2026 Rye Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in March)

The Mornington Peninsula is a peninsula located south of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is surrounded by Port Phillip to the west, Western Port to the east and Bass Strait to the south, and is connected to the mainland in the north. Geographically, the peninsula begins its protrusion from the mainland in the area between Pearcedale and an area north of Frankston. The area was originally home to the Mayone-bulluk and Boonwurrung-Balluk clans and formed part of the Boonwurrung nation's territory prior to European settlement. The peninsula is primarily a local tourist region, with popular natural attractions such as the variety of beaches both sheltered and open-sea and many scenic sights and views. Other popular attractions include the various wineries, mazes and the diverse array of water sports made available by the diversity of beaches and calm waters of Port Phillip and Western Port. Most visitors to the peninsula are residents of Melbourne who camp, rent villas and share houses or stay in private beach houses.

Rye, a holiday destination near Melbourne, became even more special this Christmas holiday when we unexpectedly booked a stay at Sunny Side Up B&B Rye. We absolutely loved it! 💕 The hosts are a very friendly couple. Although the booking app mentioned 24-hour check-in, we arrived late only to realize it wasn't actually 24-hour check-in. However, the male host kindly waited for us to check in. The room was very clean and spacious, with all amenities provided except for a toothbrush. For breakfast the next day, you can pre-select your preferences upon check-in and hand it to the hosts. It's essentially a customized gourmet breakfast, and you can enjoy it in the outdoor garden seating area. The Rosebud Beach is just a short distance away, so after breakfast, you can head there to soak up the sun!

Who brought the deep-sea fairy tale into the city? It’s the Aquarium Beauty Apartment 🐠 Open the door and instantly fall into a blue dreamland, where flowing curves outline gentle coral-like shapes, and macaron blue clashes with pearl white to create a heart-fluttering girly vibe 💖 The guest rooms come with panoramic glass viewing walls, with tropical fish swimming right before your eyes and coral shadows swaying with the light 🌙 String lights above the bed twinkle like tiny stars, and the soft ocean-themed bedding wraps you in the gentleness of sea breeze, even the pillows are shaped like little fish 🐡 The vanity holds a shell storage box, the bathroom is scented with sea salt fragrance, and every corner hides a little “glowing beauty” secret ✨ 🌿 The healing public areas are perfect for photos! Giant aquarium tanks in the lobby slowly host manta rays swimming by, trendy hanging chairs hang in front of blue and white ripple walls, every snap feels like a mermaid princess moment 📸 Ocean-themed drinks are available 24/7, with blue citrus sparkling water that tastes like drinking the waves 🌊 In the evening, enjoy the breeze on the terrace, look up to the city nightscape, look down to the flowing starlight in the aquarium, and the romance level is maxed out 💫 Thoughtful perks all around 💯 Smart toilets + massage bathtubs unlock ultimate relaxation, girls get exclusive makeup removal kits and hairbands, even the hairdryer is a high-top genius tool ~ Just a 5-minute walk to the shopping district, explore and snack by day, fall asleep surrounded by fish at night—this is the vacation experience every beauty deserves 🌌 📢 Book now and get an aquarium interactive experience! Feed the little seahorses by hand, unlock the penguin feeding show (limited times) 🐧 Friends traveling together enjoy photo shoot services, couples booking can upgrade to underwater view rooms. Come join a romantic date with the deep sea ~ 🦋 Live your days like an underwater fairy tale, waiting for you to unlock your exclusive romance~

I came here just to relax a little… and ended up healing my entire soul. Location is perfect — close to the beach, close to the hot springs, and far away from all my responsibilities. Ideal. The staff were so friendly I almost asked if they wanted to adopt me. In conclusion: I arrived tired and stressed. I left well-rested, peaceful, and considering quitting my job to become a full-time vacation person. 📍Boathouse Boathouse Resort Studios & Suites

🚩 Sightseeing Route • On the way to Rye hotel, there is so much more to see than being planned. Explore every place! 💯💯 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions • AMAZING! CLOSE TO ALL THE TOURIST AND BEACHES ACROSS THE ROAD. 🚇 Transportation • This place is great for public transportation esp that this is located near where all the shops are and bus stops. 📷 Photo Spots • Good instagramable photos! 🍜 Local Cuisine • They also have restaurant and pub in front 💯 🏠 Accommodation • Rye hotel is spacious, big room (I never expected how the space so big, and the pool is warm. Perfect for a cold weather). Enjoy your vacation guys! This place is affordable yet so spacious, clean, HUGE, and money worthy overall! 😍🥰

I stayed at this hotel with a friend this time and had a wonderful overall experience! The room was clean and tidy, and the space was quite spacious. It was very comfortable for two people and we didn't feel cramped. The bathroom amenities were very thoughtful, with two sets of shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner provided, so we didn't have to worry about running out. Since we checked in at night, I didn't take any special photos. The attached photos are from the morning, and the comforter is a little messy 😆. The pool is right outside the room, and the view is amazing. It's a pity that we didn't get to go in the water because it was too cold, otherwise it would have been even more enjoyable! Overall, this was a great stay, with a comfortable environment and excellent service. I'd definitely stay again if I have the chance! #HotelExperience #AccommodationShare #TravelDiary