Melbourne: Around the Bay Food & Wine Taste Trail

The clever part of this day is that you visit two wine regions without repeating the same road. You begin around Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, cross the bay, then finish among the wineries and coast of Mornington Peninsula. It is a big day, but the circle route gives it purpose.

I like the mix of wine, beer, and coastal scenery, rather than a full day spent at cellar doors. I also like the ferry ride with Devonshire tea, which breaks up the driving and gives you a fresh view of the bay. The main drawback is the pace: ten hours and several stops leave limited time at each place, and the tour is not suitable if walking or getting in and out of a vehicle is difficult.

Key points at a glance

• Two peninsulas in one day: Taste Bellarine wine in the morning, then visit Mornington Peninsula for craft beer and coastal views.
• Lunch among the vines: Jack Rabbit Vineyard provides a winery meal with broad views over the Bellarine Peninsula.
• A ferry crossing with Devonshire tea: The bay crossing adds a scenic change of pace between the two regions.
• Beer from former horse stables: St. Andrews Brewery occupies a former horse-training site and offers a beer-paddle tasting.
• Arthurs Seat viewpoint: Murrays Lookout gives you wide views across the bay toward Melbourne.
• Beach boxes to finish: The colorful Peninsula Bathing Boxes provide an easy final photo stop by the water.

Why this route works better than a single-region wine tour

Many day trips from Melbourne choose one wine area and stay there. This one takes a wider view. You start near Geelong on the Bellarine Peninsula, cross Port Phillip Bay, and continue through the Mornington Peninsula before returning to your pickup point.

That route matters because the two regions have different moods. The Bellarine portion brings vineyard visits, a long winery lunch, and views across the water. Mornington adds a craft brewery, high coastal lookouts, and the bright bathing boxes that have become a symbol of the peninsula.

You will spend plenty of time in the vehicle. That is the trade-off for seeing both regions in one day. If you want a slow tasting at one or two wineries, choose a smaller regional tour instead. If you have only one free day and want food, drinks, water views, and a sense of the area around Melbourne, this route gives you more variety for your time.

The tour costs $155 per person. That includes pickup and return transport from selected locations, wine and beer tastings, winery lunch, national park fees, and the guide. I consider that a reasonable package for a ten-hour day, especially since you avoid arranging a driver while tasting alcohol. Snacks and other drinks are extra, so bring some spending money.

Starting at the Geelong Waterfront

After pickup, the day begins at the Geelong Waterfront. This is a sensible first stop. Instead of rushing straight to a tasting room, you get a chance to walk along the esplanade, breathe in the sea air, and see the bay from shore.

The waterfront stop also helps you settle into the day. You can stretch your legs after the vehicle pickup and get an early sense of the coastline before heading into the Bellarine vineyards. The exact amount of free time is not specified, so you should expect a short orientation walk rather than a long independent visit.

Your vehicle should be easy to identify, with a purple bus or Explore Australia Tours branding. Arrive at least ten minutes before departure, and meet the guide outside the selected pickup location. Pickup is included, but only from the locations offered when you book.

Scotchmans Hill and the Bellarine wine country

The first cellar-door stop is Scotchmans Hill Vineyard, set in an old French provincial barn-style building among the vines. The setting is part of the appeal. You are not tasting in a city bar or a generic shop, but at an estate with views across the Bellarine Peninsula.

The included wine tasting gives you an introduction to the local region without asking you to buy a full bottle or commit to a longer tasting. You can focus on the differences between the wines and ask the guide or cellar-door staff questions as you go.

I would treat this as a regional introduction rather than a serious wine course. The tour does not promise a private tasting, a set number of wines, or a particular grape variety. Stops can change, too. Still, Scotchmans Hill gives the first half of the day a strong sense of place, and the old building should appeal to anyone who enjoys a cellar door with character.

If you plan to purchase wine, remember that you will spend the rest of the day moving between stops. A small purchase is easier to manage than several bottles, since large bags and luggage are not allowed on the tour.

Lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard

Jack Rabbit Vineyard is the main food stop. The café is known for its views, and lunch is served in a setting overlooking the vines. This is not just a quick sandwich break between tastings. The meal gives the day a proper pause and lets you enjoy the Bellarine Peninsula at a slower pace.

The food offering can change, and the supplied details do not name a fixed menu. Tell the operator about dietary requirements when you book. That is much safer than trying to arrange a substitute at the table.

Lunch is included, which helps the price feel fair. Winery meals can otherwise push the cost of a day trip up quickly, especially when transport and tastings are added. You will still need to pay for snacks and other drinks outside the included items.

The setting may be the real highlight here. You can look over the vines, eat without having to drive, and spend time with the group before the afternoon route begins. The practical catch is that a popular winery café can feel busy, and the tour’s timetable may limit how long you can linger after eating.

Crossing the bay with Devonshire tea

The ferry ride is one of the best features of the route because it changes the rhythm of the day. After the Bellarine stops, you travel across the bay while enjoying Devonshire tea and watching the coastline from the water.

A ferry crossing offers something a road transfer cannot. You see the shape of the bay, get open air and water views, and have a natural break from the vehicle. It also makes the route feel like a true crossing between two regions rather than a long drive with unrelated stops.

The ferry portion is weather dependent in feel, even if the tour operates as planned. Bring a light layer, since conditions on the water can be cooler than at the vineyards. The included details do not specify how long you remain on the ferry, so think of it as a scenic connection and tea break rather than a full sightseeing cruise.

Past guests specifically praised the ferry as a valuable addition, along with the food and drink stops. I can see why. This is the part that keeps the day from becoming a chain of tastings.

Beer tasting at St. Andrews Brewery

The next stop shifts from wine to beer at St. Andrews Brewery on the Mornington Peninsula. The brewery occupies a former world-class horse-training facility, with brewing and pouring taking place around the old stable buildings.

You receive a beer-paddle tasting, which usually means several small pours rather than one large beer. That suits the tour. You can sample different styles without drinking a full serving at every stop, and you still have time to enjoy the setting.

The brewery stop also gives you a look at another part of the peninsula’s food and drink scene. Wine often gets all the attention around Melbourne, but a craft brewery adds variety and makes the day more appealing to couples or groups with mixed tastes.

The experience is not built for dedicated beer study. You should not expect a long production tour or an in-depth brewing class based on the information provided. The value is the combination of tasting, old stable buildings, and a relaxed stop after the ferry.

You must be at least 18 and carry valid photo identification to consume alcohol. If you are under 18, child fares apply for ages 0 to 15, and children must travel with an adult. The alcohol rules still apply even if a child is part of your booking.

Arthurs Seat and Murrays Lookout

After the brewery, the tour heads to Arthurs Seat. At Murrays Lookout, you can take in broad views across Port Phillip Bay toward Melbourne.

This is an important stop because it gives you a sense of the distance covered. Earlier, you were looking across the water from the Bellarine side. Now you are high on the Mornington Peninsula, seeing the bay from another angle.

The lookout is also a useful counterpoint to the food and drink stops. You get out, take photographs, and focus on the coastline rather than a tasting glass. The views should be particularly satisfying for anyone who wants more than cellar doors from a regional day trip.

Wear sensible shoes and be prepared for some walking. The tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility, and the operator specifically lists mobility impairments as a reason not to book. Exact walking distances are not provided, so ask before booking if you need a detailed accessibility assessment.

The Peninsula Bathing Boxes

The final sightseeing stop is the Peninsula Bathing Boxes, a row of colorful beach boxes that have become one of the Mornington Peninsula’s best-known symbols.

These small structures are mainly a visual stop. They give you a quick coastal photo opportunity and a look at a long-standing beach tradition. Their painted fronts make a cheerful finish after the more formal winery and brewery visits.

Do not expect a long beach outing unless the schedule allows it. The tour has already covered several stops, and the bathing boxes are included as a final attraction rather than a full afternoon at the shore. If you want a day built around swimming, beach time, or independent exploration, this is not the right format.

