• Understand
• Get in
• Get around
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out

The Bellarine Peninsula forms the western side of the mouth of Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, Australia. It lies immediately to the east of the city of Geelong. It contains a number of seaside towns and is a popular destination for its beaches, boating, wineries, orchards and historic attractions.

[edit] Understand

The visitor information centers in Geelong serve the Peninsula also.

• Geelong and Great Ocean Rd Visitor Information Office, Stead Park, Princes Highway, Corio, 7km north of Geelong town center, toll free 1800 620 888, 5275 5797 (fax 5223 2069). Every day 9am-5pm. http://www.greatoceanrd.org.au/

• Geelong - National Wool Museum Visitor Information Centre, 26 Moorabool St (cnr Brougham St), Geelong, toll free 1800 620 888, 5222 2900 (fax 5223 2069). Every day 9am-5pm.

• Queenscliffe Visitor Information Centre, 55 Hesse St, Queenscliff, toll free 1300 884 843, 5258 4843 (fax 5258 3726). Every day 9am-5pm. http://www.queenscliffe.vic.gov.au/

To e or not to e. Should Queenscliff end with an e? Both spellings are used in different contexts. The town is Queenscliff but the borough is Queenscliffe.

[edit] Get in

McHarry’s Buslines run from Geelong to the Bellarine Peninsula towns of Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Pt Lonsdale and Queenscliff (30 km).

Car/passenger ferries cross the mouth of Port Phillip Bay between Queenscliff and Sorrento on Mornington Peninsula. They depart each terminal on the hour every hour 7am-6pm every day. From 26 Dec. until end of daylight saving there are also 7pm sailings. Foot passengers adult $8, 5-15 years $6, under 5 years $1, foot passenger’s bicycle $2, tandem $3; passengers with vehicle adult $4, 5-15 years $2, under 5 years $1; vehicle rates vary with season – car up to 5.5m between $38 and $45. http://www.searoad.com.au/

[edit] Get around

[edit] See

[edit] Queenscliff

• Fort Queenscliff, King St, was built in the 1880s as a defense against Russian invasion. The Black Lighthouse is in its grounds. There are guided tours at weekends and public holidays, adults $8??. The fort is still a military establishment so you are required to sign in and show identification.
• Queenscliff Maritime Museum, 1 Weeroona Parade.
• Bellarine Peninsula Railway. Steam trains run to Drysdale and return.
• A number of impressive 19th century buildings remain, particularly along Gellibrand St.

[edit] Barwon Heads

• Home of the ABC television 'Seachange' program with a children-friendly safe estuary beach and rugged ocean beaches such as 13th Beach for the more intrepid. Barwon Heads has long been a summer holiday destination for Victorian families.

[edit] Point Lonsdale

• The headland is right at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. The channel through the heads is known as the Rip for its strong tidal currents. There are short walks linking the Rip View Lookout, the pier and lighthouse.

[edit] Do

[edit] Buy

[edit] Eat

[edit] Drink

[edit] Sleep

• Portarlington Beach Motel a pleasant family owned accommodation that has recently been renovated. 14 luxury units well suited to families and couples on looking for that special holiday. Located at 153-155 Newcombe Street, Portarlington, VIC 3223 Phone (03) 5259 3801 or Fax (03) 5259 3993 [1]
• Hawthorn Suites, 1732 Barwon Heads Road, +03 5254 1777 (Fax: +03 5254 1666), [2].

[edit] Get out

Take the ferry to Sorrento or head to Geelong.

Alternatively drive or bus along the Great Ocean Road. You don’t need to drive through Geelong – from Barwon Heads take the Barwon Heads Rd which becomes Lower Duneed Rd then turn left onto the Surf Coast Highway.