The Wanderer
Geelong
Quaint towns, wineries, parks, wildflowers and a good dose of history are in store on a road trip to Geelong and the Bellarine.
Bellarine Travel Road Trip: From Melbourne to the Coast
From Melbourne, it's about a 229-kilometre round trip to the Bellarine via Geelong.
Along the way, you can stretch your legs on the trails of the You Yangs Regional Park, stop off at the Brisbane Ranges National Park for a picnic lunch amid the wildflowers and visit the vintage market precinct in North Geelong.
Head to Queenscliff through wine country, stopping to admire the town's Victorian-era buildings; learn about 19th-century military history at the historic Fort Queenscliff or stories of the early mariners and fishermen at the Maritime Museum; and end by perusing the boutiques and country cafes at Barwon Heads. There's so much to see and do, but here are a few of the new experiences to be had in this pretty region of Victoria.
Bellarine Wineries and Local Produce at Meredith Farm Store
Few things make you feel like you're in the heart of regional Australia like produce straight from the farm gate. Already famed for its goat cheese, Meredith Dairy (on the Midland Highway between Ballarat and Geelong) has now opened its first farm store and café.
Visitors can enjoy dishes featuring Meredith goat meat – lauded by top Australian chefs – which you'll find on menus at Florentino, MoVida, Otto, Pilu at Freshwater, Farmer's Daughters and Morena.
Geelong
Geelong and Bellarine History: Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
See the 100-year-old Lifeboat Queenscliffe, used in the search for Prime Minister Harold Holt; antique diving equipment and shipwreck artefacts; and learn about adventurer Paul Caffyn's circumnavigation of Australia by kayak.
Then, when you're done with a good dose of local maritime history, you can have some fun in the new escape room at the museum based on the local legend of Pirate Benito – who buried his treasure in Swan Bay, Queenscliff. Players work together to locate the treasure chest and escape.
Portarlington Mussel Tours: Bellarine Coastal Food Experience
Does a cruise on a restored Huon pine boat, savouring mussels, oysters, scallops and abalone with a glass of ocean-aged vintage cuvée, sound like your kind of fun day out?
Jump onboard Portarlington Mussel Tours' new Deluxe Seafood Tour and you can do just that. Guests cruise on Port Phillip Bay and the tour concludes with cooking demonstrations and local produce tastings.
Regional Victoria Holiday Spots: Eat and Sip in Portarlington
Pop's Wine Bar
Pop's Wine Bar is the new kid on the block in Portarlington, offering a rotating list of Bellarine and Victorian wines and cocktails. A relaxed spot for drinks and small bites, named after co-owner Mark Carey's grandfather, who was the headmaster of the State School in Portarlington in the 1960s.
Port Lonsdale
Ket Baker
If you stop at one bakery, make it Ket Baker. Here you'll find 100 per cent sourdough pastries, bread and croissants with house-made fillings. Known for slow-fermented loaves (up to 72 hours) and pastries that take five days to make, Ket Baker's commitment to craft has earned her a cult-like following.
Woolstore Restaurant: Dining in Historic Geelong
Set in a century-old wool store, the space is a masterclass in sympathetic restorations.
The venue has seven-metre-high industrial glass windows and the original tallowwood flooring, including old lanolin markings. Head Chef Eli Grubb (Regional Chef of the Year 2024 Golden Plate Awards) has a menu centred around modern Australian share plates.
Queenscliffe Literary Festival: Culture Meets the Coast
The Queenscliffe Literary Festival is held in the last two weekends of October and is a celebration of Australian writers, books and ideas featuring some of the country's finest authors and thinkers.
Pops Wine Bar
Coastal Caravan Parks Victoria: Stay at Barwon Heads
A waterfront location makes this caravan park a top pick for those visiting the coastal region of Barwon Heads. There are grassy powered and unpowered campsites, cosy beach houses, family cabins and a historic boat house.
Plan Your Bellarine Travel Adventure
For more information on accommodation and caravan stops, check out the CMCA Traveller App and to plan your visit, go to visitgeelongbellarine.com.au.
Port Arlington mussels
Category: Destinations
Written: Fri 01 Aug 2025
Printed: August, 2025
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