The exciting Rip Swim returns for it's 6th season. (DATE TO BE CONFIRMED). The project has 4 crosiing dates this season to allow more opportunities for crossing this notorious stretch of water. Each crossing will hvae up to 4 groups of 6 swimmers. 7 December, 5 & 20 January and 3 February. Come down and cheer these brave swimmers in at the POint Lonsdale pier!!

Tickets include: * Steam train ride along Swan Bay (45 mins) * Mrs Claus reading a Christmas story * Sing-a-longs with our carolling Elf * Each child will be given a gift by Santa * Christmas themed face painting * Photo opportunities using your own camera * Plus more! TICKET PRICES: $ 27 Adult (18 yrs+) $ 24 Concession $ 37 Child (4-17 yrs) $ 22 Toddler (1-3 yrs) $ 18 Baby (0-11 mths) – optional* $110 Family 1 (2 Adults & 2 Children) – save up to $18 $136 Family 2 (2 Adults & 3 Children) – save up to $29 * Tickets for babies are optional, so parents can decide if they wish their baby to also receive a present and extras, along with their siblings. Babies without tickets are not guaranteed a seat, however parents are welcome to carry them.

Hosted by renowned local artist, Jacki Burke, bring out your inner Picasso at Paint and Sip at Leura Park Estate. There will be wine, canapes, cheese and painting instructions. The Class includes art supplies- including aprons, instruction by Jacki Burke, five 75 millilitre premium wine tastings, delicious canapes and cheese and your own canvas masterpiece to take home. Just bring along photo inspiration you would like to paint on the night.Please refer to the website for further details, as each class can vary.

Kids can enjoy a children’s version of our regular High Tea including a tiered platter of sweet and savoury treats, soft drink, juice or hot chocolate, whilst mum and dad or grandparents will receive our usual High Tea offering which includes a glass of sparkling wine, coffee or tea. Sail the bay for a two hour return trip for this special school holiday outing. Kids can look for dolphins, visit the playground and have their face painted.

Want a taste of what you will experience at GABF 2020? The 8th annual Great Australian Beer Festival Geelong will have a new home at the iconic Johnstone Park in the heart of the CBD. Located right next to the Geelong Train station, and only a few minutes walk to the waterfront and entertainment district, it's so easy to get to. Picture hundreds of amazing beers and ciders that you can sample or just kick back and relax with. Smoking slow-cooked meats and Geelong’s best burgers, a rocking piano-bar, a gin bar, slushies and wine just to mix it up. Music will feature Sneaky Sound System and Kim Churchill and local band Kite Machine with more to be announced. One ripping day filled to the brim with memories. Celebrate great beer, with a smorgasbord of artisan brews from across the Geelong, Bellarine, Surf Coast and Otway regions. It is the only place in Australia you will find all these local brewers in one place. How much does each tasting cost? Beer or cider will cost $2 for an 80ml tasting, or $6 for a full 285ml pot. Beers are at or just below bar prices. Speciality brews or high ABV brews may be charged at a higher price. Check with the individual brewers before making your purchase. Where is GABF being held and what time is the festival? GABF has a new location at Johnstone Park, Geelong CBD. A cross the road from Geelong train station, and next to the Geelong Art Gallery. Gates open at 1pm and close at 8pm, Alcohol service will cease at 8pm. Can I buy tickets at the gate? Yes tickets will be available at the gate. Tickets purchased on event day are $45. Online ticket sales close at midnight Friday 17th. Save yourself some dollars and pre-purchase online! Can children come? Yes children are welcome, we will have activities and kids entertainment. Children 12 and under are free, 13 to 17 year olds are $20. Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times, even if they are 17 years old they cannot wander around by themselves, as this is a fully licensed event.

With over 15 different race series catering from the highest performance Grand Prix racers to trailable cruisers, the varied race action is sure to offer something for everyone, and spectators will certainly not be disappointed. First held in 1844, the Festival of Sails is Victoria's oldest ongoing sporting event, and the largest annual keel boat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere. For those not competing on-water, there is plenty of shore-side excitement taking place with over 100,000 people flocking to the stunning Waterfront Geelong over the Australia Day holiday period to be part of the excitement. The Fireworks Extravaganza will take place on the Geelong Waterfront on Australia Day, 26 January 2019.

