Visitor Publications

Township of Rye

Rye’s well maintained foreshore has long attracted family holiday makers and, more recently, windsurfers who revel in its long stretch of shallow water and strong offshore breezes. Bayside cycling tracks through the teatree are family favourites.

Limeburners were the first permanent settlers in the area during the 1840s and it remained the major industry of the Southern Peninsula for several decades. The lack of a pier for the paddle steamers meant that Rye was just beyond the reach of early tourists, but motor car ownership saw numbers grow from the 1950s, and they haven’t stopped coming since.

Overlooking the Bay and with a warmth, hospitality and charm all its own, the Rye Hotel provides excellent facilities for locals and visitors. A centre piece of entertainment in Rye the hotel has live entertainment and function rooms for all occasions. They also have Tatts Pokies facilities and in keeping with its own special style the Rye has a ‘gaming lounge’ with plush sofas and comfortable surroundings.

The bottleshop has an extended range of premium wines and includes many from the Peninsula. And the kids aren’t forgotten with the Ryeders Playzone and there own special menu.

The Rye Hotel situated opposite the beach was the winner in 2002 of the Australian Hotel Association State Awards for Excellence – Best Redeveloped Hotel – Best Tattersalls Gaming Room – Best Country Clean Air Initiative – a real hat trick!

At the Rye Hotel you can dine either in the family bistro, the Garden Courtyard or outside in the al fresco café, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner - in fact they now serve meals and snacks all day.

Rye is ideally and centrally located to the many attractions of the Southern Peninsula - just a few minutes to the boardwalks and splendid coastal scenery of the Mornington Peninsula National Park, from Cape Schanck to Point Nepean or Arthur’s Seat and the wine touring areas.

The Pier is a major feature and a magnet for visitors, set against a beautiful foreshore with bbq facilities, large rotunda and playground. A perfect holiday resort for young families with safe beaches and sand banks at low tide, Rye also has fabulous ocean beaches and a wealth of accommodation options from comfortable motels, b&bs and cottages to 5 star resorts. In January each year Rye hosts the family favourite Rye Beach Carnival, the Rye Gift Foot Race.

Explore the lime kiln on the foreshore at the western end of township, play golf at the Dunes, ride the ocean beach with Gunnamatta Trail Rides or hire a boat and explore the Bay. Rye is a place full of fun activities for everyone in every season.

Things to do

Major Events

Accomodation

Name Category/Type Phone No. Rating Page
One Four Nelson Best Western Luxury Suites 03 5985 7222 82
Aquabelle Apartment 1300 880 319 ½ 8
Weeroona Apartment 03 5985 3946 ½ 127