|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
This small area includes most of the towns and villages that are Melbourne's beach and ocean playground. The eastern side of Port Phillip Bay is formed by the Mornington Peninsula, just an hour's drive south from Melbourne. This peninsula is the place where the first settlement in Victoria was located. Take a short ferry ride to Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula which forms the western side of the bay. This is a quaint town for leisurely browsing the arts and crafts, speciality shops and historic buildings. A one hour drive through Geelong and up the Princes Freeway completes the circuit of the Bay and returns travellers to Melbourne.
|
|
||||
|
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.
A visitors introduction to Phillip Island Holidays Phillip Island Introduction from the people at Wikitravel Melbourne Hotels for the cost conscious buyer looking for the best prices
|
|||||
Australian Tours Booking Centre |
|||||
|
Melbourne | Melbourne Surrounds | Port Phillip Bay | Central | South East | North East | West Coast | Murray River | Wimmera |
|
Australian Holidays | School Holidays | Public Holidays | Links | Site Map | Contact | Advertising |
|
Site Design & Management By Australian Travel Emporium |
Places To Go &
Things To See At Port Phillip