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is a pro event being staged in Geelong and the Surf Coast for the sixth consecutive year in January 2020. (Specific dates yet to be confirmed). Thousands of elite cyclists will be in Geelong this summer to be part of the third Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race - expected to be bigger and better than the previous events! Consisting of the 174km Elite Men’s Race, which in a coup for the event, has secured a place on the coveted UCI WorldTour racing calendar (2017-2019), announced by world cycling’s governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and 113km Elite Women’s Race (also endorsed with an official UCI classification). Riders will travel from the Geelong Waterfront to Barwon Heads, Torquay and return. There's also an open participation event - the Swisse People's Ride, enabling approx. 4,000 cyclists to ride the course. There are 65km and 111km courses again, plus the introduction of a new, shorter course - 35km.

Surf Board Hire at the Front Beach at Point Lonsdale - surf boards, boogie boards and stand up paddle boards. Call Shayleigh 0447 619 566

Come along try a selection of wines from the Geelong, Moorabool and Bellarine regions... then stay on to dinner at Queenscliff's best pub.

Experience a living history on a guided tour around our beautiful town. The walks take approximately one and a quarter hours and take you past a few of the towns historic buildings. There are many facets to be highlighted in this short history of Queenscliff including early settlement, the maritime and military connection, and the splendid hotels and guesthouses. Today many nineteenth century buildings have been restored once again offering visitors a picturesque seaside resort town.

"Escape into Queenscliff's fascinating maritime past..." EXPERIENCE TALES OF THE SHIP WRECKS, LIFEBOATS, FISHERMEN, RESCUES, LIGHTHOUSES, SHIPPING & BOATING, AND ALL THE MARITIME HERITAGE AROUND THE 'RIP' (THE ENTRANCE TO PORT PHILLIP FROM BASS STRAIT). The Museum was established to preserve and display the last lifeboat, the 'Queenscliffe', which served for 50 years until she was retired from service in 1976. The restored 'Queenscliffe' now forms the core of the museum display, surrounded by rare artefacts and objects illustrating the Lifeboat service since the 1850s. The Museum's maritime collection is displayed in the Museum itself, as well as in the Museum grounds where you can explore maritime relics and several historic buildings housing various displays. Make sure you browse the Museum's nautical Gift Shop for that perfect keepsake. *OPEN 11.00AM - 4.00PM DAILY (closed Christmas Day, Good Friday, Anzac Day - am only)*

The Queenscliff Brewhouse, former Esplanade Hotel is a historic 1878 pub with a veranda overlooking the bay. Located at the end of Hesse St, next to the park and near the pier. Many events are held throughout the year, especially in the Whisky Bar upstairs. Locals nights, trivia, and whisky tastings are regularly occurring. Please refer to the website for further details.

Season: October 9th to May 9th Explores the pristine Marine National Parks of southern Port Phillip Bay. Visit areas only accessible by boat, on an up close nature-based adventure highlighting the unique history, wildlife and coastal landscape. View BottleNose Dolphin cruising over the shallow sand bars. Visit Australian Fur Seals at Chinaman’s Hat and see the Australasian Gannet at their breeding colony on Popes Eye.

Esta Costilla is your private chef services provider, your personal chef and maybe even your best friend when it comes to providing a quality dining experience at your home or your holiday rental. We cater for all different tiers including private dinner parties, private birthdays parties, small corporate events and intimate wedding engagements. Esta Costilla seeks to create a rather effortless experience for our valuable customers. We come fully prepared with beautifully crafted silver, glass, plates, flower vases, white tablecloths, candles, matched wines etc.… and for groups larger then twelve we provide a more casual Mediterranean style settings to better suite the vibe. Esta Costilla’s philosophy stems from one place and that is that there is no substitute for quality. It’s not often that you will find a company that is totally obsessed with the quality of service, level of presentation and attention to detail as we are. These qualities are at the core of what we do and who we are and how we would like you and your guests to perceive your experience when hiring us. Putting on the plate food that not only looks good but also tastes the way food should, is a driving motif/ philosophy for us and it’s not that Esta Costilla is averse to getting brownie points for looks, its just that our dishes need to reflect something deeper and more profound. We do this by honoring nature’s gifts and not over interpreting or dictating to our palates.

Historical and Educational Guided Tours: Enjoy a rare opportunity to tour a 19th century coastal artillery fort and includes a visit to the ammunition magazines buried under the cliffs of Shortland's Bluff, & to gun emplacements which reveal the gun crew's amazing views of the RIP to protect Port Phillip from attack by enemy ships. Photos are allowed. Tours are Monday to Fridays: 11am; Saturday & Sunday's: 11am & 1.45pm. Over summer some extra times are added. Tours are guided and last 1.5 hours. Tour prices vary from $7 to $15.00.Cash is payable at the door, and photo Identification is required for adults.