For many people, though, the stop works well. It rounds out the day with something distinctly local and free of tasting-room sales pressure.

The guide and the feel of the day

The guide can make a large difference on a ten-hour tour. The experience is conducted in English, and the guide drives, keeps the timetable moving, and explains the places along the route.

Gary was particularly praised for being friendly, informative, and relaxed. Matt was also singled out for his strong knowledge of the wines and local food. Kyle received similar praise as an excellent driver and guide. These names give you a useful sense of the standard expected from the team, but guide assignments can change, so do not assume one of them will lead your departure.

The best guides on this kind of day do more than recite facts. They help you understand why the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas are worth visiting, point out what matters at each stop, and keep the mood easy when the schedule is full.

The group setting also has a social side. You share tastings, lunch, the ferry ride, and the vehicle with other people. That can be fun if you enjoy meeting others. It is less suitable if you want private time, a quiet car, or complete control over how long you spend at each stop.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

Ten hours is a full day. The schedule includes transport, a waterfront walk, two drink tastings, lunch, a ferry crossing, Devonshire tea, a brewery visit, a lookout, and the bathing boxes. You should expect a structured day with little room to add your own stops.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket for the waterfront, ferry, and lookout. Pack only what you need because luggage and large bags are not allowed. Baby strollers are also not allowed, although infant seats and child booster seats may be provided if requested at least 72 hours before departure. You may bring your own seat as well.

Inform the operator of dietary needs at booking. Bring valid photo ID if you plan to drink. Since snacks and other drinks are not included, a small supply of water or money for purchases is sensible, as long as it fits within the bag restrictions.

At least two people are required for the tour to operate. Stops can vary from time to time, so keep some flexibility around the exact order and choice of locations.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Melbourne plans are still shifting, but they do not change the need to arrive ten minutes early.

Who should book this day?

I would choose this tour if you want maximum variety in one day. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy food and drink but also want water views, a ferry ride, and a little local sightseeing.

It is especially useful for first-time visitors who do not have a rental car or do not want to nominate a sober driver. The included transport, lunch, tastings, and national park fees make planning simple.

I would choose another option if you are a serious wine collector who wants long cellar-door visits, or if you prefer a quiet day with only one region. The route covers a lot of ground, and the two peninsulas are connected by distance as much as by food and wine.

You should also skip it if mobility is a concern. The tour is not recommended for people with mobility impairments, and the combination of vehicle transfers, waterfront walking, ferry access, and lookout stops may be tiring.

Should you book the Around the Bay Taste Trail?

Book it if you want an easy, social way to sample the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas without organizing transport. The strongest reasons are the two-region route, the winery lunch, the ferry with Devonshire tea, and the change from wine to craft beer at St. Andrews Brewery.

At $155, the package offers solid value for a ten-hour day because lunch, tastings, transport, and national park fees are included. Just accept that this is a brisk sampler, not a slow food holiday. If that sounds right, it is one of the more varied ways to see the bay in a single day.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts 10 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

What is included in the price?

The price includes wine and beer paddle tastings, a winery lunch, national park fees, an English-speaking guide, and round-trip transportation from selected pickup locations.

Is the ferry ride included?

Yes. The route includes a ferry crossing across the bay, along with Devonshire tea.

Where does the tour visit?

The route includes the Geelong Waterfront, Scotchmans Hill Vineyard on the Bellarine Peninsula, Jack Rabbit Vineyard, St. Andrews Brewery on the Mornington Peninsula, Arthurs Seat at Murrays Lookout, and the Peninsula Bathing Boxes. Stops may vary.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged 0 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and child fares apply. The tour does not allow unaccompanied minors. Infant seats or booster seats can be requested at least 72 hours before departure.

Can I drink alcohol on the tour if I am under 18?

No. You must be at least 18 years old and show valid photo identification to consume alcohol.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The tour is not recommended for people with mobility impairments. It includes vehicle transfers, walking at the waterfront and lookouts, and access to the tour stops.