Next trip:
Sunday 30 November 2025
(Local Market Day)
Choose the places you want to visit and spend as much time there as you wish. The shuttle will pick up and drop off at no extra cost.
Entry fees to attractions (if any) are not included.
QUEENSCLIFF
Nestled on the Bellarine Peninsula near Point Lonsdale and the gateway to Port Phillip Bay, Queenscliff is a beloved seaside escape that draws visitors from across the globe. With its endless array of attractions—from coastal walks and galleries to markets and maritime adventures—Queenscliff offers something for every kind of holidaymaker.
First gazetted on 12 May 1862, the town retains a distinct 19th-century charm, reflected in its grand hotels, stately public buildings, and quaint fishermen’s cottages. While today it thrives as a vibrant holiday destination, Queenscliff once played a pivotal military role. By the 1880s, it had become the most heavily fortified site in the Southern Hemisphere, guarding the bay’s entrance with imposing defences.
At the heart of town stands the Vue Grand Hotel, built in 1881—a striking landmark on Hesse Street, where heritage shopfronts and century-old architecture create a streetscape steeped in history.
To the east of Wharf Street lies Queenscliff Harbour, a vibrant waterfront precinct dotted with working wharves and home to a small fleet of fishing vessels. Alongside its maritime activity, the harbour features a lively retail strip, where cafés and restaurants serve up local fare with sweeping views across the water.
Rising above it all is a striking 30-metre navigation tower, a modern beacon guiding vessels into Port Phillip Bay. At its summit, an observation deck offers visitors breathtaking, uninterrupted panoramas of Queenscliff, the surrounding coastline, and the vast expanse of the bay.
The Bellarine Railway, once known as the Bellarine Peninsula Railway, is a heritage steam railway run entirely by volunteers. It travels along a scenic 16-kilometre stretch of restored track between the coastal township of Queenscliff and Drysdale, near Geelong—reviving a disused branch line with charm, history, and the hiss of steam.
🛍️ Queenscliff Market: Coastal Charm Meets Creative Flair.
Held on the last Sunday of each month, the Queenscliff Market transforms this historic seaside town into a lively hub of local talent and community spirit. Set in picturesque Lower Princess Park, just a short stroll from the beach and heritage buildings, the market features over 100 stalls brimming with handmade goods, gourmet produce, and vintage finds.
• Artisans and makers showcase jewellery, homewares, clothing, and art.
• Local growers and producers offer fresh veggies, preserves, and baked treats.
• Live music and food vans create a relaxed, festival-like vibe.
🌊 Queenscliff South Pier.
Stretching gracefully into the waters of Port Phillip Bay, Queenscliff South Pier is a beloved spot for strolling, fishing, and soaking up coastal views. With its heritage-listed shelter shed and panoramic outlook across the bay, the pier offers a peaceful vantage point to watch ferries glide past, seabirds wheel overhead, and the tides shift with the rhythm of the sea.
• Great for photography, with views of Swan Island, the Rip, and passing ships.
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse—also known as the Point Lonsdale Signal Station—marks the eastern tip of the Bellarine Peninsula. Perched on a rugged headland, it overlooks The Rip, a notorious stretch of water where Bass Strait meets Port Phillip Bay. Widely regarded as one of the world’s most treacherous navigable passages, The Rip forms the sole seaborne gateway to Melbourne, making the lighthouse a vital guardian of maritime safety for over a century.
PORTARLINGTON
Perched on the northern edge of the Bellarine Peninsula, just 29 kilometres from Geelong, Portarlington is a charming coastal town with a rich cultural tapestry. Behind the township, gently undulating hills cradle vineyards and olive groves, creating a scenic backdrop that offers sweeping, panoramic views across Port Phillip Bay. The Pier offers amazing photo opportunities. ( Local Market Day)
Links to places of interest: Bellarine Historic Railway , Queenscliff Maritime Museum , Fort Queenscliff ,
Convenient Pickup Locations
8:30am 1st Pickup -ST KILDA-bus stop at the back of McDonald's Saint Kilda on Ackland St (carpark side)8:
8:45am 2nd Pickup -PORT MELB - Bay Street cnr Liardet Street, Bus stop in front of Coles supermarket
9:05am 3rd Pickup - FEDERATION SQUARE - Cnr Flinders & Russell Streets Bus pickup zone
9:15am 4th Pickup- bus stop at 361 QUEEN St cnr A'Beckett St (Queen Victoria Market end)
9:30am 5th Pickup -FOOTSCRAY STATION South entrance Cnr Hyde & Bunbury Streets.
9:55am 6th Pickup -HOPPERS CROSSING STATION - Bus Interchange, Woolworth's side.
Shuttle bus leaves Queenscliff back to Melbourne at 3:30pm (Approx.) with a stop at the Lighthouse.
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