Queenscliff railway steam train.The blues train.Australia's best blues musicians.See the blues train website for more information and dates.

SHOWCASING LOCAL FOOD, WINE, BEER & CIDER Welcome aboard The Q Train. The Q Train is a restaurant that travels along the historic Bellarine Railway between Drysdale and Queenscliff. The train usually departs from, and returns to, Drysdale Station, just an easy 15-minute drive from Geelong. However, during the first week of the month, as well as every second Thursday, The Q Train usually departs from and returns to Queenscliff station. Please check the timetable page before booking accommodation to choose a time and departure station that suits you. Never before has Australia seen a heritage rail line used for showcasing local food, wine, beer and cider. We’re inviting locals and visitors alike to come aboard our restored carriages and enjoy a gastronomical journey unlike anything else you have experienced. We are serving local produce on every journey from the comfort of our refurbished dining cars; providing every customer with a delicious rail journey, and unique views of Swan Bay and the Bellarine. Wine and dine in style with The Q Train. *The Q Train clearly displays departure stations and times on our timetable page. Please check your confirmation email carefully for departure times and stations, as refunds cannot be given if you miss the train. Call us on 0474 968 309 if you have questions.

The Q Train is a restaurant that travels along the historic Bellarine Railway between Drysdale and Queenscliff. The train usually departs from, and returns to, Drysdale Station, just an easy 15-minute drive from Geelong. However, on select services The Q Train departs from, and returns to, the Queenscliff Railway Station. Please check the timetable page before booking accommodation to choose a time and departure station that suits you. Never before has Australia seen a heritage rail line used for showcasing local food, wine, beer and cider. We’re inviting locals and visitors alike to come aboard our restored carriages and enjoy a gastronomical journey unlike anything else you have experienced. We are serving local produce on every journey from the comfort of our refurbished dining cars; providing every customer with a delicious rail journey, and unique views of Swan Bay and the Bellarine. *The Q Train clearly displays departure stations and times on our timetable page. Please check your confirmation email carefully for departure times and stations, as refunds cannot be given if you miss the train. Call us on (03) 4238 3930 if you have questions.

THE ONLY WAY OF ENTERING THE FORT IS ON A GUIDED TOUR: The Fort is open for pre-booked tours on Weekekends and during the Victorian School Holidays at: 11AM & 1.45PM Guided Tours. Enjoy the rare opportunity to join a guided tour of a 19th Century Coastal Artillery Fort (operating as an Australian Army Base) with over 150 years of Australia's heritage on display. You will see historic Fort features covering activities of an artillery garrison, and hear about an artillery soldier's life between 1860 and 1946, and the activities of the Department of Defence to the current date. A tour of the Fort takes approx. 1 1/2 hours and includes a visit to the ammunition magazines buried under the cliffs of Shortland's Bluff, & to gun emplacements which reveal the gun crew's amazing views of the RIP to protect Port Phillip from attack by enemy ships. Photos are allowed. Entry gates to Fort Queenscliff are located in King Street, Queenscliff. Photographic I.D. for all adults is required at the gate. Gates open 10 minutes before the tours start. No public toilets are located inside the Fort. (In some months there are additional tours according to peak tourist times) ........................................... DUE TO OUR CARD SERVICE SOMETIMES NOT OPERATING CAN YOU ENSURE YOU HAVE CASH TO COVER ADMISSION COST. Charges Card Visa, Mastercard, American Express & Cash. Adults $15. Concession, Seniors & Student cards $10. Children under 15 years $7. Family ticket $35.00 (2 adults & immediate family children under 15 years).

The Point Lonsdale Market is one of the larger and more popular markets on the Bellarine Peninsula. The market features local produce from locally made jams to spuds straight from the farmer's cart. Lovers of art and craft are not forgotten either with plenty home made clothes and artworks up for great prices. All goods are home made, produced or grown. There are art and craft stalls and plant and food stalls. This market is held on the second Sunday of the month and on Easter Saturday. There are approximately 150 stalls, indoor and outdoor, with goodies for the whole family.

Open for general public tours every Sunday morning from 9:30 am until 1:00 pm (last tour). The Lighthouse was opened in March 1902, and is 21 meters tall. Please note that children under 5 years and 95cm tall will not be allowed. To book for group bookings telephone 0490 550 837. Please note that fees apply and that cash is payable upon arrival.

