Queenscliff looks out across the famous and treacherous Rip in Port Phillip Bay heads. This town is a living museum of Victorian era architecture and history crammed with charming galleries and shops and was originally established as a settlement for sea pilots in the early 1800's who's job it was to steer ships through the treacherous Rip.

Unfortunately they were not always successful as the coast is one huge graveyard with many of a shipwreck from those that did not make it.

Many of the grand old buildings have been restored to their former glory, such as the famous Queenscliff Hotel, Ozone Hotel and the Vue Grand with its ornate and opulent interiors.

Regular passenger and vehicular ferry services operate across the bay to bring you to the Mornington Peninsula – Portsea & Sorrento and vice versa.


Distance

• 101 kms from Melbourne via Princess Highway.

Highlights

• Queenscliff Seafood Feast in April.
• Around the Bay in a day in October.
• Queenscliff Music Festival in November.

Activities

• Explore the many shops for clothes, arts & crafts, old wares down around Queenscliff Arcade. Many of the grand buildings have been turned into shops, galleries and antique wonderlands.
• Discover Queenscliff's maritime history with the sea at the Maritime Museum. Be captivated by the displays of sea rescues and ship wrecks from the treacherous 'The Rip'.
• Tour Australia's largest and best preserved military fortress down on Shortlands Bluff which was built in the 1880's to protect this great state.
• Swim, frolick and bask in the warm sunshine down on the sandy safe beaches.
• Lunch or dine down at one of the many Classic nineteenth-century hotels such as the Vue Grande, Ozone and Queenscliff.
• Take a magical swim with beautiful Dolphins and playful Seals.