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YOU DON’T HAVE to be chauffeur-driven between cellar doors in a red convertible Mustang on your weekend trip to the Bellarine. But when the weather is sunny and the ocean breeze mild, cruising with the top down past rolling vineyards and picturesque cow pastures is the vastly superior way to do it.

Likewise, I didn’t have to stay in a lavishly refurbished Victorian-era hotel to get a good night’s rest—especially after a full day on the winery trail. But since I came to the Bellarine specifically to indulge—as millions of local and overseas visitors do every year—I figured I may as well submit to being properly spoiled.

Port Phillip Ferries runs regular cruises between Docklands, Geelong and Portarlington, plus family-friendly special events like the Junior Captain Cruise and Nature Lovers Bay Cruise where kids travel free. It’s a good option for families who want a day out on the water without booking a full boat tour.

We get asked a lot whether a ferry trip counts as “a proper outing” for kids, or whether it’s just a way to get from A to B. Good news, it’s both! The boats are modern, there’s a café on board, the decks are pram and wheelchair friendly, and the school holiday events (think Junior Captain badges and a singalong cruise or two) are aimed squarely at families.

The Bellarine Peninsula is the lesser-known western cousin of the Mornington Peninsula, but it offers the same calibre of drinking, dining and gorgeous beaches. And while both are around the same distance by car from the Melbourne CBD (around an hour and a half), one thing that sets the Bellarine apart is its accessibility by ferry. Port Phillip Ferries departs daily from the Docklands, and the journey only takes 70 minutes, making it an easy destination for those without a car.

Not sure what to do when you get there? To guarantee you have a great holiday, we’ve rounded up our top picks for where to eat, drink and stay and play in the region.

There’s something satisfying about stepping off the ferry in Portarlington after a smooth ride across the bay from Melbourne. Maybe it’s the sea breeze, maybe it’s the change of pace, or maybe it’s just knowing you’ve skipped the traffic.

Travelling on Port Phillip Ferries is one of the easiest ways to explore The Bellarine. The ferry departs daily from Docklands and drops you right at the waterfront in Portarlington (or Geelong on the weekend). No car required. Just grab a coffee onboard, find a comfy spot by the window, and take in the views.

PORT Phillip Ferries has launched a new winter experience designed specifically for local residents looking for an easy, affordable and hassle-free day out in Melbourne.

The new Bay & River: Two Cruise City Explorer combines a return ferry journey across Port Phillip Bay with a guided sightseeing cruise along the Yarra River, giving locals the opportunity to experience two of Victoria’s most iconic waterways in a single day.

Priced at just $80 per person, the package includes return ferry travel between Portarlington and Docklands, morning tea on both cruises, a one-hour guided Yarra River cruise and free time to explore Docklands before returning home.

Port Phillip Ferries travel daily between Melbourne and the Geelong and Bellarine regions, but they’re not just a passenger service – they’re connecting people and experiences.

Whether for commuters or travellers, daily services between Portarlington and Docklands (70 minutes), Portarlington and Geelong (40 minutes), Geelong and Docklands (95 minutes) are ideal for a relaxed way to travel to Melbourne from the coast, or a regional adventure on Melbourne’s doorstep.

For those wishing to gain another view of Melbourne, there are daily cruises from Victoria Harbour down the Yarra River.

I was lucky to be part of a Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) organised media fam to discover Melbourne last month while attending the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) in Melbourne. We visited the Bellarine Peninsula with a group of travel journalists.

A relatively hidden treasure on Australia’s Victoria coastline lies between Melbourne’s laneways and the famed Great Ocean Road. The Bellarine Peninsula has long been a popular weekend retreat for city dwellers seeking surf, sun, superb wines, and hip breweries. On the other hand, international visitors are the second-largest group visiting the Bellarine Peninsula after cruising along one of Australia’s most incredible coastline drives.

I was lucky to be part of a Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) organised media fam to discover Melbourne last month while attending the Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) in Melbourne. We visited the Bellarine Peninsula with a group of travel journalists.

A relatively hidden treasure on Australia’s Victoria coastline lies between Melbourne’s laneways and the famed Great Ocean Road. The Bellarine Peninsula has long been a popular weekend retreat for city dwellers seeking surf, sun, superb wines, and hip breweries. On the other hand, international visitors are the second-largest group visiting the Bellarine Peninsula after cruising along one of Australia’s most incredible coastline drives.