Looking for a weekend activity that’s fun for the whole family? We’ve rounded up a bunch of the best kid-friendly breweries on the Mornington Peninsula, so you can get out and explore with the kids in tow.
St Andrews Beach Brewery
A family-friendly brewery set in old stables, St Andrews Beach Brewery has plenty of space for the kids to run free. The stables-turned-private dining booths wrap around the enclosed courtyard, with picnic tables lined up across an expansive lawn area.
The kitchen serves up wood-fired pizzas, burgers and hot wings, alongside fancier fare such as Hiramasa kingfish crudo, beetroot bruschetta and fried pickle chips. There’s also a dedicated kids' menu featuring cheeseburger sliders and chicken nuggets to keep little hands busy.
There are six brews in the brewery’s core range, with beer hops and fruit trees for cider grown on site. Located in Fingal – a hop, skip and a jump away from Gunnamatta Ocean Beach – it’s the perfect destination for a family road trip.
Jetty Road Brewery
Tucked away in Dromana Industrial Estate, Jetty Road Brewery has a laid-back local vibe with tasty food, live music, and some of the Mornington Peninsula’s finest beers. The IPA is a crowd favourite, or you can try one of the limited release sours or collaboration brews.
Step into the back courtyard, and you’ll find an undercover cubby house and giant jenga for the kids (or the young at heart). Picky eaters are well catered for with penne pasta, cheesy flatbread, crumbed chicken tenders and icecream sundaes on the menu. Got a furry family members in the car with you? The outdoor seating area is also dog-friendly, meaning no one is left at home.
Devilbend Farm Beer
Run by fourth-generation farmers in Tuerong, the team at Devilbend Farm Beer know a thing or two about family traditions. Their paddock-to-pint philosophy means that all of their hops and grain are grown on-site, making their beer super fresh and hyper-local to the Mornington Peninsula.
Here, you’ll find ten tap beers on offer, served alongside a seasonal paddock- (or garden) to-plate menu. There’s also a cosy kids' corner in the restaurant and a huge playground behind the beer garden for them to run amok. After burning off some energy, they can refuel with toasties, meatballs and chicken shnittys with the rest of the crew.
Red Hill Brewery
Housed in an old barn in the leafy hinterlands of Red Hill, this little brewery is full of rustic charm. There are six beers available on tap year-round, with a slew of seasonal releases including the double barrel range. Expect casual bites and beer snacks – jalapeno poppers, loaded fries, burgers, ribs, and cheeseburgers for the kids.
After you’ve sampled the goods (and grabbed some to takeaway), you can head to one of the nearby playgrounds at Red Hill Station or Red Hill Bushland Reserve.
Jimmy Rum
Okay, we know this one is technically a distillery, but it deserves a special mention for being so well set-up for kids. You can sit back and sip on a crafted rum cocktail whilst the kids busy themselves in the sandpit, battle each other over giant lawn games, or make themselves at home on the comfy bean bags. There's also live music on weekends and $14 cocktails on a Friday night.
As for the food? Expect a seasonal snack menu, which might include truffle croquettes and duck fat potatoes, or Sambal fried chicken and shitake bao buns. The kids' menu also has all the good stuff – fries, mac and cheese, burgers and choc tops.
Need more inspo? Find more fun things to do with the kids by exploring our kid-friendly tag.
