Built on one of Mornington Peninsula's three granite protrusions, Mt. Martha was named after the Martha Lonsdale of one of the early pioneers, Captain (William) Lonsdale. The first settlers allegedly arrived circa 1803, numbering among them, convicts and marines.

The general perception of Mt. Martha is that it is a carefree, town by the beach. While Mt. Martha has its share of sun, sand, and cerulean sea, it has much else to offer – scenic views, slices of history, and opportunities to experience The Peninsula's rich natural heritage. The Mt. Martha House began life as the Mount Martha Hotel. Constructed in 1889, it served as a guest house, as well as a coffee palace. Today, the Mt. Martha House is a heritage building, providing the community with facilities for various functions.

Another estate that has been around since the 1800s is the The Briars. A.B. Balcombe (the very same credited with naming Schnapper Point) called his property after his childhood home on St. Helena. The Briars was originally a station called Checkinkiruk run by Captain James Reid from 1840-1846.
Visitors to The Briars Park can  view the Balcombe homestead, parts of which are the original structure that was prefabricated and transported from England. In front of the house, Mrs. Balcombe's thriving camellias overlook the tennis courts built for Sir Norman Brooke's use. A short A/V presentation on the history of the Balcombes is also available for viewing at the Visitor's Centre. Maps, of the homestead, as well as the nearby wetland walks, can also be obtained at the Visitors' Centre which houses some interesting natural history displays.
It now remains as the largest area in Mt. Martha which has not been subdivided.

Balcombe Creek  flows through The Briars' wetlands, emptying into the sea at Mt. Martha beach, in what is the Balcombe Estuary Reserve. The Estuary is home to numerous species of flora and fauna, including several that are rare or vulnerable. The walks within the Balcombe Estuary Reserve is connected to those within The Briars Park, providing visitors an extensive network to explore.

In  the mid 1900's Mt. Martha played an important role in hosting the United States Marine 1st Division. During that time certain areas were restricted meaning that even locals required permission to pass through checkpoints. In September 1943, they left to return to war, however some returned to Mt. Martha after the war.
To commemorate the award for the Congressional Medal of Honour to three 1st Division Marines plaque can be seen near the entrance to Citation Oval which can accessed from Helena Street, from the Nepean Highway.

The Mt. Martha Public Park is a little known gem in Mt. Martha. Spanning more than 50 hectares, the park is unique because of its granitic formations. It boasts an arboretum which was used to restore native plant-life. The boardwalks throughout the Mt. Martha Public Park offers visitors a chance to observe indigenous wildlife, vegetation, as well as enjoy vistas of the peak and nearby bay.

In the same belt along Forest Drive barely a few kilometres away  is the 18 hole Mt. Martha Public Golf Course. Popular with golfers of all levels, the front 9 is major drawcard offering stunning panoramic bay views.

Mt. Martha's shoreline is comprised of beaches including Dava, Birdrock, Craigie and Hawker where the foreshore reserve includes a lengthy coastal walk with lookout points points and bay views. It is also home to the aptly named Fossil Beach, where a variety fossil deposits (purported to be millions of years old) were discovered in the cliffs and seabeds.

The quaint Mt. Martha Shopping Village built in the late 1970s is situated nearby the Balcome Estuary Reserve where it meets the bay and Mt. Martha Beach South and is easily accessible by walkers and beachgoers alike.