Safety Beach revamp: New development set to widen the appeal of a Mornington Peninsula favourite

With a beautiful sheltered bay, a palm-studded golf course and a popular marina, Safety Beach has long been a favourite with holidaymakers and the 5000 or so locals who call the Mornington Peninsula suburb home.

But it’s set to widen its appeal with the completion of the Moorings, stage one of Marina Village Martha Cove.

Designed by Karl Fender of Fender Katsalidis, the 43-apartment development has raised the bar on waterfront living in the area and is already more than 70 per cent sold.

“We don’t actually have a lot of apartments down here, so it’s very exciting,” says McEwing Partners agent Chelsey Gibson. “It’s a prestigious location and they’ve done a really great job. The Moorings and their vision for the coming years will provide the infrastructure the area needs.”

New eatery

Included within the Moorings and due to open at the end of the month is Martha’s Table, a restaurant, bar, grocer and cellar door expected to inject new life into Martha Cove.

Joel Alderson has landed the role of head chef and will source the best produce in the peninsula to smoke and cook over a Tuscan grill.

Alderson, who earned his stripes at Attica, Royal Mail and the Windsor Hotel, moved to the peninsula two years ago with his partner and their young son as senior sous chef at Point Leo Restaurant in Merricks.

“We had a good friend who has a winery down here and we used to visit quite often,” he says. “We fell in love with the area; it’s refreshing when you come from the city.”

The beaches, the farms and the fresh produce all resonated with Alderson, who was looking for a new challenge.

“I saw what was happening at the marina,” he says. “It was clear it would be fairly substantial and I thought that was exciting.”

Lifestyle drawcards

Alderson says Safety Beach used to be the kind of suburb you might pass through to get somewhere else but says the new development, once fully realised, will give people a reason to come and stay.

And you’ll never be far from a winery or cafe, with neighbouring towns offering plenty of both. There are also diverse galleries for art lovers, national parks for walking and picnicking and the whole spectrum of water activities, from surfing and fishing to sailing, diving and paddle boarding.

Gibson says Safety Beach continues to attract retirees from Melbourne and downsizers from acreages on the peninsula.

“It’s perfect for anyone looking for a quiet lifestyle on the water,” she says.

Top home in the area

Overlooking the marina, this brand-new apartment has oak floors, a Miele kitchen with stone waterfall benchtops, balcony access from all three bedrooms and basement lift access.

It is for sale through McEwing Partners agent Chelsey Gibson with a $1.475 million guide