Sorrento offers a glimpse into the early settlement past of Australia with historic sites and museums full of stories, the opportunity to enjoy up close encounters with wildlife, and enjoy traditional Australian cuisine. Visitors will leave with an authentic Australian experience.
1. Swim with dolphins and fur seals
Enjoy the gorgeous Australian sea with some memorable aquatic swim buddies: dolphins and fur seals! Experience an up close encounter that most only dream about. These playful creatures are highly respected by the crew at Polperro Dolphin Swims (named after the Muir family’s boat). Judy Muir is a marine advocate, campaigning for better legislation about human-wild animal interaction that keeps the animals best interests in mind. Visitors will embark out to the sea on the boat, with all the gear provided, and enter the sea. Swimmers can wait for the curious dolphins to approach them, watch them play amongst themselves, snorkel the reef, and keep an eye out for seals. After the day’s fun is over, visitors can enjoy complimentary tea, coffee, and hot chocolate (along with fresh baked scones).
Contact: +61 3 5988 8437
Website: Polperro Dolphin Swims
2. Visit the Gallery Sorrento
A great way to experience a place and a culture is to see it through the eyes of the locals. Visitors to the Gallery Sorrento can do just that. This quirky exhibit features art from established Australian artists of a variety of works, from jewelry to paintings. A quick stop here can offer a cultured break from the hot Australian sun. The works are continually rotating, and the curator works to ensure a variety of artistic styles to appeal art lovers of all genres.
Gallery Sorrento
Address: 141 & 152 Ocean Beach Rd., Sorrento, Victoria
3. Enjoy the beach by stand up paddle board or take surf lessons
Swimming is not the only way to enjoy the beach. Locals recommend checking out the Sorrento Back Beach for more consistent and powerful waves, perfect for water sports. Active explorers can try their hand at stand-up paddleboarding or surfing. For beginners, rest assured that stand-up paddleboarding is much easier than it looks (and much more stable than it looks). It’s a good way to get a leisurely workout. For those wishing to try their hand at the iconically Australian sport of surfing, there’s a surf school offering lessons. Either adventure will allow you to enjoy the Australian coast in a hands-on way.
Sorrento Back Beach
Website: Sorrento Back Beach
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4. Walk along the artists trail to see the scenery that inspired local artists
Australian art often focuses on the relationship between the artist and nature. It’s easy to see why with a walk along the Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail. It’s a stroll along the coast offering a stunning vista (one that inspired many local artists’ work). Along the path, fourteen artworks are installed for visitors to enjoy. Art fans can enjoy the interplay between nature and the works that depict nature along the trail. The less artistically passionate can enjoy a beautiful view of the coast. No matter your interests, the walk offers an active way to enjoy Australian nature.
Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail
Website: learn more
5. Tour the shore, cliffs, historic seaside towns, and a historical shipwreck by kayak
One way to learn about history is to study it in a book or museum. Another is to experience it by kayak. Sea Kayak Australia allows visitors to rent kayaks for a self-conducted tour of historic Sorrento. Historical houses dot the cliffside, the skeletal remains of old towns. Curious visitors can explore a former quarantine station, and even paddle around an old shipwreck. This area was a key player in the early settlement of Australia, and offers enticing views to historical buffs. A gourmet lunch is provided (and the possibility of spotting dolphins out on the sea). The view of the coast, in addition to the view of the historical towns, is well worth a visit.
Sorrento Full Day Kayak Tour
Address: 12 Turner Street, Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067
Price: from 115 - 139 USD
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.
Website: Sea Kayak Tours
6. Enjoy authentic Australian cuisine and wine at Cakes and Ale
Enjoying the cuisine of a culture is a great way to experience a place. Cakes and Ale Bistro allows visitors to enjoy authentic Australian meals and drinks. The meals are comprised of locally grown produce, foraged ingredients, organic meat, handmade cheese, and fish from the top ethical fisheries. These fresh meals are bursting with flavor in dishes like the cherry tree organic lamb and pine nut meatballs. The wines come from around the world, from the French Chateau de Brigue Provence Rose to the Australian Coombe Farm Pinot Gris. Enjoy a fresh Australian meal as a way to experience authentic Australia.
Cakes and Ale
Address: 102 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, Victoria, 3943
Website: Cakes and Ale
7. Dazzle your tastebuds with the iconic Sorrento dessert
The local dessert of Sorrento is the vanilla slice, a decadent pastry that offers a perfect amount of sweetness after a long day of sightseeking. Visitors can enjoy a variety of other food too at Just Fine Food, from pies to fresh sandwiches. Whatever your craving, you can find it here.
Just Fine Food
Address: 23 Ocean Road, Sorrento, Victoria, 3943
Website: Just Fine Food
8. Step back in time at the Collins Settlement Historic Site
A famous historic site in Sorrento is the Collins Settlement Historic Site. The area was settled in 1803, chosen because of its beneficial location near the Bay’s entrance, and was the first effort to make a permanent European settlement. It eventually failed and was abandoned. The Australian government took ownership of the area in 1982, funded in part by local donations of those wishing to preserve the history of the area. Among the settlement visitors can visit four gravesites of the original 30 settlers.
Collins Settlement Historic Site
Website: Visit Melbourne
9. Learn about the area’s history at the Sorrento Museum
The Sorrento Museum features a hands-on way to learn about the area’s past. Visitors can enjoy exhibits on the history of Sorrento. There is also a bookshop stocked full of intriguing books from local authors, some well-known and other obscure, but all offering insight into the history and culture of the area. Cost of museum entry is $5 for adults and $2 for teenagers (and free for children, as long as they are with an adult). The museum is open from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. After a museum visit, you can see Watts’ Cottage which was built in 1869 by the first settlers.
Sorrento Museum
Address: 827 Melbourne Rd Sorrento, Australia
Price: 5 USD adult, free for children
Sorrento gives an authentic Australian experience
Sorrento offers visitors the opportunity to experience authentic Australia. You can sample Australian food. Swim with Australian wildlife. View Australian art. Learn about Australian history. A visit to Sorrento offers something for every visitor.
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