Port Phillip Bay turns a normal tasting day into a proper coast crawl. This Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail pairs Bellarine Peninsula cellar time with Mornington Peninsula beer stops, plus a ferry ride and famous photo spots.

What I like most is the mix of structured tastings and real scenic breaks, not just a rush from venue to venue. I also love that you get lunch included at a vineyard café, so the day doesn’t revolve around snacking.

One consideration: it’s a long 10-hour day, and tastings run with the schedule—so you’ll want to pace yourself and plan for good weather.

Key highlights that matter

• Geelong Waterfront start gives you an easy seaside warm-up before the alcohol starts
• Scotchmans Hill Winery tasting in a French provincial-style barn setting among vineyards
• Jack Rabbit Café lunch plus a wine glass, built into the pacing of the route
• Searoad Ferries cruise on Port Phillip Bay, with Devonshire tea and big-sky views
• St Andrews Beach Brewery beer paddle in a former world-class horse training facility
• Murrays Lookout + Bathing Boxes at the end of the day for the best payoff photos

Mornington and Bellarine in one long lunch-and-coast day

This tour is designed to cover both sides of Port Phillip Bay in a single day: Bellarine Peninsula in the morning, then Mornington Peninsula later. That matters, because you’re not stuck choosing between wineries and breweries on opposite coasts. You get the full arc—sea air, vineyards, craft beer, ferry views, and the Bathing Boxes photo stop.

The route also feels balanced. You’re not doing six tastings back-to-back. Instead, the schedule builds in breaks: a waterfront walk in Geelong, a sightseeing lookout, and time on the ferry where the bay does the entertaining.

Also, the group is capped at 21 travelers, which keeps the day from feeling like a cattle-car situation. That size usually makes it easier to hear your guide and actually enjoy each stop instead of counting down the minutes.

Price and value: what $157.08 buys you

At $157.08 per person, you’re paying for more than entry tickets. You’re buying a full day of transport, set stops, and multiple inclusions: lunch, wine tastings, a beer tasting, and the Port Phillip Bay cruise. It also includes an air-conditioned vehicle and all fees and taxes, which helps you avoid surprise add-ons.

Here’s what’s clearly included:

• Wine tasting at Scotchmans Hill Winery
• A glass of wine with lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard
• A beer paddle tasting at St Andrews Beach Brewery
• Lunch at Jack Rabbit Café (the tour includes it)
• Searoad Ferries cruise time, plus Devonshire tea
• Pickup and drop-off from central Melbourne locations

There are a couple of gaps to be aware of. Snacks aren’t included, so if you snack a lot between tastings, you’ll want to plan for it. The tour does include several breaks, but it’s still a long day. A small snack you bring along can help keep energy steady.

How pickup and timing affect the feel of the day

The day starts at 8:30 am with pickup options from central Melbourne, and you’ll be dropped back after the final stops. The timing is built for maximum daylight hours—perfect for views from Arthurs Seat and the Mornington Peninsula Bathing Boxes.

Because you’re on a scheduled route, you’re trading flexibility for convenience. If you love wandering at your own pace, this isn’t that kind of tour. But if you want the best chance of seeing a lot without driving, it’s a strong value play.

You’ll likely notice two things while traveling:

• Your stops are short and purposeful (many are around 30 minutes)
• Tastings are scheduled, so you’ll want to drink slowly and eat when lunch is offered

If you’re planning photo breaks, remember that some stops are only about half an hour. That’s enough time for key photos, but it won’t replace a longer independent visit.

Stop 1: Geelong Waterfront walk to get your bearings

Geelong’s waterfront is the calm start. You get a 30-minute stroll along the esplanade, which is a nice way to shift from city energy into sea-air mode. This first stop is more about easing in than tasting, and that makes the rest of the day feel less frantic.

It’s also a useful reset. After pickup and a morning drive, a waterfront walk helps you shake off the travel stiffness before the vineyards and brewery start pulling focus.

Stop 2: Scotchmans Hill Winery on the Bellarine side

Your Bellarine Peninsula wine tasting comes at Scotchmans Hill Winery. The setting is a big part of why this stop works: it’s described as an old French provincial barnhouse, set among vineyards with great views.

The tasting itself is scheduled for about 30 minutes. That’s long enough to taste multiple wines, ask questions, and get your bearings on what styles you like—without turning it into a multi-hour detour.

A practical tip: if you’re sensitive to strong flavors, this is where you should take your time. Start with lighter pours, then move to fuller styles once you’ve figured out what you enjoy.

Stop 3: Jack Rabbit Vineyard café lunch with a wine glass

Lunch happens at Jack Rabbit Vineyard, and the tour gives you about 1 hour here. This is a key moment in the day, because it’s the point where you stop just tasting and actually eat. The venue is known for breathtaking views, and it’s tied to a café that locals apparently don’t rush to leave.

You’ll also receive a glass of wine with lunch. That pairing is smart because you’re not drinking on an empty stomach and you’ll have time to settle before the ferry portion of the itinerary.

If you’re the kind of eater who wants to make meal decisions without stress, this is your moment. Since you’re only at each tasting stop for a short window, it helps to treat lunch as your anchor meal.

