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 South West Coast 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 connections the region to Portsea 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.
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
McHarry’s Buslines (dead link: March 2023) run from Geelong to the Bellarine Peninsula towns of Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Pt Lonsdale and Queenscliff (30 km).
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.
The Bellarine Rail Trail runs from South Geelong Station to Queenscliff. Rental bikes are available from Geelong.
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.