There’s another ‘M’ suburb we love, in addition to Mt Martha, Mt Eliza and Mornington. It’s McCrae, and the township has a fascinating history.

McCrae is a charming coastal suburb nestled between Rosebud and Dromana. The area has its own coastal frontage which means the beach is secluded, safe and quiet. It is regarded as one of the most stunning on Port Phillip Bay's shore, it’s position in the bay along the Peninsula ensuring the waters are smooth and tranquil.

The area was named after the McCrae family who were the first Europeans to settle in the area. They built McCrae Homestead which is now a National Trust property that is open to the public. The homestead was built at the foot of Arthurs Seat in 1844 by Andrew McCrae, a lawyer, and his wife Georgiana Huntly McCrae (a portrait artist of note who passed away in 1890). Georgiana was born in London in 1804 and married Andrew McCrae in 1830. Andrew McCrae emigrated to Port Phillip in 1840 followed by Georgiana and her children who arrived in 1841.

One of Victoria's oldest homesteads, the walls of the house are made from local timbers including stringybark, messmate and wattle, and 3000 bricks that arrived from Williamstown on a small sailing boat. Georgiana designed the house, and while it is small it is well thought through. The beautiful home chronicles what life was like for people who lived here during the very beginning years in Victoria.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/mccrae-homestead/

Set at the based on Arthurs Seat State Park, McCrae is also graced with beautiful properties that offer an incredible view across the bay to the Bellarine Peninsula and towards Mt Martha. The sunsets are glorious.

McCrae is also known for the McCrae Lighthouse, which marked the turning point for shipping in the main navigational channels between Port Phillip Heads and Melbourne. The steel edifice was assembled in England in 1874 then shipped to McCrae and erected in 1883. Whilst no longer operational, it is a much loved landmark.

As well as having an interesting history, McCrae is now a thriving community with a vibrant café culture and some of our favourite dining destinations:

Alatonero (The prettiest and most delicious Greek restaurant on the Mornington Peninsula)

http://www.alatonero.com.au/

Merchant & Marker (Winner of ‘Best Bites’ best café on the Mornington Peninsula two years running!)

https://www.merchantmaker.com.au/

The Lighthouse Café (TLC) (A fabulous local Thai restaurant)

681 Point Nepean Rd, McCrae (5982 1130)

www.danckert.com.au