Queenscliff is the ‘grande dame’ of the Bellarine Peninsula, a sublime city paying homage 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 ideal day journey with the household or there are many lodging choices to go well with all budgets.
Listed here are our prime ideas of what to do and locations to go in Queenscliff.
Issues To Do in Queenscliff
1. Bellarine Railway
Each Sunday and on different particular dates volunteers function Bellarine Railway. It’s a vacationer railway that runs between Queenscliff and Drysdale and supplies gorgeous views of Port Phillip Bay. Additionally they run particular occasions reminiscent of Day Out with Thomas and The Polar Specific that are extremely popular.
Bellarine Railway, 20 Symonds Avenue, Queenscliff (03) 5258 2069
2. Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre
The Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre is a small aquarium and marine schooling 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’ll be able to ‘pat’ a sea star or sea urchin and be taught all concerning the marine life round Port Phillip Bay.
The workers are very useful and filled with fascinating information about marine life and coastal surroundings conservation. They run faculty vacation programming too.
We’re 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 excellent sand-based playground with direct entry to Queenscliff Seashore. It has a marine theme and even a large squid on the perimeters.
It options a big wood construction with numerous ladders and slides, a lighthouse, numerous swings together with a chicken’s nest swing.
Princess Park, Tobin Drive, Queenscliff
4. Queenscliff Seashore
Queencliff Seashore 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 Avenue, Queenscliff, 3225
5. Level Lonsdale Lighthouse and rockpools
We didn’t have an opportunity to go to the Level Lonsdale lighthouse and rockpools however it’s a must-do on our subsequent go to. Lighthouse excursions are carried out 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 Level Lonsdale teem with sea creatures and marine life.
Level Lonsdale Lighthouse 9-13 Level Lonsdale Rd, Level Lonsdale (03) 5258 3440
6. Queenscliff Harbour Remark Tower
Queenscliff South Pier has just lately undergone vital preservation work. Adjoining to the pier is the Queenscliff Harbour that includes a boardwalk lined with eateries, outlets, and numerous points of interest.
Guests can take pleasure in panoramic views from a 42-metre commentary tower, discover journey actions, and entry a spread of providers, together with magnificence therapies and boating services.
Harbour Harbour, 1 Harbour Avenue, 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 supply unforgettable alternatives to swim with wild dolphins and seals, making it a really perfect journey for households and people alike.
The half-day cruises function day by day and cater to all ages and talents, making certain that everybody can benefit from the thrill of a marine expertise.
Sea All Dolphin Swims, Store 3, Constructing 6, Queenscliff Harbour, Queenscliff VIC, 03 5258 3889
The place to Eat in Queenscliff
8. Q Cafe & Bar, Queenscliff Harbour
Expertise 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 Avenue, 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 attempt the calamari salad with kipfler potato, chorizo, garlic, chilli spinach & mayonnaise. It boasts an abundance of tender flash-fried calamari however may do with much less mayo for my style.
The children have ham and cheese toasties after which share the crepes with butterscotch sauce, contemporary berries & vanilla ice cream ($15).
Piknik, 1195 Queenscliff Highway Swan Bay, +61352585155
10. Basils Farm, Swan Bay
One of the widespread 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 Winery
Jack Rabbit Winery is an award-winning restaurant and Bellarine Peninsula vineyard with superb views throughout Swan Bay to You Yangs and again to Melbourne.
In case you’re visiting with children you could not essentially need to go the fine-dining route on the Jack Rabbit Restaurant; although the ground to ceiling home windows are spectacular and it does supply a children menu. The choice is to move to the Home of Jack Rabbit which affords a extra informal lunch and dinner menu.
Jack Rabbit Winery, 85 McAdams Ln, Bellarine
12. Scandinavian Ice Cream Firm
The Scandinavian Ice Cream Firm is a family-owned enterprise that has been working in Queenscliff fundamental road (Hesse St) since 1984. Don’t be confused by the fish-and-chip-shop type decor on the surface, inside it’s positively wall-to-wall ice cream!
I like to recommend you go together with one of many award-winning flavours – the ‘connoisseur’ flavours are an additional 50c.
Scandinavian Ice Cream Firm, 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 Greatest 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 cause it’s so widespread!
Trident Fish Bar, 4 Gellibrand St Queenscliff 03 5258 2334
