Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail

The clever part of this full-day outing is that you cover both the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas without renting a car. Wine, beer, lunch, a ferry crossing, sea air, and big bay views all fit into one long day from Melbourne.

I like the mix of proper sightseeing and tastings, rather than spending every hour inside cellar doors. I also like the ferry ride across Port Phillip Bay, which breaks up the road time and gives you a chance to look for dolphins.

The trade-off is the schedule. Ten hours is a long day, and the tour visits several places at a steady pace. If you want a slow winery afternoon with plenty of time at one estate, this is not that kind of trip. The beer stop may also be less appealing if you only want wine.

Key points at a glance

• Two peninsulas in one day: See the Bellarine and Mornington regions without arranging your own transport.
• Scotchmans Hill tasting: Sample wine in an old French provincial-style barnhouse among the Bellarine vineyards.
• Lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard: Stop for a meal with broad views and a glass of wine included.
• Queenscliff ferry crossing: Sail across Port Phillip Bay with Devonshire tea and the chance to spot dolphins.
• St Andrews Beach Brewery: Try a beer paddle at a brewery set in a former horse-training facility.
• Murrays Lookout and bathing boxes: Finish with classic Mornington Peninsula scenery and colorful beach huts.

Why this bay-to-bay route works

Many day trips from Melbourne choose one wine region and stay there. This tour takes a more ambitious route, crossing from the Bellarine Peninsula to the Mornington Peninsula by ferry. That gives you a taste of two different coastal areas in one outing, along with a useful sense of how wide Port Phillip Bay is.

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. with pickup from central Melbourne locations. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, with a maximum group size of 21 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach tour, though you should still expect a shared schedule and limited time at each stop.

The appeal is variety. You are not simply driven from one tasting room to the next. The day includes a waterfront walk, vineyard scenery, a restaurant lunch, a boat ride, a brewery, a lookout, and a beach stop. I find that mix valuable because it keeps the day from becoming a string of similar cellar-door visits.

The tour is priced at $157.08 per person. That is not a cheap self-guided day, but the price includes transport, lunch, wine tastings, a glass of wine at Jack Rabbit, beer tasting, the ferry, Devonshire tea, and fees and taxes. Once you add up a meal, several tastings, fuel, parking, and the ferry fare, the package makes reasonable sense for someone who wants convenience.

Starting beside the Geelong Waterfront

Geelong Waterfront is a pleasant opening stop. You get about 30 minutes to walk along the esplanade, breathe in the sea air, and see a little of the city before heading toward the Bellarine Peninsula.

This short walk matters because the rest of the day involves a fair amount of driving. It gives you a chance to stretch your legs and settle into the coastal mood before the wine tasting begins. Do not expect a long Geelong visit. This is a quick introduction, not a city tour.

The waterfront also sets up the geography of the day. You begin on the western side of Port Phillip Bay, then spend the morning on the Bellarine Peninsula before crossing by ferry to Mornington. If you like seeing how a region fits together, the route itself is part of the experience.

Wine among the vines at Scotchmans Hill

Scotchmans Hill is the first tasting stop. The setting is an old French provincial-style barnhouse surrounded by vineyards, with views across the Bellarine Peninsula. You have about 30 minutes for the wine tasting.

That timing keeps things moving, but it also means this is an introduction to the estate rather than a long wine lesson. You can sample the local wines, take in the setting, and get a first sense of the region’s produce. If wine is your main reason for booking, you may wish the tasting were longer.

The location gives the stop its character. You are tasting in a vineyard setting rather than a generic bar, and the old barnhouse helps make the visit feel tied to the countryside. The tour includes the tasting, so you do not need to budget separately for it.

The Bellarine portion of the trip is especially useful for anyone who has not explored the wine country outside Melbourne. It is close enough to visit on a day trip, yet different enough from the city to feel like a real change of pace.

Lunch with a view at Jack Rabbit Vineyard

Jack Rabbit Vineyard is the main food stop. The tour allows about an hour here for lunch at the vineyard restaurant, with a glass of wine included. The venue is known for its wide views and has a reputation as a place locals like to return to.

