Food, wine, and views in one long day. This taste trail stitches together two peninsulas in one 10-hour loop, with a winery lunch plus cellar-door tastings that feel like you’re moving with the locals. I also like that the day includes both wine and craft beer (not just the usual two-bottle routine). The main catch: it’s not a good fit if you have limited mobility, since you’ll be doing plenty of sightseeing on the go.

You’ll start at the Geelong Waterfront and end at the iconic bathing boxes on the Mornington Peninsula. At $155 per person, it can feel like good value because lunch, tastings, and national-park fees are wrapped in—though you should plan for extra snacks and drinks since those aren’t included.

Key things I’d circle on this Taste Trail

• Geelong Waterfront start: a quick sea-breeze reset before the tastings begin
• Two regions in one day: Bellarine Peninsula wines, then Mornington Peninsula beer and viewpoints
• Lunch at a winery-style stop with views: you’re not just eating, you’re pausing
• Beer-paddle tasting at St Andrews Brewery in a former horse training facility
• Arthurs Seat and the bathing boxes: big views plus a very Melbourne summer icon

Why this Taste Trail works (and who it’s best for)

This tour is built for people who like food and drinks, but also like the sense of place that comes with slow travel—even when you only have one day.

I like that it doesn’t treat the day like a checklist of random stops. You move along a sensible arc: Geelong to the Bellarine Peninsula for wine, then across to Mornington for beer, coast views, and those colorful bathing boxes. That structure matters because it keeps the day feeling like a loop instead of a frantic hop-between-anywhere.

If you’re the type who enjoys pairing sips with context, you’ll get a lot out of it. You’re not just sampling. You’re learning how Bellarine and Mornington differ, and why locals talk about these places when friends visit Melbourne.

It’s also pretty straightforward in terms of expectations. You’ll have a real lunch, you’ll do tastings (wine and beer), and you’ll see a couple of standout viewpoints. The downside is that the tour isn’t positioned for wheelchairs or anyone who needs step-free, low-walking days.

The Mornington-and-Bellarine pairing: a smarter way to spend one day

Most Melbourne food tours pick one side of the bay and call it a day. This one combines two food-and-drink worlds in the same time window, which is why it feels efficient without feeling cheap.

On the Bellarine Peninsula side, the focus is wine—starting with Scotchmans Hill Vineyard and then moving toward Jack Rabbit Vineyard. On the Mornington Peninsula side, the focus shifts from cellar doors to craft beer at St Andrews Brewery, plus the coast viewpoints and bathing boxes that make the peninsula feel like summer year-round.

You’ll also get a bit of “in-between” time: a Devonshire tea during the bay sail, and lunch that gives you a chance to sit down and reset. That balance is what makes the day work if you’re not trying to rush every single minute.

Geelong Waterfront: the easy way to start with sea air

Your day begins with pickup from selected locations, then a drive to the Geelong Waterfront. Before you even hit vineyards or breweries, you get a proper start with fresh sea air and a walk along the esplanade.

This matters more than people think. Once you’re drinking wine and beer later, you’ll appreciate the early calm. It’s also a nice way to stretch your legs before you settle into the bus rhythm again.

If you’re hoping for dramatic skyline photos or a bit of casual wandering, Geelong delivers. It’s not the kind of place where you need a lot of time to feel like you’ve arrived.

Practical tip: if it’s cool or breezy when you start, bring a light layer. Coastal weather in Victoria can swing fast even when the city feels mild.

Scotchmans Hill Vineyard: Bellarine wine with old-world vibe

Your first wine stop is Scotchmans Hill Vineyard on the Bellarine Peninsula. The setting is described as picturesque, with magnificent views across the vineyards, and the tasting happens in an old French provincial barn house style structure.

That’s a real detail, and it changes the experience. Barn-style cellars tend to feel more intimate and relaxed than modern tasting rooms. You’re more likely to get that slower pace where you can actually ask questions and compare pours.

For your taste buds, this stop sets the tone. If you’re new to the region, you’ll get a guided sense of what to look for in Bellarine wines. If you already know your way around, it still helps because the guide can point out what makes this estate’s approach distinct in the broader peninsula picture.

Potential drawback: since this is a tasting stop early in the day, plan to pace yourself. It’s tempting to go for every sample, but you’ll want your appetite later for lunch and the rest of the route.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard and the lunch break that resets the day

Next up is Jack Rabbit Vineyard, known for breathtaking views. This is where lunch fits in, and it’s not just lunch-as-a-filler.

Jack Rabbit Cafe is positioned as a great spot to try the Bellarine Peninsula’s food. The tour frames it as a local favorite that people don’t want to leave once they’re there. Whether that means you’ll find yourself lingering for a second coffee or quietly taking in the views, the intent is clear: this is your sit-down moment.

Why it works: after back-to-back tastings, you need a pause where you can eat without rushing. Lunch is also the moment you can recalibrate your drinking pace. If you want a lighter afternoon, you can do it here.

Keep an eye on dietary needs. You’re asked to inform requirements at booking, and alcohol consumption requires being at least 18 and having valid photo ID. So if you have allergies or specific limits, sort that out early.

Devonshire tea during the bay sail: the calm in the middle

After lunch, you’ll sail upon the bay and enjoy Devonshire tea. This is the tour’s breathing space, and it’s also one of the sneaky reasons the day feels more enjoyable than a straight wine-and-beer shuttle.

The bay sail adds motion and scenery, plus it’s a natural break from sitting in the vehicle. Even if you’re not a boat person, this part gives you a change of pace, and it helps the day feel like an experience instead of a schedule.

You should treat it as a chance to slow down. Sip your tea, take in the water views, and let your body catch up from the morning stops.

