Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail

Port Phillip Bay is the star of this full-day tour. Instead of visiting only one wine region, you travel from Melbourne to Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, then cross the water by ferry to explore the Mornington Peninsula. Between vineyard stops, a brewery and coastal viewpoints, you get a broad taste of the country around the bay without arranging the transport yourself.

I like two things in particular: the ferry crossing, which turns the transfer between regions into a scenic break, and the combination of a vineyard lunch and included tastings. At Jack Rabbit Vineyard, you eat at a restaurant known for its views, while the day also includes wine at Scotchmans Hill and beer at St Andrews Beach Brewery.

The trade-off is a full schedule. Most stops last 30 to 45 minutes, with an hour for lunch, so this is a tasting sampler rather than a slow wine-country afternoon. If you would rather spend more time at wineries and less time on beer or sightseeing, the mix may not suit you perfectly.

At a glance

• Two peninsulas in one day: Visit the Bellarine and Mornington regions, with a ferry crossing between them.
• Wine, beer and lunch are included: The day features a tasting at Scotchmans Hill, a glass at Jack Rabbit, lunch, and a beer tasting at St Andrews Beach Brewery.
• A scenic ferry break: The 45-minute Searoad Ferries crossing includes Devonshire tea, with a chance to spot dolphins.
• Coastal views add variety: Geelong’s waterfront, Murrays Lookout at Arthurs Seat and the Mornington bathing boxes break up the food stops.
• Small-group transport: Pickup is offered from central Melbourne locations, and the group is limited to 21 people.
• Plan for a long day: The tour lasts about 10 hours and begins at 8:30 am.

Why crossing the bay changes the day

The appeal here is not simply the number of tastings. The route links two distinct parts of the region, and the ferry makes the geography part of the outing. You get a sense of how the bay shapes local travel, while avoiding the need to plan your own ferry connection, driving route or designated driver.

The day starts on the Bellarine Peninsula, around Geelong and its wineries, then continues to Queenscliff for the crossing to the Mornington side. Once ashore, the tour turns to beer and coastal scenery. It is a compact introduction to the region, though the pace means you will see only a handful of places rather than explore any one town in depth.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and central Melbourne pickup and drop-off are offered. That is useful on a day with multiple stops and tastings: you can relax between them rather than navigate country roads. The group maximum is 21, large enough to bring a sociable feel but limited enough to avoid the scale of a big coach outing.

Geelong waterfront: a brief sea-air start

The first stop is Geelong’s waterfront, where you have about 30 minutes to walk along the esplanade and take in the bay. It is an easy opening to the day, especially if you have just left central Melbourne and want to stretch your legs before the vineyard visits.

Keep expectations in proportion. This is a short orientation stop, not a guided tour of Geelong, and no admission is required. Its value is the chance to see the water and settle into the day before heading out to the Bellarine wineries.

Scotchmans Hill: the first wine tasting

Scotchmans Hill is set among vineyards in a French provincial-style barnhouse, with views across the property. You have about 30 minutes for a wine tasting, making this the clearest dedicated wine stop on the schedule.

That short visit gives you a taste of the Bellarine’s wine scene without needing to choose a winery or arrange transport. But it is not a leisurely cellar-door session. If you want time to study the wines, ask questions at length or linger over a second glass, the stop may feel brief.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard: lunch with a view

At Jack Rabbit Vineyard, the tour pauses for about an hour at the vineyard restaurant. Lunch is included, as is a glass of wine. The location is known for its views, so this is the day’s main chance to sit down, eat and enjoy the setting rather than move straight from one tasting to the next.

The meal is part of the value, not an optional extra you need to arrange on the road. However, the menu and dietary options are not specified, and snacks are not included. If you have particular food needs, check those details before booking rather than assuming the included lunch will cover them.

Jack Rabbit is also described as a second winery stop, but its role differs from Scotchmans Hill: it is primarily the lunch break, with a glass of wine, rather than a long formal tasting. That distinction matters if you are booking mainly for wine education.

Queenscliff ferry: a pause on Port Phillip Bay

The 45-minute ferry ride from Queenscliff is one of the day’s most distinctive stretches. Devonshire tea is served as you cross Port Phillip Bay, giving you a relaxed break between the Bellarine and Mornington regions. Keep an eye on the water: dolphins have been spotted from the ferry, though sightings are never guaranteed.

The crossing makes the itinerary more than a series of winery visits. It offers open-water views and a chance to rest before the second half of the day. It is also a practical link between the two peninsulas, handled as part of the tour rather than left for you to coordinate.

