Named after Queen Victoria, Queenscliff is located at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay approx 80klm from Melbourne. The Port Phillip Heads is the point for all shipping both container and passenger into the Port of Melbourne. I sailed through these heads in June 1969, and Sarah in February 1970.
Queenscliff was settled in the 1850s and soon became a strategic defence post given its proximity to the entrance of Port Phillip which provides shipping access to the cities of Geelong and Melbourne. At various times in the late 1800’s there was hostile powers threatening, in particular, Russia and France, so battle fortifications were established at the entrance to the bay at Queenscliff and the opposite entrance to the bay at Pt Nepean. The distance across the heads is approx 3 klms.
The lighthouse was built in 1862, but the period buildings still in abundance and extensive parklands are a treat. There is also a twin passenger and car ferry that operates between Sorrento and Queenscliff. The travel time is 40-45mins and runs on the hour.
The Bellarine Peninsula Railway operates a collection of heritage trains from around Australia on 16 kilometres of restored track between Queenscliff and Drysdale.
Container ship entering the heads with Pt Nepean behind.
VW Combo from the 1970’s popular early model RV.
Queenscliff is known for its Music Festival in November, wine and food fair in October, (Toast to the Coast) art & literary festival.
Short travel distance to the extensive surf coast, which holds the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach surfing event at Easter each year. This is the longest running event in the World Surf League Championship Tour.
