Seawinds Gardens Arthrus Seat – Everything to see and do (2025)

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Seawinds Gardens, a hilltop wonderland perched 305m high in the Mornington Peninsula suburb of Arthrus Seat

I have literally visited Seawinds Gardens dozens of times and let me tell you, rain, hail or shine, this place is a real treat for young and old.

With it’s unique blend of indigenous and exotic gardens and panoramic views across Port Phillip Bay, this 34 hectare hilltop garden will captivate your senses. Don’t be surprised if you get lost wandering around up here for hours on end.

So, whether you’re up for a scenic bush walk, a laid-back picnic with the kookaburras, or you want to find a unique playground for the kids, there is absolutely something here for everyone.

So let’s go and explore Seawinds Gardens, Arthurs Seat.

WHERE IS SEAWINDS GARDENS & HOW DO I GET THERE?

Seawinds Gardens is located off Purves Road in Arthurs Seat – orange marker on the map below.

(I’ve also marked places of interest at Seawinds Gardens on the below map. Click on the top right icon to open the map up in a new browser.)

Unless you’re an adventurous cyclist, you’ll need a car to get there.

My advice would be to take the very steep and windy, but exhilarating, car ride up Arthurs Seat Road to get to Seawinds.

There are three scenic lookout points along Arthurs Seat Road – Franklins Lookout, Murrays Lookout and Chapmans Lookout – where you can park the car and stop to appreciate the breathtaking views across Port Phillip Bay.

You’ll also wind your way below the Arthurs Seat Gondolas, also known as The Eagle.

Speaking of The Eagle, if you don’t feel like driving up the long and windy road, you can park your car at the bottom of Arthurs Seat Road and jump on The Eagle for gondola access to Seawinds Gardens too.

Seawinds Gardens is a short walk from the Arthurs Seat Eagle Summit Station (red dot on the map above).

7 THINGS TO DO AND SEE AT SEAWINDS GARDENS, ARTHURS SEAT

Whether you’ve only got thirty minutes to wander through the gardens to one of the main lookout points, or a whole afternoon to have a picnic and go on one of the bush walks, Seawinds Gardens if most definitely worth the effort to visit.

So, let me share all the wonderful things to do and explore at Seawinds Gardens, Mornington Peninsula’s highest park and garden.

1. Wander the Gardens

One of the main walking trails through Seawinds Gardens

Originally part of the traditional lands of the Bunurong People, Seawinds Gardens later became a cherished retreat for European settlers. In the 1940’s, Sir Thomas and Lady Travers developed the gardens, laying the foundations for the serene landscapes visitors enjoy today. 

The property’s gardens reflect this evolution with a blend of indigenous flora and European style gardens and forests. 

You’ll find a lot of the indigenous flora in what’s called the Seawinds Nursery Volunteers Indigenous Garden. What was once an open paddock, is now a lush native garden and bushland area, which was created by very hard working locals alongside Parks Victoria.

The rest of Seawinds Gardens contain a mix of evergreen trees like pines, cypress and Moreton Bay fig and deciduous trees like maples, liquid ambers, beech and  pin oaks

As you stroll around the property, you can truly get lost among the many pockets of diverse and magical landscapes. 

Added bonus, many of the paths are well maintained and designed to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges.

2. See the most magical Autumn display the Peninsula has to offer

While we’re on the topic of trees, Seawinds Gardens, in my humble opinion, puts on the best display of Autumn colour you’ll find on the whole Peninsula!

I find mid April to early May the best time for seeing the deciduous trees of Seawinds Gardens showing off their kaleidoscope of colour.

3. Nature themed Playground

The nature-inspired playground at Seawinds Gardens is an absolute favourite with my daughter and her friends.

It’s situated by the top car park in a truly idyllic spot that’s surrounded by greenery and gum trees.

Plus, it’s near the toilets, and if you have kids, you definitely know how important that is!

The playground is made from natural elements like logs and large stones instigating not just physical play, but a space for children to be imaginative and engage in make believe.

There’s soft matting underfoot and your usual favourite playground elements like slides, climbing ropes and swings.

Plus, there’s an interactive element to the playground with metal wallabies for children to count and poke their head through too!

