Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail

One bay, two peninsulas, a full day of tastes. The Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail packs Bellarine wine, Mornington beer, coastal scenery, lunch, and a Port Phillip Bay ferry into one long outing from Melbourne. I like the variety of stops, especially the way the day moves from vineyard to waterfront to brewery. I also like that the ferry links two separate regions without making you retrace the same road.

The main trade-off is time. Ten hours is a lot for one tour, and each stop lasts roughly 30 to 60 minutes. I would choose this outing for an easy overview rather than a slow, intimate winery day. The beer stop may also feel less appealing if you want wine at every tasting, though the mix gives the day a wider appeal.

Key points at a glance

• Two peninsulas in one day: Visit the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas without arranging separate transport.
• A scenic bay crossing: The Queenscliff ferry adds a pleasant 45-minute break, with Devonshire tea and possible dolphin sightings.
• Lunch with a view: Jack Rabbit Vineyard combines a glass of wine, a vineyard setting, and a substantial midday stop.
• A former horse-training site: St Andrews Beach Brewery offers a beer paddle in a converted stable setting.
• A strong guide can shape the day: Guides including Gary, Margaret, Brooke, and Kyle have been praised for warmth, information, and relaxed pacing.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 21, with pickup and return from central Melbourne locations.

Why this tour works as a Melbourne day trip

Melbourne has plenty of food and drink within the city, but the two peninsulas give you a different picture of Victoria. The Bellarine Peninsula is reached first, while the Mornington Peninsula comes later, after the ferry crossing. You get vineyards, sea air, farm-style food, beer, beaches, and broad bay views in one day.

I see this as a useful choice for a first visit to the region. You do not need to rent a car, navigate rural roads, or decide which winery deserves your limited time. The air-conditioned vehicle handles the long stretches, and the guide fills in the gaps between stops.

The tour begins at 8:30 am and lasts about 10 hours. That early start matters because the route covers a large area. You should expect a full day, not a casual afternoon excursion. The reward is that you can return to Melbourne with a clear sense of how the Bellarine and Mornington areas differ.

The group limit of 21 keeps the experience smaller than a large coach outing, though it is still a shared tour. Pickup is offered from central locations, which makes the morning simpler if you are staying in central Melbourne. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the tour operates only when the minimum number is met and weather conditions allow.

Geelong Waterfront gets the day moving

The first stop is Geelong Waterfront, where you have about 30 minutes to walk along the esplanade and get some fresh sea air. This is not a major attraction visit, and that is fine. It gives you a chance to stretch your legs after pickup before the food and drink tastings begin.

The waterfront is also a sensible introduction to the day. You are starting beside the bay, then spending the morning on the Bellarine Peninsula before crossing Port Phillip Bay later. I like this brief opening because it prevents the tour from feeling like one long series of cellar doors.

Do not expect a long independent visit here. Thirty minutes passes quickly, so use it for the waterfront walk rather than trying to find a café or shop. If you need breakfast, eat before pickup or plan accordingly, since snacks are not included.

Scotchmans Hill brings the first wine tasting

The first winery stop is Scotchmans Hill, set among vineyards on the Bellarine Peninsula. The tasting takes place at an old French provincial barnhouse, with views across the estate. The setting gives you more than a quick pour at a counter. It puts the wine in a rural setting that feels connected to the area you are visiting.

The tasting is included, as are all fees and taxes. That is important for value, since a day built around several tastings can become expensive when each stop charges separately. Here, you can sample the winery’s wines without reaching for your wallet each time.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a focused tasting, but not enough for a leisurely winery visit or a detailed look at the estate. If you already know a lot about wine and want a long technical discussion, the schedule may feel brisk. I think it works best for people who want an introduction and a pleasant setting rather than a specialist class.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard combines lunch and views

Jack Rabbit Vineyard is the main midday stop, with about an hour for lunch. The property is known for broad views, and the café provides the chance to eat in a setting that is part restaurant and part vineyard outing. Lunch is included, along with a glass of wine.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day because it gives you time to sit down. After the early start and first tasting, a proper meal keeps the tour from becoming a string of rushed samples. The café is also described as a place locals enjoy, which adds a little more character than eating at a generic roadside stop.

You should not read the one-hour timing as an invitation to linger for an entire afternoon. Lunch, the glass of wine, and the views all fit into a compact visit. I would keep your order simple and watch the time, especially if the group is scheduled for the ferry.

For many people, this stop provides the best balance of food and scenery. You get a vineyard restaurant, seasonal dishes, and a chance to enjoy the Bellarine setting without paying extra for lunch. The exact food selection can change, so the tour information does not promise a particular dish.

The Queenscliff ferry changes the pace

From Queenscliff, the group boards Searoad Ferries for a 45-minute cruise across the bay. A Devonshire tea is included, and you can watch the water and coastline during the crossing. Keep your eyes open for dolphins, which have been spotted from the ferry, though sightings are not guaranteed.

This crossing is the tour’s cleverest feature. Instead of driving all the way around Port Phillip Bay, you use the water to connect the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas. It also gives you a welcome change from the vehicle. After several land-based stops, standing outside and watching the bay makes the day feel less compressed.

Weather will affect this part of the outing. On a calm, clear day, the cruise should be one of the most enjoyable moments. In rough or cold conditions, the open-air viewing areas may be less inviting, so bring a layer even if Melbourne begins with mild weather.

The Devonshire tea is a pleasant extra rather than a full snack break. Since snacks are not included elsewhere, I would not rely on it as a substitute for breakfast or expect it to carry you through the entire afternoon.

St Andrews Beach Brewery adds a different taste

On the Mornington Peninsula, the tour stops at St Andrews Beach Brewery for around 45 minutes. The brewery occupies a former world-class horse-training facility, and the setting gives the stop a sense of place. You get a beer paddle tasting and the chance to watch the brewers at work.

