Rosebud Holiday Houses & Accommodation

The tranquil seaside town of Rosebud lies just 75km south-east of Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula in Australia. Research the history of the fallen schooner that gave Rosebud its name at the local memorial site, or gather friends and loved ones for a day of wine tasting and an evening of savoury eats at renowned restaurants.

Getting to Your Rosebud Accommodation

Situated on the Mornington Peninsula, 90km south of Melbourne, Rosebud has seen its transport links with the big city improve significantly over the years making a journey to its holiday houses straightforward.

Melbourne Airport, which is served by domestic and international airlines, is around 1hr 20min from Rosebud by road. Take the M2 into Melbourne city centre before joining the M1 heading south. When you reach Intersection 16, exit for the M3 and then the M11 which takes you along the coast towards Rosebud.

The town doesn't have a train station but you can take the Cranbourne service from Melbourne’s Flinders Street, changing at Caulfield Station for the Frankston Line to nearby Frankston. From there, the 788 bus will take you to Rosebud with services every 50min and journey times taking approximately 1hr

If you’re travelling from Geelong, you can catch the ferry from Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula to Sorrento, which is just a 25min drive from Rosebud.

Where to eat on your holiday in Rosebud

Spitfire is a family-owned and operated restaurant located on the beautiful coast of the Mornington Peninsula. It offers sensational meals and is decorated with aircraft memorabilia. The head chef, Amir, migrated from Malaysia to the charming town of Rosebud and he has used his talent to craft exciting flavour combinations inspired by Asian and European spices. Awarded gold for 2017’s Best Burger Bar in Victoria by the Restaurant and Catering Association, it’s no wonder locals and visitors rave about this coastal gem’s fabulous food and flare for hospitality.

Sample one of the menu’s fourteen burger options, including options for vegetarians and vegans. Though the burger is the star at this local hotspot, the kamikaze hot buffalo wings and homemade dipping sauce are not to be missed. Stop by for the weekend breakfast menu for a hearty meal of eggs, bacon and hashbrowns, or try one of their unique cocktails

Discover the history of Rosebud

Visit the Rosebud schooner memorial to discover the true story of how the town of Rosebud received its name. In 1855, the boat Rosebud was caught in fierce storm, beaching her on the sandbanks in what is now the present township. The villagers decreed the towns name to be Rosebud to memorialise the ship whose destruction lent supplies to their homes and families.

The Rotary Club of Rosebud built a monument to the ship which can be seen near Durham Place on the pier.This memorial is also conveniently located at the water’s edge, making it an ideal place for an afternoon picnic or family outing. Not far from the tribute to schooner is the Rosebud Memorial Hall, a public building with information on the town’s history that is located next to the park.

As you look out into gentle waters of Port Phillip Bay, spend a moment of remembrance for the local community of poor fishermen who used the weathered boat’s remains to make linens from sailcloth and build homes from the scavenged wood.

Family holidays in Rosebud

Head over to Top Fun Games, an indoor and outdoor gaming centre perfect for a day out with the kids. The weather won’t stand in the way of your fun, with mini golf courses available both inside and outside, this fun centre is the ideal place to head on a rainy day. Challenge your family members to a game of 10 pin bowling, or hit the arcade for hours of video game entertainment.

Located just 1.2km away from the arcade you will find the Rosebud Foreshore Playground, a nature park overlooking Port Phillip bay. Kids will love running, climbing and exploring this custom built park adjacent to the Rosebud Jetty. It is not your average plastic playground and the long metal slides with rope climbing steps make this site a uniquely rustic adventure. Equipped with barbecues for the adults and shallow waters at the beachside, this playground is the perfect setting to spend an afternoon with the whole family.

What to do in Rosebud: wine tasting and penguin watching

Wine lovers will savour a day of tasting at an Amour of the Grape wine tour. Join a personalised excursion for groups under seven and bask in the scenery of the Mornington Peninsula while sampling Pinot Noir, Rose, and Syrah harvested from Australia’s vineyards. Tours include a visit to five cellar doors with the added option of stopovers at Mock Red Hill Cider, Red Hill Cheese and Red Hill Brewery.

Take a night tour of the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, one of Australia’s most popular attractions. Visitors can enjoy a sunset view of a one of the largest penguin colonies in the country as they trek from the sea back to their nests in the sand dunes. Learn fun facts about penguins from a local guide and bring your newfound trivia back home with you.

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