ON THE WATER ON THE WATER ON THE WATER A Sensory Escape ON THE SEAS The experience does not end once you arrive in Queenscliff.
The ferry docks at the Queenscliff Harbour where you can wander the boardwalk and visit boutique stores and cafes.
Take a short walk to Hesse Street, the main street of historic Queenscliff.
Marvel at the impressive Victorian architecture, spend time exploring the boutique stores and cafes, and take a look inside some of the historically significant hotels.
If you are visiting on a Saturday you can take part in a guided Heritage Walk which takes in the Ballroom at the Vue Grand Hotel and many other historically significant buildings around town, and hear the stories of Queenscliff s civil and military past.
You can also pick up a Self Guided Heritage Tour booklet from the Visitor Information Centre which takes you on a 45 minute journey through Queenscliff s past and present.
The lovers of the arts will enjoy spending some time in Queenscliff s contemporary galleries featuring regular visiting exhibitions and artworks for sale.
You can also take in the Arts Trail, which is a series of boards dotted around Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale featuring artists and photographers of significance who have captured the local landscape.
The town is also famous for its museums, including the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum, Fort Queenscliff, Queenscliffe Historical Museum and the Bellarine Railway.
The Queenscliff Discover Pass provides discounts on Fort Queenscliff tours, entry to the Maritime Museum and the Bellarine Railway, as well as food offers for the Esplanade Hotel.
The pass can be purchased from the Visitor Information Centre.
Let s not forget about the award-winning Bellarine produce and wines There is so much choice when it comes to dining in Queenscliff.
Grab some fish and chips and watch the passing ships from Shortlands Bluff, indulge the tastebuds at one of the gourmet provedores, relax in a courtyard cafe, take in the views from a rooftop bar, enjoy a pub meal in historic surrounds or go first class at one of the award-winning fine dining venues.
It s not all about the food the local wines and craft beers are also set to impress.
Try a drop from one of the Bellarine s own wineries such as Jack Rabbit, Oakdene, Leura Park, Banks Road, Bellarine Estate, Marcus Hill, Ponda Estate, Bromley, Kiltynane, Curlewis, McGlashans or Scotchmans Hill.
Explore the local craft beers from Bellarine Brewing and Two Wives Brewing.
If you have brought your car on the ferry, make a holiday of it and travel around the Bellarine and beyond, taking in Geelong, the Surf Coast and the Great Ocean Road.
After your day, weekend or extended visit has concluded, reboard the ferry at Queenscliff and take in the sights again, as you reminisce about the amazing sensory experiences you have had the sights, smells, tastes and sounds of the Bellarine and the Bay, made possible by a short 40 minute ride aboard Searoad Ferries.
The views from the seaside village of Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula are nothing short of spectacular, taking in the sweeping waters of Port Phillip Bay and the lights rooftops and beaches of the towns and villages scattered along the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas.
Experiencing these views from land is one thing, but absorbing them from the water is something else altogether A visit to the eninsula is not complete without taking a ride on Searoad Ferries, which connects the Mornington Peninsula to the Bellarine and beyond.
Not only do you get to see the Bay from a completely different perspective, but there are plenty of onboard activities to make your crossing one to remember, and many unique visitor experiences to take in when you disembark at Queenscliff.
Searoad Ferries offers passenger and vehicular ferry services that depart Sorrento and Queesncliff every hour, on the hour, from 7.00am 6.00pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
From Boxing Day to New Years Eve, an additional 7pm service is also available.
The two ferries work in tandem, criss-crossing the southern side of Port Phillip and providing passengers with a stable, efficient, comfortable and relaxing way to cross the Bay.
The excitement begins when passengers catch the first glimpse of the ferry making its way to port.
What looks like a dot on the horizon soon becomes a 60m long, 950 tonne vessel, gliding seamlessly into its dock at the Sorrento terminal.
Once safely docked, the back of the ferry opens up as a fleet of vehicles disembarks everything from cars and motorbikes to trucks and caravans As the ferry empties, the next convoy of vehicles drives onboard and the foot passengers excitedly make their way to their favourtie seats and viewing positions.
When you first step onboard Searoad Ferries, the first thing you notice are the views The wide panoramic windows surround you, giving you a different perspective from every angle.
Spend your crossing inside in one of the comfortable lounges, outside on the observation decks with 365 degree views or get the complete Searoad experience by doing a little bit of both.
As the ferry glides out into the Bay, passengers will spend the next 40 minutes being delighted with views of the lighthouses, historic fortifications, cliff top mansions, large container ships travelling to and from the Melbourne ports, beacons and marine life such as dolphins, seabirds and occasionally whales.
Relax in one of the light-filled lounges, grab a drink and bite to eat at the caf or take in the scenery from the full length windows while the kids enjoy the play zone.
The lounges are heated in winter and air conditioned in summer for maximum comfort.
Find a quiet spot, relax and enjoy the serenity of the Bay from the water.
For those looking for a first class experience, book a High Tea of the High Seas crossing where you will be served High Tea in the privacy of the Portsea Lounge.
Indulge in an Afternoon Tea of exquisite cakes and desserts, finger sandwiches, espresso coffee, freshly brewed tea and or sparkling wine and watch the spectacular coastal scenery slide past.
High Tea tickets include an immediate return sailing where you can explore the rest of the ferry and take in the scenery on the outside decks or in one of the lounges.
50 mornington peninsula visitors guide summer 2015