St Andrews Brewery: craft beer in a former horse training facility

Then comes one of the tour’s most distinctive moments: St Andrews Brewery on the Mornington Peninsula.

This craft brewery is set among the peninsula’s beauty and, importantly, it used to be a world-class horse training facility. That history isn’t just trivia. It shapes the physical space and the vibe of the tasting.

Here, you’ll do a beer-paddle tasting, and you’ll also have the chance to watch brewers crafting and pouring fantastic brews right from the stable doors. That live action makes tastings more fun, because you’re not stuck facing a menu and waiting.

If wine isn’t your main thing, this stop can become the star. Beer paddles are structured but flexible—you taste multiple styles without needing to commit to a full pint right away.

A practical note: don’t show up hungry and don’t rush the paddle. You’ll likely feel it later, especially after the wine stops earlier.

Arthurs Seat and Murrays Lookout: the view you’ll remember

After the brewery, you stop at Arthurs Seat. The highlight here is panoramic clifftop coastal views from Murrays Lookout, across the bay toward the city.

This is the kind of viewpoint that turns a drink-and-food day into a real trip. The tour is about tastings, but the big takeaway is often the view. When you’re standing up high looking out, it becomes easier to understand why people build holidays around this area.

Time-wise, this is a great later-day stop because it feels like a payoff. You’ve already done the main sensory stuff (tastings, lunch, tea). Now you’re rewarded with scenery that makes the route feel worth it.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, keep an eye on how you feel after the bay sail and the bus rides. It’s not stated as a problem on this tour, but viewpoints involve some exposure to wind and movement, so be smart with how you position yourself.

Mornington Peninsula Bathing Boxes: the iconic summer symbol

Near the end of your peninsula experience, you’ll visit the Peninsula Bathing Boxes—those colorful beach boxes that are basically the symbol of summer on the Mornington Peninsula.

This stop is different from a lookout. It’s more playful, more photo-friendly, and more tied to local identity than to wine or beer. It’s also a quick way to anchor the day with a very recognizable image before you head back.

If you’re a photographer, you’ll likely enjoy this more than you think. Bright colors in natural light always help, and the boxes give you something to frame that isn’t just sky and water.

Price and value: what $155 covers, and what to budget

The advertised price is $155 per person for a 10-hour day. What makes it feel like value is the set of inclusions:

• Wine and beer paddle tastings
• A winery lunch
• National park fees
• A friendly, informative guide
• Round-trip transportation from selected pickup locations

That’s a lot to pack into one day without you having to chase tickets and reservations across multiple places.

What’s not included matters too. Snacks and other drinks aren’t part of the package. Tastings don’t always fill you up, and you may want water, extra food, or an additional drink beyond what’s served in the tastings.

My advice: treat this as a drinks-and-lunch day, not an all-you-can-eat picnic. Bring a little extra cash or card comfort. You’ll thank yourself later.

Also remember the alcohol rule. You must be at least 18 and show valid photo ID to consume alcohol. If you’re booking for a group with mixed ages, plan around that.

Guides and the relaxed tone of the day

One more reason this tour tends to land well is the human factor. The names that show up in recent departures include Gary, Matt, and Kyle, and the common thread is a friendly, informative style.

You can feel the difference when a guide isn’t just naming places, but helping you understand what you’re tasting and why the stops matter. That’s especially useful here because the day switches between wine regions, then beer, then viewpoints. Without that context, it can feel like a bus tour with snacks. With it, the day feels more like a guided introduction to the peninsula food scene.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes asking small questions—what pairs with what, why this region produces what it produces—you’ll likely enjoy the pace.

Practicalities that actually affect your comfort

This is a 10-hour experience, and it’s designed for people who can handle day-trip movement. It’s not recommended for limited mobility.

Also pay attention to what you can bring. Luggage or large bags aren’t allowed. Unaccompanied minors and baby strollers aren’t allowed either. If you’re traveling light, great.

Pickup is included from selected locations. The guide meets you outside your pickup point, and the vehicle is clearly marked with an Explore Australia Tours logo (described as a purple bus or clearly marked vehicle). Arrive at least 10 minutes early so you don’t miss the check-in window.

Finally, note that tour stops may vary from time to time. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s a problem; it often just means the operator adjusts for timing, traffic, or seasonal conditions. Just don’t book it as a rigid appointment outside the day-trip window.

Should you book this Around the Bay Food & Wine Taste Trail?

Book it if you want one day that covers a lot of variety: Bellarine wine, Mornington craft beer, a proper lunch, Devonshire tea on the bay, and iconic coastal stops like Arthurs Seat and the bathing boxes. The $155 price feels reasonable when you factor in transport, tastings, lunch, and national-park fees, especially if you don’t want the hassle of arranging all of it yourself.

Skip it if you need step-free, low-activity sightseeing. This isn’t marketed for limited mobility, and the route includes viewpoints and active stops. Also skip it if you don’t drink alcohol or you’d rather avoid tasting days altogether. The tour is alcohol-adjacent by design, and you’ll still need to cover snacks since they aren’t included.

If you’re on the fence, the biggest deciding question is simple: do you want a guided, food-first day that mixes drinking with views? If yes, this is a strong match.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Melbourne Around the Bay Food & Wine Taste Trail?

The tour runs for 10 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is listed at $155 per person.

Is pickup and transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation to and from selected pickup locations is included.

What food and drinks are included?

You’ll get wine and beer paddle tastings, a winery lunch, and Devonshire tea during the bay sail.

Are snacks and other drinks included?

No. Snacks and other drinks are not included.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

It is not recommended for people with limited mobility.

Do I need ID to consume alcohol?

Yes. You must be at least 18 years old and present a valid photo ID in order to consume alcohol.