Ashcombe Maze is opening its iconic grounds for a new series of exclusive food, wine and lifestyle experiences this summer. Set among ten hectares of sculpted hedge mazes, redwood groves, lush lawns and tranquil waterways, Summer of Love invites visitors to explore the gardens in the soft glow of twilight, at sunrise, and under the canopy of summer evenings.
Across the program, guests will discover specially curated events showcasing the best of the Mornington Peninsula’s food and drink. Highlights include morning yoga, classic French-style mussels BBQ cooked-under-pine-needles feast by Waterholes Creek, and a progressive oyster-and-sparkling experience that winds through Ashcombe’s mazes.
Other offerings include a sunset Sunday Mid Summer Sounds, a retro-inspired garden party, family food truck nights Sip, Paint & Summer Nights in the serenity of the maze gardens, and a vibrant end of summer fiesta filled with food, spritzers, local beers and live music under the poplars.
All events are fully ticketed and spaces are limited. Tickets are available now
Sunday Mid-Summer Sounds
Description: Relax on the sprawling lawns of Ashcombe Maze with local cool-climate wines from Kerry Greens, gin cocktails from herbit G!N, and Romana- and Napolitana-style pizzas fresh from the La Brace wood-fired oven. Enjoy summer tunes under the dappled shade of rambling woodland.
Music: DJ Jai (28 December), Crate Diggers (25 January)
Time: 12pm–5pm
Dates: Sunday 28 December 2025; Sunday 25 January 2026
Price: $22 Adult / $14 Child – Includes admission to the maze
Bookings: Essential
Family Sunset Sessions
Description: Wind down at the end of the day as the sun sets over Ashcombe Maze and its 10 hectares of gardens and woodlands. Spread out on the lawns, play pétanque or boules, enjoy food from popular food trucks and drinks from favourite brewers, winemakers and distillers, accompanied by smooth tunes.
Music: DJ Blind Benny
Dates: Friday 2 January; Thursday 8 January; Friday 9 January; Thursday 15 January; Friday 16 January
Price: $10
Bookings: Not required
Éclade de Moules – French Mussel BBQ
Description: Join Flinders mussel farmer Harry Mussels and food writer Richard Cornish for a traditional west coast French mussel cook-up. Learn how to prepare éclade de moules, enjoy Crittenden wine, and feast on a dozen hot, smoky mussels with crusty baguette and French-style cultured butter, followed by time to explore the maze and gardens.
Date: Saturday 17 January
Time: 5.30–7.30pm
Price: $55
Bookings: Essential
The True Story of Oysters and Champagne
Description: Award-winning food writer Richard Cornish presents a spoken-word evening exploring the lost history of Westernport’s once-great oyster reefs. Guests enjoy half a dozen oysters sourced from around Australia, paired with two glasses of local sparkling wine, in the gardens of Ashcombe Maze.
Date: Saturday 3 January
Time: 5.30–7pm
Price: $55
Bookings: Essential
Morning Yoga with Lou Kenny
Description: Begin the day with a gentle morning yoga session on the lawn at Ashcombe Maze. Led by supportive instructor Lou Kenny, these classes focus on wellbeing, accessibility and learning key yoga pathways in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Dates: Friday 2 January; Saturday 3 January; Friday 9 January; Saturday 10 January
Time: 8.30am–9.30am
Price: $20
Bookings: Recommended
Sip and Paint: Coastal Botanicals with Cath De Boise
Description: Join local artist Cath De Boise for a guided still-life painting session inspired by coastal botanicals. Learn essential painting techniques while enjoying a glass of Kerry Greens wine, then take home your completed canvas. All materials included.
Venue: Indoors at Ashcombe Maze
Dates: Thursday 8 January; Thursday 15 January
Time: 3–5pm
Price: $65
Bookings: Essential