With BBQ’s nearby too, it’s a perfect spot for a family picnic or your child’s next birthday party!

4. Seawinds Gardens Walking Trails

Seawinds Gardens at Arthrus Seat offers an array of walking trails to cater for all levels of fitness. Whether you’re seeking a leisurely stroll or a more challenging hike, the three trails mentioned below provide an immersive experience into the heart of the Mornington Peninsula’s gorgeous landscape.

– Map of Seawinds Gardens Walking Trails

To see the map and trails in more detail, click on the top square-shaped icon to open the map up in a new browser.

a.) Summit Circuit Walk

One of my favourite casual walks to do on the whole Peninsula, is the Seawinds Circuit Walk.

It’s an easy 1.8km loop, with a wide variety of landscapes and things to look at along the way, and not so challenging that you can’t take all the kids with you!

The walk meanders through the gardens and surrounding bushland.

Along the way you’ll pass the Arthurs Seat Eagle Gondolas.

You’ll encounter the historic Matthew Flinders Cairn, a collection of William Ricketts sculptures, several lookouts offering panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay and interesting boardwalks and dirt tracks that keep things interesting along the way.

Keep your eyes posted for echidnas as you walk, I’ve spotted them often!

Depending on how fast you walk and how often you stop to admire the views, the walk should take around an hour. The track is very well-signposted making is super easy to navigate.

b.) TC McKellar Circuit Walk

Starting at the Seawinds Gardens information shelter, the TC McKellar Walk is a 1km loop that takes you through the hillside bushland of this area.

This shaded and gently sloping trail is especially vibrant in spring when the area is truly green after spring rains and when the native wildflowers are in bloom.

The TC McKellar walking track is great for any fitness level and brilliant to do with kids.

c.) Two Bays Walking Track

For those looking for more of a challenge, the Two Bays Walking Track does make its way to Seawinds Gardens.

The Two Bays Walking Track is actually a 26km walk that spans from Dromana to Cape Schanck.

From Seawinds Gardens you can access segments of the trail, offering a more extended hiking experience through varied terrains and scenic vistas.

When I want a quick, but challenging hike, I’ll park my car at the bottom of Arthurs Seat at the LaTrobe Parade car park, and take the very steep and rocky 2.1km section of the Two Bays Walking Track up to Seawinds Gardens.

If you hike really fast, you can reach the top in about 30 minutes before resting your tired butt in the goregous scenrey of Seawinds for a rest prior to making your way back down again.

You can of course always start from Seawinds Gardens and hike down and then back up again, but I like to save the downhill section for the way back as my reward for the climb!

5. The Views

Because Seawinds Gardens is located on the highest part of the Mornington Peninsula, Arthurs Seat, the views you’ll be greeted with at Seawinds are primo!

There are two main lookout points, which are well sign posted: The Bay Lookout and the Northern Lookout. I’ve added markers for these two lookouts on the map above.

You’ll also find spectacular lookouts if you do the Summit Circuit Walk, especially from the Matthew Flinders Cairn.

All the lookout points face west and provide gorgeous panoramic views across Port Phillip Bay. 

Come at dusk and watch the sunset directly across the bay, it’s magical!

6. Kangaroos

Dare to stray off the walking tracks of Seawinds Gardens and guaranteed, you will step in kangaroo poo, it’s everywhere!

And while the kangaroo poo is not a drawcard to visiting Seawinds, it’s the animals that deposit it that are the main attraction, i.e. the kangaroos!

There are many kangaroos at Seawinds. They are very shy during the day, but visit early morning or late afternoon so come during these times if you want to spot these Aussie favourites.

7. William Ricketts Sculptures

Close to the Northern Lookout you’ll find a stone wall featuring five sculptures by famous Melbournian artist, William Ricketts (1898 – 1993).

Ricketts’ art embraces Aboriginal spirituality and respect for the natural world, which is obvious from the sculptures you’ll see here at Seawinds.

You’ll also find a tablet on this wall commemorating the traditional owners of this land, the Bunnurong people. 

I feel like this section of Seawinds Gardens is a small shrine to remember and commemorate the original owners of this land.