Queenscliff (and Beacon) is only an hour and a half’s drive from Melbourne but all trips can get tiresome, especially if you’ve got kids on board, uttering the repetitive chant, “Are we there yet?”
Our advice is to break the trip up…make a day of it and take the time to truly experience a myriad of attractions before you even reach your final, holiday destination.
Once you’ve departed the city, your first destination needs to be the Werribee Open Range Zoo where you will be able to meet the animals of the African savannah on-board the safari bus. The best bit is that on weekends and Victorian school holidays, kids enter the zoo for free!
After your African adventure, your next stop is the Geelong waterfront which is always a hive of activity. For the adrenaline junkies, there is helicopter and seaplace flights whilst the iconic carousel, containing original restored horses dating back to 1892, provides fun for kids (and big kids!) of all ages. The giant skywheel provides panoramic views of Corio Bay and the city of Geelong. Take a wander along the waterfront, keeping an eye out for the renowned Geelong bollards. Painted by Jan Mitchell, there are over 100 bollards painted to represent the rich history of Geelong and its significant people. Don’t forget to take advantage of the bountiful photo opportunities!
As you journey from Geelong towards the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula, there is a smorgasbord of stunning wineries at which you can kick back, enjoy panoramic views, and delicious wine and food options. There are so many to choose from but some of our favourites are Flying Brick Cider House (a great one to visit with the kids where they can run around); Oakdene Vineyards (one for the art lovers) and Jack Rabbit Vineyard (perhaps the best views on the peninsula).
After you’ve refuelled, Queenscliff is your next destination. If you’ve still got some of your day left, you might want to begin exploring the local area but we’d suggest getting a good night’s sleep in and starting tomorrow…there’s just too much to do to fit into one afternoon!
If travelling down the highway isn’t your thing, jump onboard Searoad Ferries. Departing Sorrento every hour, on the hour (between 7am and 6pm), Searoad provides a scenic, stress-free passage across the bay. The trip takes 40 minutes and all you have to do is a sip on a coffee and keep an eye out for dolphins and seals (there’s even a playground on-board for the kids!).
Explore our parks