An hour is enough for a comfortable meal, but not for a leisurely afternoon at the restaurant. You should think of lunch as a well-placed part of a touring day rather than a long food-and-wine session. The meal is included, which makes the price easier to justify.

This is one of the stronger parts of the route because it combines food, wine, and scenery in one stop. Instead of eating at a highway café, you have lunch among the vineyards with the Bellarine Peninsula in view.

The tour does not include extra snacks, so bring something small if you tend to get hungry between meals. Alcoholic drinks beyond the listed tastings and included glass may also cost extra.

Crossing Port Phillip Bay from Queenscliff

After lunch, the route reaches Queenscliff for the ferry crossing. The sailing takes about 45 minutes, and Devonshire tea is included as you travel across the bay. Keep your eyes on the water, since dolphins can sometimes be seen from the ferry.

This boat ride is the tour’s best change of rhythm. You leave the vehicle, take in the open bay, and get a different view of the coast. It also makes the two-peninsula route possible without a long drive all the way around Port Phillip Bay.

The ferry is a sightseeing element, not a private cruise. Conditions on the water and visibility can affect what you see. The day also requires good weather, so poor conditions may lead to a rescheduled date or a full refund rather than a boat trip in rough weather.

The crossing gives you a practical sense of the area’s size. On a map, Bellarine and Mornington may look like neighboring coastal districts. From the ferry, you experience the bay that separates them.

Beer and old stables at St Andrews Beach Brewery

On the Mornington Peninsula, you stop at St Andrews Beach Brewery for about 45 minutes. The brewery occupies a former world-class horse-training facility, and the setting adds more interest than a standard tasting room.

Here you receive a beer paddle tasting and may see the brewing operation. This is a useful counterpoint to the morning wine stops. You can compare local beer with the wines from Bellarine, and the stop gives non-wine drinkers something to look forward to.

The brewery is not the perfect fit for everyone. If you are booking strictly for wine, you may prefer another winery in its place. The tour operator keeps the brewery as part of the balance, and I think that is fair for a mixed food-and-drink group, but it is worth knowing before you book.

The old stable setting also connects the stop to the rural character of the Mornington Peninsula. It is not just a quick drink in a city taproom. You are tasting in a place with a former working role, surrounded by the region’s open scenery.

Murrays Lookout at Arthurs Seat

The next stop is Arthurs Seat, specifically Murrays Lookout. You have around 30 minutes to take in the wide view across Port Phillip Bay toward Melbourne.

This is the point where the day’s geography comes together. From high ground on Mornington, you can look back across the water toward the Bellarine side and the city. After traveling around the bay and crossing it by ferry, the view has more meaning than it would at the start of the day.

Bring a phone or camera, but do not let the lookout turn into a rushed photo stop. The tour gives you a short window, so use a few minutes to simply take in the bay. Weather makes a real difference here, and the view will be clearer on a bright day than in low cloud or rain.

Arthurs Seat also helps break up the food-and-drink focus. You get fresh air, a high viewpoint, and a chance to walk before the final beach stop.

Colorful bathing boxes on the Mornington coast

The final listed stop is the Mornington Peninsula’s bathing boxes. These small, colorful beach huts are one of the area’s familiar symbols of summer, set beside the beaches and framed by the coastal scenery.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough to see the boxes, take photographs, and enjoy the beach setting, but it is not a long beach visit. Swimming is not presented as part of the tour, so pack your expectations around sightseeing rather than a seaside break.

This ending works well because it brings the day back to the coast. After vineyards, lunch, the ferry, beer, and a hilltop view, the bathing boxes offer a simple final image of the Mornington Peninsula.

Some of the most enjoyable moments on this tour may come from small surprises along the route. Good weather can bring clear views, and previous outings have included kangaroo sightings and dolphins from the ferry. Those are possibilities, not promises, so treat them as bonuses.

