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Out and about at the southernmost tip of Australia
Charming villas overlooking the water on the Mornington Peninsula, with a strikingly accessible nature reserve just round the corner.
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An hour’s drive south of Melbourne, nestled amongst vineyards and reed beds, lie the Lakeside Villas. Within driving distance lies Wilsons Promontory, one of Australia’s most accessible nature reserves. Accommodation and the natural surroundings here have been thoughtfully designed — without ever feeling like a care setting. A truly memorable experience for the whole family.
The place
The Lakeside Villas at Crittenden Estate There are three charming villas built on stilts above the water, set amidst a tranquil landscape of vineyards and reed beds on the Mornington Peninsula.
It’s a true family story: Garry Crittenden planted the first vines here in 1982 — now the oldest on the peninsula — and the estate is now run by the second generation. Linda Crittenden manages the 4.5-star villas with an eye for the little details that make a stay special, including accessibility.
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The accommodation
From the private carport, you can roll or walk straight into the villa via a ramp. The living area is spacious, the floors are level and hard, and there is plenty of room to manoeuvre around the bed. The bathroom has a roll-in shower with grab rails, a shower seat available on request and a generous turning circle; threshold ramps are provided for internal doors where necessary.
Yet everything feels warm and homely: a villa that blends into the landscape, with a terrace overlooking the lake and views of birds, rippling water and vineyards. What’s particularly noteworthy is how openly Lakeside Villas communicate about their accessibility — with a detailed description and a virtual 3D tour Have a go at assessing for yourself beforehand whether everything is right for you.
The activities
Here, the facilities are not an afterthought, but an integral part of what’s on offer — they don’t just provide access, they restore the freedom to choose how you spend your day: relaxing, active or adventurous.
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Mornington Peninsula
Near the accommodation, you’ll find accessible beaches and leisure areas, boat trips on adapted vessels, and thermal baths with a wide range of accessible facilities. Intimate, welcoming and peaceful — a pleasant and safe base for those with reduced mobility setting out on a trip.
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Wilson Promontory Park
In “de Prom”, accessibility is even more prominent. The Loo-Errn Walk is a flat boardwalk along the Tidal River, peaceful and soothing; the Prom Wildlife Walk is a loop along compacted gravel where you can spot kangaroos, wombats and emus in the wild. These aren’t watered-down alternatives, but genuine experiences of nature. With beach wheelchairs, all-terrain wheelchairs and the TrailRider, you can also access soft sand, coastal paths and dunes that would otherwise be difficult to reach.
Does this trip sound like something you’d like to do?
Tell us what you’re dreaming of, and we’ll put together a bespoke itinerary — from accommodation and activities to transport and the right support services on the ground. Clear and hassle-free, for a fixed fee.