Fresh fruit and vegetables, Jams, Cakes, Jewellery, Plants, Soaps, Quality Clothes and lots more.... The Barwon Heads Market is every Saturday from December to January and on the last Saturday every month from February to November. (Various dates from 25 August 2018 to 31 August 2019) Upcoming dates: 27 July 2019, 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM 31 August 2019, 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Welcome to the Bellarine Bluegrass Pickers’ Jam Session. Our aim is to play and promote bluegrass music. Everyone with an interest in bluegrass music is welcome to participate. All welcome to attend our monthly bluegrass session. Bring along your bluegrass songs & fiddle tunes to share or just sit, have a drink and enjoy the music! If you are new to bluegrass music, it will be beneficial to learn some its basics and listen to the many popular performers of the genre. Youtube is an amazing resource for this. This Sunday will be from 12:30pm to 4:30pm. Music and drinks available. Just turn up.

Bring Thomas and his Friends to life! Thomas The Tank Engine will be at Queenscliff all day, for unlimited rides in those Troublesome Trucks. Oliver will take everyone on a scenic 45-minute trip from Queenscliff to Lakers Siding and return – trains depart at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm Our guest attraction for the October event will be announced soon. Tickets are inclusive of the above along with: Enjoy the jumping Castle and Children’s Maze Visit the Thomas Movie and Story Room in the activity hall Find Henry and climb up to his Drivers Cab to blow his whistle! ‘Spot the Engine’ and ‘Thomas Colour-in’ competitions Every child receives a Junior Engineer Certificate and Thomas Tattoo! Photo opportunities galore and more! Upcoming Dates: 5-6 OCTOBER 2019 18-19 JANUARY 2020 4-5 APRIL 2020 Ticket Prices: $ 27 Adult (18 yrs+) $ 27 Child (4-17 yrs) $ 17 Toddler (1-3 yrs) Free Baby (11 mths or less) $ 90 Family 1 (2 Ad/2 Ch) save up to $18 $110 Family 2 (2 Ad/3 Ch) save up to $25 Aboves prices are valid for events between October 2019 and April 2020. While babies do not need a ticket, they are not guaranteed a seat.

Discover the fascinating history of Queenscliff and Southern Port Phillip.See Queenscliff maritime Museum website for further imformation.Also Point Lonsdale light house tours.Half Hour guided tours every Sunday morning.9.30am-1.00pm To Book call 0490 550 837

Great fun for all ages.Games,mini golf,cafe and BBQ.See Amaze in Games website for more information.

Father’s Day Heritage Trains & Vintage Machinery Event Drysdale Station First Sunday September 2020 The Bellarine Vintage Machinery Club enjoyed record attendance numbers for Father’s Day in September 2019.To see pictures from this event and find out more about the vintage machinery club visit their Facebook page. Details about the next event will be announced in March 2020

The Bellarine Peninsula’s top music festival returns with an A+ line-up The quiet seaside town of Queenscliff will be anything but quiet this November when the annual Queenscliff Music Festival returns. Now in its 23rd year, the annual festival was originally born out of necessity, with locals creating the festival to fill a gap in the region’s tourist season. The line-up for the 2019 Queenscliff Music Festival is chockers with big-name musicians lined up to entertain the masses. This year punters can look forward to a stack of homegrown talent, with the first line-up announcement featuring artists like Missy Higgins, the Cat Empire, the Delta Riggs, Clare Bowditch, Ash Grunwald, Troy Cassar-Daley, the Waifs and Hiatus Kaiyote. International ats so far confirmed include Allensworth, Alysha Brilla, Steve Poltz and (in a real blast back to mid-2000s pop) Newton Faulkner. Queenscliff Music Festival has even rounded up former Split Enz and Crowded House member Tim Finn. The second line-up announcement sees artists like Mojo Juju, Remi and one of Chile's most promising young songwriters Nano Stern. Camping, glamping and other accommodation options are available during the festival throughout the Queenscliff and neighbouring Point Lonsdale areas. Tickets are on sale now. Tickets cost between $110 - $250 per session/day - check website for details.

Enjoy the nostalgic ambience on board the Blues Train. As it makes its way between stops, gently rocking from side-to-side seemingly in beat with the music, patrons sit back in comfort enjoying both the scenery of the Bellarine Peninsula and the entertainment.See bellarine railway website for all dates.