Exploring Peninsula View’s community hub

Where you live can shape how well you live – a truth that becomes only more apparent with age.

A 2025 study by Monash University found that retirement village residents who’d lived in a community for a year or more were about half as likely to experience loneliness as those who hadn’t yet made the move.

Retirement living can also delay the need for residential aged care, with village residents entering care an average of five years later than those coming from a family home.

It’s little wonder, then, that more and more Australians are choosing this lifestyle. Today, one in eight people over the age of 75 are opting in to retirement communities around the country – drawn by easy friendships, a genuine sense of belonging, and beautiful amenities within easy reach.

BaptistCare’s Peninsula View is a fine example of this way of living.

Sitting proudly at the gateway of the Mornington Peninsula – within an hour of Melbourne, the village will soon be home to 57 new two and three bedroom villas, adding to the existing community of stylish apartments. With a swimming pool, gym, onsite café, and beautifully landscaped gardens all part of daily life here, it’s easy to see why this community is flourishing.

The heart of the village

Having amenities so close by makes it easy to stay active, without it ever feeling like a chore.

At Peninsula View, the resistance pool is a favourite among residents, its endless jet stream offering a great low-impact workout, while the gym has become part of many residents’ daily rhythm.

Current resident Sean* says having it all on the doorstep makes a real difference: “My wife and I use the gym every day, and it’s wonderful to have it all just steps away. I’m not sure we’d go as regularly if it wasn’t so close.”

When he’s not at the gym, Sean loves catching up with fellow residents over a game of cards or pool in the community hub. “Initially nobody knew one another, but it’s been easy to get to know people. You don’t live in each other’s pockets, but at the same time, it’s a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The community hub is the heart of the village, and going along to activities there makes you feel part of things quickly.”

Sean’s wife, Alice*, prefers the group exercise classes, attending chair yoga twice a week – often a great chance to catch up with neighbours too.

The community hub is really the social heart of Peninsula View, home to a cinema, event spaces, and of course – the ever-popular Terrace Café. It’s where residents go for coffee or lunch, catching up with neighbours over freshly cooked food prepared on site by Peninsula View’s dedicated chef. There’s even a complimentary morning tea every weekday – the perfect excuse for a sweet treat and a chat.

The barbecue areas are another favourite gathering spot, especially for the weekly happy hour. “Everyone brings their own drinks and some nibbles – it’s a lovely atmosphere,” says Alice. “The community recently came together to purchase a pizza oven with funds raised by social activities, which has been a fantastic addition, and now we all look forward to freshly made pizzas together on a Wednesday.”

A resident-led community

However beautiful the amenities, it’s the people who really give Peninsula View its character. The resident council arranges an ongoing calendar of activities based on what the community enjoys most, whether that’s bingo or trivia night, a regular game of bowls, or a Christmas in July celebration. There’s always something to be part of.

Village manager, Dean, says it’s these everyday moments of connection that make the biggest difference to residents’ wellbeing. “It’s wonderful to see how close the residents have become, and how naturally the friendships have formed,” he says.

“Everyone here is so supportive, and that sense of care creates a real safe space for the whole community, with neighbours regularly checking in and looking out for one another – it’s one of the things that makes retirement living so beneficial.”

Your next chapter

Peninsula View brings together thoughtfully designed amenities with a community that feels like home – a place where neighbours look out for one another, and where friendships come naturally.

Ready to see it for yourself? Visit the Peninsula View website to register your interest and stay up to date on progress.