Queenscliff is such a wonderful and unique place because it is situated on an isthmus which means it is almost an island. Port Phillip Bay is on one side and Swan Bay is on the other and still only 80 minutes drive away by road or sea from Melbourne. The town was almost lost from memory at the beginning of World War 2 and no developments took place. As a result there are the unique contrasts of both a resort and a working town. Fishermen, ships pilots and soldiers came to Queenscliff to make it their home. There are many hotels, cafes, historic buildings, modest fishermen’s cottages, bay beaches, surf beaches, boatbuilders and ferries.

Activities in Queenscliff: There are several tennis courts, squash courts and two golf courses in the town and several playgrounds and skateparks nearby for children. Sailing or motor vessels can be hired for trips to or from Melbourne or to the other side of the bay. There is the Marine Science Centre, scuba diving, the Swan Bay wildlife reserve, horse riding, cycling along the Bellarine Rail Trail, the Maritime Museum, Fort Queenscliff, Dolphin swims and The Blues Train. A steam train also runs weekends and on school holidays at the Queenscliff Railway at the bottom of Hesse Street. A regular ferry service runs daily to Sorrento. There are Sunday markets, art galleries and gift shops. Queenscliff is also the start of the Great Ocean Road - The gateway to The 12 Apostles.

Queenscliff was first occupied during the 1850’s and quickly became a strategic defence post because of its convenient position at the entrance of Port Phillip Bay which provides shipping access to the cities of Geelong and Melbourne. Tours are available at Fort Queenscliff for anyone interested in the history of The Australian Army in the town. Queenscliff also has a rich maritime history of shipwrecks, transport, fishing and tourism which can be found at the Maritime Museum near the harbour.Queenscliff is surrounded on by the water on 3 sides giving the edges of town large stretches of coastline a combination of sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, cliffs and historic piers. At Shortlands Bluff is the Queenscliff Lighthouse which was promptly built in 1862 to guide ships and includes a lookout near the base. Further along the coast is the Black Lighthouse, unique in Australia, having been constructed from bluestone.

The Queenscliff Harbour has been transformed into a 38 million dollar marina housing vessels for the wealthy and also boasts a restaurant with a 360 degree view observation tower. The tower is open from 10am – 6pm daily and gives fantastic views of Port Phillip Bay. The yard has the capability of lifting vessels up to 150 tonnes with one of the largest Marina Straddle carriers in Victoria. In water work berths are available at the harbour and vessels up to 100ft can be stored. At the eastern side of the harbour is a car and passenger ferry service which operates between Queenscliff and Sorrento and gives tourists the opportunity to save 4 hours driving back across to the Mornington Peninsula.