Queenscliff is the ‘grande dame’ of the Bellarine Peninsula, a chic city harking back to a British seaside resort with large previous buildings, broad boulevards and neat little outlets and cafes.
It’s solely 90 minutes drive from Melbourne so it might probably make an important day journey with the household or there are many lodging choices to go well with all budgets.
Here are our high ideas of what to do and locations to go in Queenscliff.
Things To Do in Queenscliff
1. Bellarine Railway
Every Sunday and on different particular dates volunteers function Bellarine Railway. It’s a vacationer railway that runs between Queenscliff and Drysdale and offers gorgeous views of Port Phillip Bay. They additionally run particular occasions equivalent to Day Out with Thomas and The Polar Express that are very fashionable.
Bellarine Railway, 20 Symonds Street, Queenscliff (03) 5258 2069
2. Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre
The Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre is a small aquarium and marine training centre simply exterior Queenscliff, on the highway again to Melbourne. It’s a part of a nationwide community of Marine Discovery Centres.
The spotlight is the contact tank the place you possibly can ‘pat’ a sea star or sea urchin and study all concerning the marine life round Port Phillip Bay.
The employees are very useful and filled with fascinating information about marine life and coastal surroundings conservation. They run faculty vacation programming too.
We are there when they’re feeding seahorses – do you know seahorses are the one species on the planet the place the male is the one which will get pregnant?
Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre, 2A Bellarine Hwy, Queenscliff
3. Princess Park
An important sand-based playground with direct entry to Queenscliff Beach. It has a marine theme and even an enormous squid on the perimeters.
It options a big picket construction with numerous ladders and slides, a lighthouse, numerous swings together with a hen’s nest swing.
Princess Park, Tobin Drive, Queenscliff
4. Queenscliff Beach
Queencliff Beach is secure, calm and bounded by two lengthy jetties.
The sand is super-soft however on our go to it’s marred by swathes of seaweed. The kids aren’t bothered although and spend just a few hours constructing sand cities.
Hesse Street, Queenscliff, 3225
5. Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and rockpools
We didn’t have an opportunity to go to the Point Lonsdale lighthouse and rockpools nevertheless it’s a must-do on our subsequent go to. Lighthouse excursions are performed by volunteers from the native Maritime Museum and also you get spectacular views from the highest of the lighthouse.
At low tide the seawater within the rock swimming pools at Point Lonsdale teem with sea creatures and marine life.
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse 9-13 Point Lonsdale Rd, Point Lonsdale (03) 5258 3440
6. Queenscliff Harbour Observation Tower
Queenscliff South Pier has not too long ago undergone vital preservation work. Adjacent to the pier is the Queenscliff Harbour that includes a boardwalk lined with eateries, outlets, and numerous sights.
Visitors can get pleasure from panoramic views from a 42-metre statement tower, discover journey actions, and entry a spread of providers, together with magnificence therapies and boating amenities.
Harbour Harbour, 1 Harbour Street, Queenscliff
7. Sea All Dolphin Swims
For an moral and respectful interplay with marine wildlife, expertise the magic of the ocean with Sea All Dolphin Swims. These award-winning excursions provide unforgettable alternatives to swim with wild dolphins and seals, making it an excellent journey for households and people alike.
The half-day cruises function each day and cater to all ages and skills, making certain that everybody can benefit from the thrill of a marine expertise.
Sea All Dolphin Swims, Shop 3, Building 6, Queenscliff Harbour, Queenscliff VIC, 03 5258 3889
Where to Eat in Queenscliff
8. Q Cafe & Bar, Queenscliff Harbour
Experience informal eating at Q Café and Bar, the place scrumptious Italian dishes like woodfired pizzas and gnocchi await by the water.
Harbour Village, 1 Harbour Street, Queenscliff
9. Piknik
In a former Golden Fleece roadhouse you’ll discover the cafe and provedore Piknik. The menu focuses on native, seasonal produce and sells their very own vary of jams and preserves in addition to produce from surrounding suppliers.
From the all-day menu we strive the calamari salad with kipfler potato, chorizo, garlic, chilli spinach & mayonnaise. It boasts an abundance of tender flash-fried calamari however might do with much less mayo for my style.
The children have ham and cheese toasties after which share the crepes with butterscotch sauce, recent berries & vanilla ice cream ($15).
Piknik, 1195 Queenscliff Road Swan Bay, +61352585155
10. Basils Farm, Swan Bay
One of the preferred wineries with family-friendly surrounds is Basils Farm. Set excessive up on the hilltop with views out to Swan Bay, this vineyard with adjoining cellar door and cafe is a soothing place to hang around with a picnic. Full overview.
Basils Farm, 43-53 Nye Rd, Swan Bay (03) 5258 4280
11. Jack Rabbit Vineyard
Jack Rabbit Vineyard is an award-winning restaurant and Bellarine Peninsula vineyard with wonderful views throughout Swan Bay to You Yangs and again to Melbourne.
If you’re visiting with children you could not essentially wish to go the fine-dining route on the Jack Rabbit Restaurant; although the ground to ceiling home windows are spectacular and it does provide a children menu. The different is to go to the House of Jack Rabbit which affords a extra informal lunch and dinner menu.
Jack Rabbit Vineyard, 85 McAdams Ln, Bellarine
12. Scandinavian Ice Cream Company
The Scandinavian Ice Cream Company is a family-owned enterprise that has been working in Queenscliff principal road (Hesse St) since 1984. Don’t be confused by the fish-and-chip-shop model decor on the surface, inside it’s undoubtedly wall-to-wall ice cream!
I like to recommend you go along with one of many award-winning flavours – the ‘gourmand’ flavours are an additional 50c.
Scandinavian Ice Cream Company, 80 Hesse St, Queenscliff
13. Trident Fish Bar
A visit to the seaside wouldn’t be full with out some fish and chips! Trident Fish Bar was awarded Victoria’s Best Fish & Chips within the 2017 Seafood Victoria awards.
The first rate feed comes wrapped in brown paper and is fairly priced too. There’s a motive it’s so common!
Trident Fish Bar, 4 Gellibrand St Queenscliff 03 5258 2334