Guides, group size, and the pace of the day

The guide has a big effect on a day this full. Guides named in tour feedback include Gary, Margaret, Brooke, and Kyle. Gary was praised for his enthusiasm, Margaret for creating a relaxed atmosphere, Brooke for being warm and pleasant, and Kyle for being friendly and informative.

You should expect the guide to handle the driving, timing, regional context, and transitions between stops. That matters because the route covers a lot of ground. A good guide keeps a long day feeling organized rather than tiring.

With a maximum of 21 people, the group is not tiny, but it is more manageable than a major sightseeing coach. Pickup and drop-off are provided from central Melbourne locations, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Your confirmation gives the exact pickup information.

The start time is 8:30 a.m., and the total duration is about 10 hours. Plan on returning in the evening. Wear comfortable shoes for the waterfront, lookout, and beach stops, and bring sun protection and water. Those suggestions are simple, but they matter when you are outside between tastings.

What the $157.08 price really covers

The strongest value comes from the number of separate costs bundled into one day:

• Air-conditioned transport from central Melbourne
• Lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard
• Wine tasting at Scotchmans Hill
• A glass of wine with lunch at Jack Rabbit
• Beer tasting at St Andrews Beach Brewery
• Queenscliff ferry crossing
• Devonshire tea aboard the ferry
• All listed fees and taxes

If you rented a car, you would need to manage the long route, ferry timing, parking, and alcohol limits. Driving yourself also means one person has to give up the tastings. This tour removes those hassles and lets you sample wine and beer without worrying about the return drive.

The value is weaker if you want only one type of drink or prefer to choose your own restaurant. A self-guided day may offer more freedom, and a dedicated winery tour might give you longer tastings. But for a one-day introduction to both peninsulas, the combination is practical.

The tour is often booked about 57 days ahead. That suggests planning early is sensible, especially if your Melbourne dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad first look at the region and do not want to drive. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy mixing food, wine, beer, scenery, and light sightseeing.

It is also a good choice for anyone who has only one free day. You will not become an expert on either peninsula, but you will see the main shape of both and sample several local producers.

You may want something else if you prefer a quiet, wine-focused day. The itinerary has several short stops, and the brewery may not appeal to a dedicated wine drinker. Families should also note that the main focus is alcohol tasting, even though the day includes coastal views and sightseeing.

The tour requires good weather and is designed for most people to participate. Since the data does not specify step-free access or detailed mobility arrangements, contact the operator before booking if you have access needs.

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

Book it if you value variety, included costs, and no driving more than a slow pace. The ferry crossing is the feature that makes this day different from a standard winery excursion, and the route gives you a useful look at both sides of Port Phillip Bay.

The best reasons to go are the Bellarine wine setting, vineyard lunch, Queenscliff ferry, Mornington views, and the chance to spot dolphins or kangaroos along the way. The main caution is the long schedule and mixed wine-and-beer program.

At $157.08, I consider it good value for a full day that includes transport, lunch, tastings, tea, and sightseeing. If you want one efficient day outside Melbourne with plenty of scenery and regional food and drink, this is a sensible pick.

FAQ

How long does the Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail take?

The experience lasts about 10 hours, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered from central locations in Melbourne. The meeting area is near public transportation, and the exact details are provided with your booking confirmation.

What food and drink are included?

The tour includes lunch, wine tasting at Scotchmans Hill, a glass of wine at Jack Rabbit Vineyard, beer tasting at St Andrews Beach Brewery, and Devonshire tea on the ferry.

Is the ferry ride included?

Yes. The Queenscliff ferry crossing is included, and the sailing lasts about 45 minutes.

Does the tour visit both the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas?

Yes. The morning includes stops on the Bellarine Peninsula, and the ferry takes you to the Mornington Peninsula for the brewery, Arthurs Seat, and bathing boxes.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 21 people.

Is hotel pickup provided?

Pickup and drop-off are offered from central Melbourne locations. The supplied tour information does not state that pickup is available from every hotel or suburb.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or insufficient bookings cancel the experience, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.