Queenscliff

Queenscliff (also known as Queenscliffe) is an historic maritime community perched on a small spit of land in the south-eastern most corner of the Bellarine Peninsula. Located in the Greater Geelong region of Victoria, the town was settled only a few years after Melbourne, and is characterised by its strong European heritage, maritime and seafaring character and its lasting connection to the sea. The town is dotted with museums, grand hotels and also a fine variety of restaurants and eateries. It is most known as the port of call of the Searoad Ferry, which connects the region to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.

This guide also covers the adjacent tourist resort of Point Lonsdale, a popular destination for family getaways with its splendid beach.

As of 2022, the Borough of Queenscliff is the last remaining borough in Australia. Most of the area surrounding Queenscliff has been engulfed into the larger city of Geelong.

Understand

• 1 Queenscliffe Visitor Information Centre, 55 Hesse St, ☏ +61 3 5258 4843, toll-free: 1300 884 843, info.centre@queenscliffe.vic.gov.au. 9AM-5PM daily except Christmas Day. 

To e or not to e Should Queenscliff end with an e? Both spellings are used in different contexts. The town is Queenscliff but the borough is Queenscliffe

Get in and around

By bus

The route 56 bus runs between Geelong Railway Station and Queenscliff (Wharf St) via Ocean Grove.

By ferry

Car/passenger ferries cross the mouth of Port Phillip Bay between Queenscliff and Sorrento on Mornington Peninsula. They depart each terminal on the hour every hour 7AM-6PM every day. From Dec 26. until end of daylight saving there are also 7PM sailings. Foot passengers adult $10, 5-15 years $8, under 5 years $1, foot passenger’s bicycle $2, tandem $3; passengers with vehicle adult $7.50, 5-15 years $5.50, under 5 years $1; vehicle rates vary with season – car up to 5.5m between $48 and $54.

By bike

The Bellarine Rail Trail runs from South Geelong Station to Queenscliff. Rental bikes are available from Geelong.

See

• Fort Queenscliff, ☏ +61 3 5258 1488, museum@fortqueenscliff.com.au. was built in the 1880s as a defense against Russian invasion. The Black Lighthouse is in its grounds. There are guided tours at weekends and public holidays, strictly at 11am and 1:45pm only. Because the fort is an active Defence Department site, visitors need to show their passports to enter (photo ID is sufficient for Australians). Tours also possible weather permitting weekdays at 11am. Note there are no toilets onsite. $20 adults, $8 children. (updated Oct 2023)
• Queenscliff Maritime Museum, 1 Weeroona Parade.
• Bellarine Peninsula Railway. Steam trains run to Drysdale and return.
• A number of impressive 19th-century buildings remain, particularly along Gellibrand St.

Point Lonsdale

• The headland is right at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. The channel through the heads is known as the Rip for its strong tidal currents. There are short walks linking the Rip View Lookout, the pier and lighthouse.

Eat

• 1 The Original Queenscliff Fish and Chips, 77 Hesse St (B110), ☏ +61 3 5295 7950. 11AM-8PM (closed Tuesdays). (updated Jul 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Vue Grand, 46 Hesse St (B110), ☏ +61 3 5258 1544. A hotel with grand, heritage architecture and rooms. $240-$270. 

Go next

Take the ferry to Sorrento or head to Geelong.

Alternatively drive or bus along the Great Ocean Road. You don’t need to drive through Geelong – from Barwon Heads take the Barwon Heads Rd which becomes Lower Duneed Rd then turn left onto the Surf Coast Highway.