Stop 4: Searoad Ferries cruise across Port Phillip Bay

Then you switch gears to the water. At Searoad Ferries – Queenscliff, you’ll cruise on Port Phillip Bay for about 45 minutes. The tour includes Devonshire tea, which is a fun, comforting change from the winery/beer rhythm.

This is also where you get the chance to spot wildlife from the boat. The itinerary notes watching for dolphins, and on a good day, that’s the kind of add-on you can’t recreate on land.

One realistic consideration: boat views are weather-dependent. If the day is choppy or cold, you’ll still enjoy the crossing, but you’ll want warm layers and a wind-resistant jacket. The tour info also says the experience requires good weather, so check forecasts before you go.

Stop 5: St Andrews Beach Brewery for a beer paddle

Next is St Andrews Beach Brewery on the Mornington Peninsula side. It’s a craft brewery set in scenery and it has a past linked to a world-class horse training facility. That detail gives the place a different vibe than a typical tasting room.

The tasting here is a beer paddle for about 45 minutes. For beer lovers, this is one of the best parts of the day because it slows things down compared to wineries. You can compare styles, talk through flavors with your group, and decide what you’d happily take home if bottles are offered.

If your group includes mixed drinkers—wine fans and beer fans—this stop is a good peace treaty. It keeps the day from leaning 100% wine-heavy.

Stop 6: Arthurs Seat and Murrays Lookout views

After the brewery, you get a scenic breather at Arthurs Seat. The stop includes time at Murrays Lookout, with panoramic views out across the bay toward the city.

You’ve earned this stop. By the time you get here, you’ve done waterfront walking, tasting rooms, lunch, and a ferry cruise. The lookout works as the visual payoff before the final iconic photo moment.

The time is about 30 minutes, so it’s not a long hike. It’s built for getting the best views without turning the day into a physical endurance event.

Stop 7: Bathing Boxes Mornington Peninsula for the iconic end

The final stop is Bathing Boxes on the Mornington Peninsula. These are the area’s summer symbol, and the tour gives you about 30 minutes here to view and photo them.

This works because it’s a recognizable, low-pressure finish. After tastings and travel time, you don’t need to do anything intense—you just soak in the iconic coastal imagery and wrap up the day.

Guides and group vibe: why the day feels smooth

The tour has a small group size, and that shows in the way the day moves. Guides are often described as friendly, enthusiastic, and good at keeping things comfortable. Names that come up strongly include Gary, Margaret, Kyle, and Brooke—each noted for making the experience feel easy and well-paced.

That guide impact matters because this route has several moving parts: a morning wine stop, lunch, a ferry crossing, a brewery, and lookout/photo stops by late day. A good guide helps you not just taste, but understand what you’re tasting and why the locations matter.

If you like being told what to look for—views, surroundings, and what to pay attention to in tastings—that’s the kind of day this is.

What to pack (so the 10 hours don’t feel long)

Even with pickup and a clear schedule, you’ll still spend a lot of time outdoors by the water. I’d pack with the ferry and lookouts in mind:

• A light jacket for the water crossing and lookout wind
• Sunscreen and a hat, especially for the Mornington and lookouts
• A small snack you bring yourself, since snacks aren’t included
• Comfortable shoes for the short waterfront walk and any uneven ground around viewpoints

Also, keep your phone charged. The Bathing Boxes and the lookout views can be photo-heavy, and you only get about half an hour at each.

Who this tour is best for

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• A full day that mixes wine + craft beer + food
• Coastal scenery without doing separate self-drive trips to both peninsulas
• A guided structure that handles transport, timing, and key stops

It’s less ideal if you:

• Want a slow, freewheeling day with long winery time
• Hate group schedules and fixed tasting windows
• Need lots of extra food between alcohol moments (since lunch is included but snacks aren’t)

If you’re traveling solo, couples, or with friends who all want different things—wine, beer, and views—this format tends to satisfy everyone.

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

I’d book it if you’re looking for a high-inclusion day: lunch plus wine tastings plus a beer paddle plus a ferry cruise, all with pickup and drop-off. At this price, the value mostly comes from the fact that transport and attractions are built in, not tacked on.

I’d skip or think twice if you’re easily tired by long days, or if your travel dates are less reliable weather-wise. The tour does require good weather, and the ferry and lookouts are part of the main payoff.

If your goal is to see Mornington and Bellarine in one outing—eat well, taste different styles, and end with iconic coastal photos—this is a smart choice.

FAQ

What is the approximate duration of the tour?

The tour runs for about 10 hours (approx.).

How much does it cost, and what’s included in that price?

It costs $157.08 per person. Included are lunch, air-conditioned vehicle, wine and beer tastings (including a wine tasting at Scotchmans Hill and a beer paddle at St Andrews Beach Brewery), plus the Port Phillip Bay ferry cruise and Devonshire tea, along with all fees and taxes.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided from central Melbourne locations, and the meeting point is described as near public transportation.

Where do the tastings and lunch take place?

Wine tasting is at Scotchmans Hill Winery. Lunch is at Jack Rabbit Vineyard with a glass of wine. Beer tasting happens at St Andrews Beach Brewery via a beer paddle.

Are snacks included?

No. Snacks are not included.

Does weather affect the tour, and what are cancellation terms?

The experience requires good weather. It offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.