The Arthurs Seat Eagle on the Mornington Peninsula is one of Victoria’s most visited attractions. The Eagle is a series of gondolas, ferrying visitors to heights over Dromana to reveal captivating views of the peninsula, surrounding coastal villages and State Park. The Arthurs Seat Eagle is just under an hour and a half’s drive from Melbourne, but what the Arthurs Seat Eagle encapsulates is the value and the beauty of the journey rather than merely travelling from A to B.
The Arthurs Seat Eagle started its journeys back in late 2016, and the partially enclosed gondolas mean that you can travel in almost all weather conditions. The round trip takes just under 30 minutes and you can opt to disembark at the top to explore Arthurs Seat’s park grounds. You can also opt to travel one way, then walk up or down the hill at your own pace.
It’s interesting how Arthurs Seat found its name. According to history, it was named by some of the first British explorers who entered neighbouring Port Phillip Bay, because the hill resembled Arthurs Seat Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland. Captain Matthew Flinders was the first European explorer to climb Arthurs Seat. Yet, human life has existed in this part of Victoria for thousands of years.
Mornington Peninsula was also home to the indigenous Australian tribe, the Boonwurrung people. Being nomadic, the Boonwurrung people travelled in groups searching of food around the shores of Port Phillip, the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port. The Boonwurrung’s territories extend as far the south-east as Wilsons Promontory.
When you reach the summit of Arthurs Seat, you can explore the manicured gardens, alongside the wilder bushlands and native plants. This space was known in the early 1930’s as the Garden of the Moon, which brought tourism to the local area. At the summit, you’ll be sure to spot some of the region’s native animals including brown bandicoots, koalas, kangaroos and owls, not to mention the symbolic wedge-tailed eagle.
A chairlift was constructed and opened in 1960, an open chairlift operation that ferried travellers to the summit for generations to come. The chairlift was eventually closed in 2006. After a complete redesign and development, The Arthurs Seat Eagle was opened to the public just under two years ago.
The Arthurs Seat Eagle is as popular as ever, and is inching closer to welcoming 500,000 travellers since its opening back in 2016.
Fly like an Eagle at Arthurs Seat Eagle and enjoy walks through the summit’s gardens. Buy tickets and board the Eagle at the base station located at 795 Arthurs Seat Road, Dromana Victoria 3936 Australia. Phone: 03 5987 0600.
Return trips for adults are $24.00, $15.00 for children aged 4 to 16 years, and concession $21.00. Concession is defined as Australian travellers showing an acceptable, valid concession card. International seniors can also gain a concession by showing their passport at the ticket box.
For a one-way ticket, adults are $17.50, $11.00 for children aged 4 to 16 years, and $15.00 for concession.
The Arthurs Seat Eagle is open seven days, but it’s recommended to check opening and closing times before your journey. Visit their website to check these opening times, depending on the season.
Disclaimer: All entry fees were paid in full by Justine de Jonge.
