Project Overview
Grendesign partnered with Sorrento Beachside Tourism to design a cohesive suite of visitor-facing print materials for the Mornington Peninsula region in Victoria, Australia.
The project included:
- A History & Heritage Guide brochure
- An Activities & Visitor Directory brochure
- A Custom Illustrated Tourism Map
Together, these materials form a complete visitor toolkit – blending storytelling, structured information and visual navigation into one unified tourism brand system.
Custom Illustrated Tourism Map Design
A key deliverable of this project was the creation of a fully branded visitor map of the Mornington Peninsula, designed to be both functional and visually engaging.
Unlike standard geographic maps, this piece was created specifically for tourism engagement.
Map Design Objectives
- Provide intuitive wayfinding across Sorrento and surrounding Mornington Peninsula locations
- Highlight key towns including Portsea, Rye, Dromana, Mornington and beyond
- Visually communicate coastal identity and leisure activities
- Reinforce Sorrento Visitor Information branding
- Encourage exploration beyond the immediate township
Design Approach
The map balances clarity with personality.
Key Design Features
- Clean coastal colour palette reflecting Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait
- Simplified cartographic structure for easy readability
- Custom illustrated activity icons – sailing, surfing, walking, wildlife
- Clear town markers and key regional hubs
- Strong brand integration with the Sorrento Visitor Information identity
- Grid-based layout ensuring navigational accuracy
The map was designed for practical use at the Visitor Information Centre while also serving as a keepsake for travellers.
Strategic Value of the Map
Tourism maps are often the highest-interaction print asset inside visitor centres.
This custom design:
- Encourages regional movement across the Peninsula
- Increases visibility for multiple townships
- Supports local tourism operators
- Creates a cohesive brand experience across brochures and physical signage
- Enhances visitor confidence in navigating unfamiliar destinations
By simplifying geography without losing integrity, the map makes the Mornington Peninsula feel accessible and inviting.
Brochure Suite Summary
1. History & Heritage Guide
An editorial-style brochure exploring:
- Point Nepean National Park
- Bunurong / Boon Wurrung cultural history
- Early European settlement
- Sorrento’s heritage buildings
- Local geology and storytelling
Designed with heritage-inspired tones, structured typography and integrated historic imagery.
2. Activities & Visitor Directory
A high-density, structured brochure including:
- Categorised listings of local businesses
- Accommodation, dining, retail and support services
- Clear table hierarchy for readability
- Consistent colour banding
- QR code integration for digital engagement
Designed for clarity, legibility and large-scale print distribution.
What We Delivered
- Tourism brochure design (editorial + directory formats)
- Custom illustrated Mornington Peninsula visitor map
- Integrated tourism brand system
- Print-ready artwork for high-volume distribution
- Visual identity consistency across multiple collateral pieces
Outcomes
The brochure and map suite now supports:
- Improved visitor orientation and wayfinding
- Increased awareness of Sorrento and surrounding towns
- Stronger brand presence for the Visitor Information Centre
- A cohesive, professional tourism experience
- Greater engagement with local businesses across the Peninsula
By combining storytelling, structured information design and illustrated cartography, Grendesign delivered a complete tourism communication system – not just standalone brochures.
Frequently Asked Questions – Tourism Brochure & Map Design
Why invest in a custom tourism map instead of using Google Maps?
A custom tourism map highlights curated experiences, local icons and strategic destinations in a way that generic digital maps cannot. It tells a visual story while guiding movement.
What makes a tourism map effective?
Clear hierarchy, simplified geography, recognisable landmarks, branded consistency and intuitive iconography are essential for effective visitor map design.
How does printed tourism collateral support regional economies?
Printed materials increase visibility for local businesses, encourage longer stays and improve visitor confidence in exploring beyond a single township.
Are brochures still effective in modern tourism marketing?
Yes. Visitor centres rely heavily on tangible materials. When combined with QR codes and digital touchpoints, print brochures remain a high-ROI asset.
Who should invest in professional tourism brochure design in Victoria?
Visitor information centres, regional tourism boards, councils and destination marketing organisations across Victoria and Australia benefit from professionally designed tourism collateral.
