07 Jun 2023
The bays of The Bellarine offer incredible food & wine, nature based and retail experiences. It's the only place on Victoria's coast where you can almost touch Port Phillip Bay while sitting at a vineyard and admiring Melbourne from a distance.
In the village of Queenscliff, Searoad Ferries officially opened its new passenger terminal facility in April, a significant achievement after 15 years of planning. Melbourne architect Franco Fiorentini and his team at F2 Architecture designed the impressive building, which nestles into the coastline, drawing shapes from the surrounding environment and historic buildings.
The interior of the new facility is light and airy featuring dramatic three-metre-high ceilings and stunning feature lighting. It houses a concierge counter and retail gift store on the ground floor, along with a modern restaurant Tarra — headed up by Executive Chef Michael Demagistris — which is set to offer an exciting new dining experience when it opens later this year.
The quiet seaside village of Portarlington has also been recently invigorated with a multi-million dollar redevelopment of the 1888-built Portarlington Grand Hotel which marks a new era for the town. The Hotel, which is under the same ownership as Port Phillip Ferries, has easy access from Portarlington to Melbourne's Docklands and CBD with travel aboard the fast passenger ferry in a little over an hour.
While in Portarlington, visit the Pier Street Café. Opened by regular holiday maker and newcomer to the region, Peter Roddy in 2020, Pier Street lives up to its location and surroundings by serving up local fresh seafood, wine and produce wherever possible. The venue offers stunning views at the Pier with contemporary Australian fare. Family and dog-friendly, the cosy café has a chic coastal feel.
From Portarlington explore the region to enjoy award-winning wines, seafood and eateries.
At Jack Rabbit Vineyard, relax with unrivalled views across the bay to Geelong, the You Yangs and Melbourne. Enjoy a glass of award-winning wine, have a meal, or simply wander the picturesque grounds. Producing sophisticated cool-climate wines, premium ciders, Jack Rabbit is a must-visit.
Next door at Terindah Estate take some time to have a drink at the brand new 'Peter's Odyssey' Tram Bar. The unique bar – a decommissioned old W Class tram sits pride of place on the property, complete with tram tracks and spectacular views over Port Phillip Bay and the You Yangs. There's the Shed Restaurant, contemporary and surrounded by glass to make the most of the surroundings or wine tastings or snacks on the Deck at the cellar door.
Only a few minutes drive from Terindah is The Whiskery – a fabulous venue run by a local family producing whiskey and gin. The Whiskery is the cellar door/tasting room for Bellarine Distillery. Here everything is produced onsite at the former Cobb & Co Historic site. Sample whiskeys and gins, including the original Teddy and the Fox and let the staff take you on a tantalizing tasting journey.
A little further down the road is stunning Scotchmans Hill. A producer of premium cool maritime climate wines, Scotchmans Hill has been a leading local winery for 40 years and is rated among James Halliday's Top 100 Australian Wineries and is consistently rated five stars in Halliday's Wine Companion. Come for the award-winning wine and stay for the hearty and warm bistro fare.
Curlewis Golf Club is one of the hidden gems of the Bellarine and in 2022 opened new onsite accommodation with 60 rooms and a brand new Clubhouse. The property sits in a prime position overlooking Port Phillip Bay and the You Yangs, offering stunning sunset vistas. Privately owned by the Sharp family the golf course offers a relaxed, vibrant, fun vibe with recent refurbishments adding a modern touch.
Located in the newly redeveloped Curlewis Golf Club is Claribeaux Restaurant. Spectacular views spanning the fairways and greens of Curlewis Golf Club are just the beginning of the experience here. The new signature restaurant will delight with its creative structural form and culinary options, French influence, contemporary fusion, and a keen focus on sustainable local produce. There is an impressive local and international beverage list.
Still with water views but elevated inland is the Bellarine's fine diner – Merne Restaurant. Overlooking the established Lighthouse Olive Grove, emerging Oakdene vines and across the water to Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and Point Nepean, Merne offers contemporary shared style dining in a relaxed environment.
There's nothing more peaceful and relaxing than getting out in nature and feeling the wind on your face and breathing in the fresh sea air. Popular terrain in the area is the 35km Bellarine Rail Trail or the enticing path hugging the coastline between Portarlington and St Leonards. Bella E-bike Hire can assist in more ways than one with bikes for hire and power for assistance.
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