A Piece of Queenscliff
Reminders of Queenscliff's elegant past - from imposing Victorian-era hotels, a huge military fortress guarding the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, old churches and quaint fishermen's cottages - delight visitors. But there's more to Queenscliff than 19th century history. This charming seaside village boasts art galleries, shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, farmers markets, good accommodation, safe beaches and a glorious tree-lined foreshore.
Queenscliff started as a fishing village before becoming a fashionable holiday destination for Melbourne's elite in the late nineteenth century. Holiday makers made the two-hour journey aboard paddle steamers and when the railway was built, by train via Geelong and Drysdale.
There are two interesting landmark lighthouses in Queenscliff which guide ships safely through the Heads. The Black Lighthouse is located within the Fort grounds, while the White Lighthouse can be viewed from the Ocean View Lookout at the southern end of Hesse Street.
Visitors come to enjoy the beach, have picnics under the giant foreshore pines, meander through the village or play a game of golf. Modern ferries deliver a regular stream of visitors from Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula – a 40 minute journey. The ferry transports holiday makers, cars, caravans and buses.
Queenscliff is regarded as one of the loveliest villages on the Bellarine Peninsula and its architecture, particularly the historic buildings like The Vue Grand and Queenscliff Hotel, are star attractions.
Delicious food and wine experiences also help to draw crowds. There is fine dining at the award winning Athelstane House – Queenscliff's oldest operating guesthouse -and at Queenscliff Hotel's five-star restaurant. Casual dining can be enjoyed at a number of cafes or try the fish and chips from one of Queenscliff's award-winning fish and chipperies.
Queenscliff also has great shopping and art galleries, including Seaview Gallery and Salt Contemporary Art which exhibits some of Australia's best known artists. Book lovers head to Barwon Booksellers, located in an old church, to buy and sell second hand treasures.
Regarded as the music lovers' capital of The Bellarine, Queenscliff celebrates its reputation on the last weekend of every November at the Queenscliff Music Festival when popular Australian and international artists play to large crowds.
When in Queenscliff take a ride on the Bellarine Peninsula Railway that runs from historic Queenscliff station to Drysdale on Sundays and public holidays or hop aboard The Blues Train to enjoy a live music journey. (www.thebluestrain.com.au)
Guided Walking Tours operate every Saturday from 2.00pm by booking at the Queenscliff Visitor Information Centre (1300 884 843). Other must - see attractions include the Maritime Museum (03 5258 3440) and the magnificently restored RNLI Watson Class lifeboat, the Marine Discover Centre (www.dpi.vic.gov.au/vro/mdc open school holidays 10am–4pm) and Fort Queenscliff (03 5258 1488) to view the Black Lighthouse, one of only three black lighthouses in the world.
Enjoy a pampering experience at the Queenscliff Day Spa (03 5258 4233 www.queenscliffdayspa.com.au) or play a round of golf at the Queenscliff Golf Club
(www.queenscliffgolfclub.com.au) where Crowded House filmed their video clip Weather with You.
Other popular activities include diving to discover coral, sponges and shipwrecks around the bay's entrance, chartering a boat or swimming with dolphins (See All Dolphin Swims www.dolphinswims.com.au). Fishing is another popular pastime.
Markets
Queenscliff Community Market
Where: Lower Princes Park, Queenscliff
When: Last Sunday of the month (September to May)
Ph: 0408 340 932
Events:
Queenscliff Blue Water Challenge – January
Queenscliff Seafood Festival – April
Queenscliff Music Festival – November
How to get there
Queenscliff is approximately 1.5 hours from Melbourne on the Princes and Bellarine Highways. A vehicle and passenger ferry operates between Queenscliff and Sorrento taking approximately 40 minutes.
For more information click onto visitvictoria.com