St Andrews Beach Brewery: a different kind of tasting

On the Mornington Peninsula, the tour stops at St Andrews Beach Brewery for about 45 minutes. The brewery occupies a former horse-training facility, an unusual setting for a craft beer stop, and the tasting is served as a beer paddle. You may also get a look at the brewing operation.

This is a useful counterpoint to the wine tastings, especially if your group has mixed tastes. Still, beer is not everyone’s idea of a food-and-wine tour. One visitor would have preferred another winery in its place, so consider the brewery a meaningful part of the itinerary, not a token stop you can ignore.

The tour’s guide can shape how relaxed the day feels. Guides named by visitors include Gary, Margaret, Brooke and Kyle, with praise for their friendly manner, enthusiasm and explanations. The specific guide on your departure is not guaranteed, but the role matters on a long day shared in a small group.

Arthurs Seat and the Mornington bathing boxes

The tour makes two short scenic stops after the brewery. At Arthurs Seat, you spend about 30 minutes at Murrays Lookout, where the view stretches across the bay toward Melbourne. This is a good place to take in the scale of the route you have travelled, from the Bellarine side to Mornington.

Another 30 minutes is set aside for the Mornington Peninsula’s bathing boxes, colourful beach structures that have become a local symbol of summer. They give you a distinctly coastal finish to a day otherwise centred on tastings. These are sightseeing pauses, not extended beach visits, so do not count on time for a swim or a long walk.

The schedule’s mix of food, drink and scenery is its strength. It also explains the pace: the tour covers a lot of ground, and the lookout and beach stops are brief. If your priority is a relaxed day at the coast, a dedicated Mornington visit may suit you better.

What the $157.08 price covers

At $157.08 per person, the price includes lunch, air-conditioned transport, wine and beer tastings, the ferry crossing, all listed fees and taxes, and the glass of wine at Jack Rabbit. Devonshire tea is part of the ferry experience. Snacks are not included.

The value comes from bundling several moving parts into one day. You visit both peninsulas, cross the bay, taste wine and beer, and have lunch without needing to book each piece or drive after drinking. For someone without a car, or for a visitor with only one day to spare, that convenience counts.

There is a limit to that value if you are focused on one specific interest. A wine enthusiast seeking several cellar-door tastings may find the beer stop and sightseeing breaks take time away from wineries. A person who likes varied scenery and local food, on the other hand, gets more than a tasting tour for the price.

Who will enjoy this route most

I would choose this tour if I wanted a broad introduction to the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas, especially without renting a car. It suits couples, friends and solo visitors who like trying local wine and beer, appreciate coastal scenery, and are comfortable spending most of the day on a planned route.

It also works well for a group with mixed interests. A beer tasting, vineyard lunch, ferry ride and lookout stops offer more variety than a day built around wine alone. The maximum group size of 21 keeps it smaller than a large coach tour, although you should still expect to share the day and its timetable with other people.

It is less suitable if you want to choose your own wineries, spend hours at one cellar door, or set your own lunch pace. The tour is about 10 hours, starts at 8:30 am and moves through several stops. The average booking lead time is 57 days, so if your dates are fixed, it is sensible to check availability well ahead.

Booking details worth knowing

Pickup and drop-off are offered from central locations in Melbourne, and the start time is 8:30 am. Confirm the exact pickup arrangements when booking, since the available details do not name a specific meeting address. The activity uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Most people can participate, and the group is capped at 21. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or too few bookings can lead to cancellation, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail?

Book it if you want a practical, varied day out that links two peninsulas with wine, beer, lunch, a ferry ride and memorable bay views. The included transport and food make the $157.08 fare easier to assess, while the route gives you a useful first look at regions that are awkward to cover independently in one day.

Skip it if you want a slow, wine-focused visit with several long tastings. The brewery and sightseeing stops are integral to the experience, and the schedule moves briskly. For a first visit to the area, though, the balance is appealing: you get a taste of both sides of the bay without spending the day behind the wheel.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours. It starts at 8:30 am.

What food and drink are included?

Lunch, a wine tasting at Scotchmans Hill, a glass of wine at Jack Rabbit Vineyard, and a beer tasting at St Andrews Beach Brewery are included. Devonshire tea is served on the ferry. Snacks are not included.

Does the tour include a ferry ride?

Yes. The itinerary includes a 45-minute Searoad Ferries crossing from Queenscliff, with Devonshire tea.

Is pickup available in Melbourne?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from central locations in Melbourne. The exact locations are not specified in the available details.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 21 people.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or minimum numbers cause the tour to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.