to see and do on the Peninsula - start by exploring the Shire's websites:

Registration

If you're heading to the Peninsula after finishing school, make sure you register. Registration includes:

Official wrist band
Access to Red Frogs shuttle buses
Support from youth workers
Free barbecues
Free water
Exclusive discounts for local tourist activities

You can register online here (new window).

What you can't do

Drinking in the following places is illegal and will incur an on-the-spot fine:

Public places
Outside of the property you are staying
In cars and parks
On a roadside

The local police are very friendly, helpful and professional, and will be able to assist you if required.

Local noise restrictions

Loud music, revving of cars or any unreasonable noise that can be heard from a habitable room during prohibited times can contravene the law and incur a fine. Restrictions are as follows:

Motor vehicles (except moving in and out of premises), lawn mowers or grass cutting devices and other equipment with an internal combustion engine are prohibited Monday to Friday before 7am and after 8pm; weekends/public holidays before 9am and after 8pm
Musical instruments and amplified equipment such as stereos, radios, TVs and public address systems are prohibited Monday to Thursday before 7am and after 10pm; Friday before 7am and after 11pm; Saturday/public holidays before 9am and after 11pm; Sunday before 9am and after 10pm

Local tips

Make sure you register (new window) - you'll get lots of benefits, including access to activities and transport. Youth workers, Red Frogs and Victoria Police Youth Resource Officers will be out and about, so if you are having any problems, all these people are approachable
Bring your Medicare card or number with you
Bring warm clothing as weather can change very fast from hot to very cold
Bring several types of quality ID as the pubs and clubs are very particular about what types of proof of age they accept
Take-away food costs are generally reasonable, but it is cheaper to cook for yourselves
If you respect your neighbours you will find that they will respect you

If you have any questions please call Mornington Peninsula Shire's Youth Services on (03) 5986 3585 (Rosebud) or email mpys@mornpen.vic.gov.au.

Surf beaches

It's unlikely that any of our back beaches will be patrolled by surf lifesavers during the schoolies.

For more information during the Schoolies period, contact either Youth Services on (03) 5986 3585 or Victoria Police Rosebud Station on (03) 5986 0444.

Unknown beaches can be unpredictable, so:

'Play it safe, take your mates' - never swim or surf alone
Never swim when you have been drinking or taking other drugs
Don't swim at night
Check it is OK to swim before you get in
If you don't know the depth of the water, don't dive in
Look before you leap

For more water safety tips and info head to www.watersafety.vic.gov.au (new window).

Plan ahead

Plan your trip - accommodation, money, transport, food, activities, warm clothes, wet weather gear and people you will be with
Let someone at home know where you are going and when you'll be back
Pack some fun stuff - guitar, cards, footy, frisbee

Our Accommodation, Money and Travel and Transport sections have more info to help you plan ahead.

Roads and transport

Public transport on the Port Phillip Bay side of the Peninsula is buses only and on the Westernport Bay side is trains only
Services are regular but don't run often, so bring a timetable with you
Peninsula Bus Lines timetables are extensive, so pick one up from Frankston Train/Bus station or go to metlink
Roads in the southern Peninsula are not well lit, so bring a torch and good shoes for walking home

Doctors and health services

If you need help, ask. It doesn't have to be an emergency to call 000 (112 if mobile out of range).

Public Hospitals

Rosebud Hospital
1527 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud, 3939
Tel: (03) 5986 0666

Frankston Hospital
Hastings Road, Frankston, 3199
Tel: (03) 9784 7777

There are virtually no doctors or clinics who bulk bill on the peninsula - be prepared to pay $50 up front.

Medicare offices

Mornington
Shop 1/6, 241 Main Street, Mornington Village Shopping Centre, Mornington, 3931

Rosebud
Shop 15, Rosebud Village Shopping Centre, 967 Pt Nepean Road, Rosebud

Medicare Public Enquiries
Tel: 13 2011

Other services

Money

There are many independent ATMs in shopping centres but generally there is a cost to your account for the use of these. Visit our Contacts page to find your bank's nearest ATM.

Internet access

Six public access computers are currently available at the new youth centre known locally as the Ylounge. Here, you can drop in and have free internet access to MSN, My Space or just chill out with a game on the PlayStation. The new centre is located at 1 Nepean Plaza in Rosebud, Melways map reference 158 D12.

Important contacts

Police, Ambulance and Fire
000 (112 if mobile out of range)

Poison Info line
13 11 26

24-hour drug and alcohol line
1800 888 236

Lifeline
www.lifeline.org.au
13 11 14

Centre Against Sexual Assault
www.casa.org.au
1800 806 292

Red Frogs
www.redfrogs.com.au
1300 557 123

V/Line (public transport info)
www.vline.com.au/
13 61 96

Mornington Peninsula Shire's Youth Services
www.mpys.com.au/
(03) 5950 1666 (Hastings), (03) 5986 3585 (Rosebud)
mpys@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Mornington Peninsula Shire
www.mornpen.vic.gov.au
1300 850 600

Department of Human Services

This content must not be reused or reproduced without consent from Department of Human Services.