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 Port
Phillip Bay
Holidays - Places of
Interest
Mornington Peninsula
with it's long stretches of sheltered bay beaches and ocean surf is
Melbourne's oceanfront playground. The peninsula is bordered by three bodies of water
and not surprisingly, there is a strong emphasis on water
activities. There are several yacht harbours and surf beaches on the Bass Strait
side. The peninsula is a focal point for wineries, horse studs, orchards and
wildlife areas.
The town of Frankston
is the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula. This is a town of beaches, golf courses, public reserves and
gardens. Olivers Hill has gracious period homes and gardens and there are lookouts
across the bay and the city of
Melbourne.
Westernport Bay is,
as the name implies, on the western side of the peninsula which is known as
the "Coast of Coves".
A large fishing fleet anchors at Hastings which has an impressive marina.
The Coolart lagoon has bird watching hides and platforms.
Coolart homestead is a
popular attraction and there is a popular surf beach at Point Leo (wetsuits
required). There is a popular walk to
Bushrangers Bay on the promontory or play one of the scenic golf courses.
Take the chairlift to Arthur's Seat
for views of the entire
peninsula. Take the horse drawn tram (or walking tour) of the historic
residences and guest houses in Sorrento. Jump aboard one of the many motor cruises to see the seals and dolphins in
the bay. Pack a hamper and have a family day out at the picnic races.
Bellarine Peninsula is centered around
Queenscliff, which is the ferry station overlooking the The Rip through
which all shipping enters Port Phillip Bay. The town has original fisherman
cottages and restored hotels and guest houses from the Victorian period. See
the town in a horse drawn
coach and vintage steam train rides.
Ocean Grove is the commercial centre of the peninsula and adjoins pretty
Barwon
Heads and its renowned golf course.
Indented Head, St Leonards and Potarlington are all popular fishing towns on
the peninsula.
Avalon Airport near
Geelong hosts Australia's largest
airshow. Local festivals include the annual
National Celtic Folk Festival held in Geelong and the Wallington Strawberry Fair in March. Torquay is
a small town just off the southern side of the
Bellarine Peninsula and known as Australia's southern surfing capital. This
is the site of the
annual Bells Beach professional surfing competition. The area has a variety of beach types for
both families and
surfing.
Phillip Island
lies a little to the east of the Mornington Peninsula and
is not
geographically part of Port Phillip Bay. Known to most Australians for motor cycle racing,
the island has always been a popular spot with surfers, fishermen, bushwalkers, bird watchers
and rock climbers. A little known fact is that
Phillip Island
has some of the best surfing spots in Victoria.
Summerland Beach is the
site of the
Sunset Parade of the Little (Fairy) Penguins.
(Bookings essential during holidays). Visitors can get close to koalas at the Koala
Conservation Centre. Take a visit to the Nobbies and The Blowhole on the western
tip of the island.
Port Phillip Travel & Holidays
Phillip Island Holidays
Phillip Island Introduction
Melbourne Hotels |
Port Phillip Bay
Holidays