PLAN A DAY VISIT TO ARTHURS SEAT & ROCKING GONDOLA
- Traveldriven
- Mar 19, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 8
Arthurs Seat
Arthur's Seat stands 314 meters above sea level. The winding road leading to the summit is fully sealed. It features several hairpin bends with a speed limit of 15 km per hour, which are best navigated in first gear if driving a manual. It's not as challenging as it might seem. The road is in excellent condition as of 2025. There is a Summit Café with plenty of seating and food options. The Arthurs Seat Gondola end point & Lookout are in the same area. The operators do close the Gondola if high winds develop.
No Gondola passengers are left on the top if there is a closure. The Gondola operators' return riders by road vehicle to the lower entry area if the need arises. There are views of Port Phillip Bay through the tops of the surrounding bushland trees from Arthurs Seat summit. Although the views are generally obscured by trees.
Arthurs Seat is thirty minutes drive from the seaside town of Sorrento and the car carrying ferry that crosses the bay to Queenscliff. Most of the coastal road is busy in the summer months. The drive is partly driven on freeway and it is a seventy minute drive from Melbourne CBD on this side of the bay. Arthurs Seat is in a built-up area as is much of the coastal Mornington Peninsula of Victoria.
Hot and High Winds Forecast
On this visit the daily forecast was predicting a temperature of 37°C and high winds. This led to the necessary precaution of closing the Gondola for safety reasons. It is advisable to plan a trip to ride the Gondola on a day with a forecast of low winds to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Despite the closure, the day still offered a pleasant drive with scenic views. A notable feature near the café is a cast statue depicting a larger-than-life eagle, adding a touch of artistry to the surroundings. Additionally, visitors can find an outdoor chair named Arthurs Seat, inviting them to take a seat and enjoy a moment of relaxation. This harmless and fun activity resembles an all-weather throne, creating a whimsical and intriguing sight for visitors to appreciate.
Traveldriven
DRIVE ARTHURS SEAT LOOKOUT
EAGLE & ARTHURS SEAT
EAGLE ROCK HIGH WINDS CLOSURE
BAYSIDE FISH & CHIPS SORRENTO
UNDER THE PINES
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