This is where the tour becomes more than a wine circuit. I like the contrast between the Bellarine vineyards and the Mornington brewery. It also gives anyone in your group who is less interested in wine something to look forward to.

The beer stop will not suit everyone. One person specifically preferred replacing it with another winery, and that is a fair criticism if wine is your main reason for booking. The tour includes wine at Scotchmans Hill and a glass at Jack Rabbit, then beer at St Andrews, so the balance is deliberate. If you want three winery visits, choose a wine-focused tour instead.

For me, the 45-minute visit is long enough to enjoy the paddle without allowing the brewery to dominate the day. The converted stable setting also adds visual interest, and the stop may appeal to anyone curious about small-scale brewing rather than only traditional cellar-door tastings.

Murrays Lookout gives you the big picture

After the brewery, the vehicle climbs to Arthurs Seat. At Murrays Lookout, you get panoramic views across Port Phillip Bay toward Melbourne. This is a short 30-minute stop, but it provides the broadest view of the route you have traveled.

The lookout works best as a final scenic pause rather than a major hike. The information provided does not describe a walking program, so I would treat it as a viewpoint visit. Bring your camera, but also take a moment to connect the geography: Bellarine is across the water, Mornington is beneath you, and Melbourne sits beyond the bay.

This stop is especially useful after the ferry. On the boat, you experience the bay at water level. From Murrays Lookout, you see its full scale. The combination gives the day a stronger sense of place than a standard winery transfer.

Timing can be tight here. Thirty minutes allows for views and photographs, but not a long wander. Stay aware of the meeting time so the group can reach the final beach stop without a rushed finish.

Mornington’s Bathing Boxes end the route

The last stop is the Bathing Boxes on the Mornington Peninsula, with about 30 minutes to see the colorful beach huts and the surrounding shore. These boxes are one of the area’s best-known symbols, and their bright fronts make an easy final photo stop.

I like ending here because the day finishes beside the water rather than at another tasting room. The bathing boxes also show a more local, summery side of the peninsula. You are not simply visiting producers. You are seeing the coastal places that give the region its identity.

Again, this is a short stop. You will have time to look around and take photographs, but not to settle in for a swim or extended beach visit. The tour is designed to show you several highlights, not to provide long free periods.

Afterward, the vehicle returns you to central Melbourne locations. The exact return time can vary with traffic and the day’s conditions, so avoid booking a tight evening commitment.

What the guides add to the experience

The route covers a lot of ground, so the guide matters. Gary has been praised for enthusiasm and strong local information, while Margaret helped create a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. Brooke was described as a lovely guide, and Kyle received praise for being friendly and informative.

Those details point to an important part of the tour’s value. You are not only paying for transport and tastings. You are also paying for someone to keep the day organized while explaining the regions along the way.

A good guide can make the vehicle time useful rather than wasted. They can also help a mixed group settle into the day, especially when some people care more about wine, others about beer, and others about views. Guide quality can vary from departure to departure, but the repeated praise for warmth and information is encouraging.

Is $157.08 good value?

At the listed price of $157.08 per person, the tour includes a full day of transport, lunch, wine tastings at Scotchmans Hill, a glass of wine at Jack Rabbit, beer tasting at St Andrews Beach Brewery, the ferry, Devonshire tea, and all fees and taxes.

That is a solid package if you would otherwise need to hire a car, pay for fuel, arrange tastings, buy lunch, and purchase the ferry crossing separately. The most valuable inclusion is not one single tasting. It is the ability to visit both peninsulas in one day without driving.

The price is less attractive if you want a slow winery experience. You are paying for breadth, not long visits at each property. A dedicated winery tour could give you more time at fewer producers, while this route gives you wine, beer, food, ferry travel, lookout views, and beach scenery.

The tour is booked an average of 57 days ahead, so popular dates may disappear early. If your Melbourne stay is short, I would reserve it before arrival rather than assume you can find a last-minute place.

Who should book the Around the Bay Taste Trail?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see both the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas in one organized day. It suits couples, friends, and food-focused visitors who want a mix of wine, beer, scenery, and lunch without renting a car.

It is also a good choice for first-time visitors to the region. The route gives you enough exposure to decide which area you might return to later for a slower visit.

I would hesitate if you dislike long touring days, need lots of free time, or want wine at every stop. The beer paddle is a deliberate part of the program, and the schedule leaves little room for lingering.

The free cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number can also lead to a different date or a full refund. Since the tour depends on good conditions, that flexibility is useful.

My verdict on this peninsula-to-peninsula day

I like the Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail because it refuses to make you choose between food, drink, and scenery. The ferry crossing, Jack Rabbit lunch, and Murrays Lookout give the day shape, while Scotchmans Hill and St Andrews provide the tasting stops.

The route is busy, but that is also its strength. In 10 hours, you see Geelong Waterfront, the Bellarine vineyards, Queenscliff, Mornington’s brewery country, Arthurs Seat, and the bathing boxes. Book it when you want a broad, well-organized introduction to the bay region. Skip it only if you prefer a slow cellar-door day or have no interest in beer.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 am.

Is pickup provided in Melbourne?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided from central locations in Melbourne.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 21 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at the vineyard restaurant is included.

Which wineries are included?

The tour visits Scotchmans Hill Winery and Jack Rabbit Vineyard.

Is wine tasting included?

Yes. The package includes wine tasting at Scotchmans Hill and a glass of wine at Jack Rabbit.

Is the ferry ride included?

Yes. The 45-minute Searoad Ferries crossing from Queenscliff is included.

Is beer tasting included?

Yes. St Andrews Beach Brewery provides a beer paddle tasting.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.