Bellarine Peninsula

Just a short drive from Geelong and an hour from Melbourne, the Bellarine Peninsula unfurls as a relaxed coastal escape of quiet beaches, working vineyards, and historic seaside villages. This is where Victorians come to slow down: swim in calm bays, taste exceptional cool-climate wines, and eat freshly shucked oysters while watching fishing boats bob in the harbour. The Bellarine Peninsula Rail Trail offers a scenic way to explore by bike or on foot, linking the region's characterful towns.

Highlights & What to See

• Queenscliff – A charming 19th-century port town with grand bluestone buildings, the historic Queenscliff Hotel, and a working fort. Catch the ferry across to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula for a day trip.
• Bellarine Wine Region – Over a dozen cellar doors dot the peninsula, including standout producers like Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Scotchmans Hill, and Basils Farm, all with sweeping bay views.
• Ocean Grove & Barwon Heads – Classic surf beaches with patrolled swimming areas, coastal walks, and the iconic Bluff at Barwon Heads. Excellent fish and chips can be found at local takeaways.
• Bellarine Railway – A heritage steam train running from Queenscliff to Drysdale, offering a nostalgic ride through farmland and coastal scrub.
• Portarlington – A relaxed harbour village with a pier perfect for fishing, a weekly farmers’ market, and the celebrated Portarlington Mussel Festival (held in January).

Suggested Time to Spend

A minimum of two days allows you to explore the peninsula’s highlights without rushing. Spend one day cycling the rail trail and visiting wineries, and another exploring Queenscliff and the ocean beaches. If you have three days, add a ferry crossing to the Mornington Peninsula or a detour to the historic town of Geelong. The area works beautifully as a relaxed weekend getaway from Melbourne or as a stop on a longer Great Ocean Road itinerary.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Geelong – Victoria’s second city, with a revitalised waterfront, the Geelong Gallery, and the National Wool Museum.
• Mornington Peninsula – Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Queenscliff, offering hot springs, more wineries, and the dramatic Cape Schanck lighthouse.
• Great Ocean Road – The iconic coastal drive starts at Torquay, about 30 minutes from the Bellarine, and leads to the Twelve Apostles and beyond.
• You Yangs Regional Park – A granite mountain range with walking trails and mountain-biking tracks, about 30 minutes inland.

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