Aaron Schultz, musician
Despite hailing from country Victoria, and having lived all over Melbourne at different times, the Mornington Peninsula has always been a constant in Aaron Schultz’s life. His ties to the coast run all the way back to his childhood, when his family would frequently take road trips down to Rye, often via the ferry across Port Phillip Bay.
Later, while playing guitar for post-hardcore band Behind Crimson Eyes, Aaron would spend days writing music at former guitarist Kevin Orr’s family home in Somerville in the mid 2000s. The laidback coastal villages, combined with some of the state’s best produce and wineries nearby, made the decision to move and raise his family on the peninsula an easy decision.
“These days, as a father of three, birthdays and special family occasions are almost always celebrated at one of our favourite places on the peninsula,” says Aaron.
Aaron now plays as one of the three guitarists in Melbourne rock band Chasing Ghosts, but in between gigs and late nights in the city, he loves returning to his little slice of paradise for some R&R by the water.
We caught up with Aaron to chat about the Mornington Peninsula, including his top tips for the region.
1. Rain Hayne & Shine
Our kids absolutely love
Rain Hayne and Shine and we take them there every chance we get. It’s a full farmyard experience where you can feed the goats, pigs, geese, ducks, donkeys, and everything else you could think of! It’s perfect for birthdays.
2. Main Ridge Dairy
You wouldn’t think cheese tasting would be on the top of an eight year old’s birthday requests, but it was and is still a favourite with our family.
Main Ridge Dairy is set on a pretty spectacular landscape and serves some sensational goats’ cheese and local wines. You can’t go wrong with the cheese platter.
3. Glamping on Balnarring Beach
One of the best weekends we’ve had was a
Happy Glamper experience on Balnarring Beach. We took the whole family and when we got there we found a massive tent was already set up with bedding, fridge, fairy lights, games, picnic basket and everything else we could need. The best bit was the location right beside the beach.
4. Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm
Formerly known as Sunny Ridge,
Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm is a great afternoon out. Buy some empty punnet boxes then walk around the fields and pick your own strawberries at your own pace. It’s not as easy as it sounds and you’ll work up a sweat, but the home-made strawberry ice-cream from the cafe is the ultimate reward.
5. Green Olive at Red Hill
Sensational food and exceptional wine, this place has it all.
Green Olive at Red Hill is exceptionally family friendly, with ducks, sheep, and cows to show the kids as well as a play area with an Olympic trampoline. They help make things easy with their picnic experiences, where you get a basket already filled with goodies as well as the picnic rug, cutlery and glasses.
