Ferry views plus tastings all in one day. This Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail strings together Bellarine and Mornington Peninsula stops, with Port Phillip Bay cruise time, lookout breaks, and iconic coastal photo spots.

I really like the mix: you get two winery moments plus a brewery paddle, not just one type of tasting. I also like that lunch is built in at Jack Rabbit Vineyard, with a glass of wine included, so your day has rhythm and you do not have to plan meals between stops.

One consideration: it is a full day (about 10 hours), and you’ll spend time in transit between peninsulas. Also, snacks aren’t included, so if you’re a grazer, plan for a proper breakfast.

Key points before you go

• Bellarine-to-Mornington circumnavigation: you see both sides of Port Phillip Bay instead of doing just one peninsula.
• Ferry cruise with Devonshire tea: a real change of pace, plus a good shot at spotting dolphins.
• Tastings are included in the price: wine at Scotchmans Hill, wine at Jack Rabbit, beer at St Andrews Beach Brewery.
• Lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard: you get a sit-down meal, not a quick sandwich stop.
• Scenic breaks at Arthurs Seat and Murrays Lookout: views are part of the schedule, not an optional detour.
• Small group size (max 21) with pickup and drop-off from central Melbourne areas.

Why this Mornington and Bellarine route feels easy from Melbourne

Mornington and Bellarine can sound like two separate trips. This tour makes them one story. You start with Geelong on the waterfront, then head to the Bellarine Peninsula wineries, and later swing over to the Mornington side with a cruise and a couple of big view stops.

The smart part is how the day is paced. You get tasting time where it counts (cellar door-style stops) and sightseeing time where it makes sense (lookouts and the Bathing Boxes). It’s not a marathon of tiny photo stops. It’s more like a well-run loop: taste, eat, look out over the water, then taste again.

You also get help that matters in Melbourne: an air-conditioned vehicle plus pickup and drop-off from central locations. That means you can skip the logistics headache of hiring a car and figuring out parking at multiple wineries and a brewery. The tour uses a mobile ticket, so you’re not juggling paper vouchers.

Geelong Waterfront: a calm start before the tastings

Geelong Waterfront is a good opener because it wakes up your senses without forcing you into a tasting mindset immediately. You get about 30 minutes to walk the esplanade and take in the sea air before the day turns into wine, beer, and food.

This first stop also helps you get your bearings. Geelong is close enough to Melbourne that the morning feels manageable, and the waterfront walk is a simple way to loosen up after pickup and drive time.

If you’re the type who likes to ease into a day rather than jump straight into a cellar door, this start fits. It also gives you a moment to decide your pace for the rest of the day—especially if you’re planning to taste alcohol at multiple venues.

Scotchmans Hill Winery: French provincial barn vibes and big Bellarine views

At Scotchmans Hill Winery, the setting is the hook. The tasting happens in an old French provincial barnhouse among the vineyards. You’re not just standing in a production zone—you’re in a place built for lingering.

You’ll have around 30 minutes there for a wine tasting. This is one of the tour’s key tasting anchors, and it matters that it’s on the Bellarine Peninsula side. Bellarine wines often feel crisp and coastal, and having that first tasting early helps your palate adjust before lunch and before the later beer stop.

A practical note: your time here is scheduled, so don’t plan to ask for a full deep-dive into the entire cellar program. If you’re into learning, ask questions that connect to what you’re drinking right now—like what to pair it with or what style the region is known for.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard lunch: where the food and views do the work

Jack Rabbit Vineyard is the lunch stop, and it’s also where you get a wine moment built into the meal. Expect about 1 hour at the café/restaurant setting. The tour includes lunch, plus a glass of wine at Jack Rabbit.

What makes this stop valuable is that it’s not only a break; it’s a reset. After the first tasting at Scotchmans Hill, lunch gives you the fuel to keep enjoying the day instead of feeling like you’re just checking boxes.

Also, Jack Rabbit is known for views, and that shows in how the stop feels. You’re more likely to relax at the table, glance up at the scenery, and then return to the tasting part of the day with a clearer head.

If you want the most out of lunch: eat first, then taste. It sounds basic, but it’s the easiest way to keep everything enjoyable later.

Searoad Ferries from Queenscliff: Devonshire tea and dolphin-spotting time

Then the day changes gears with a cruise. You’ll head to Searoad Ferries in Queenscliff and spend about 45 minutes sailing on Port Phillip Bay.

The tour includes Devonshire tea as part of this ride. That matters because it turns the cruise from a transport segment into a true break. This is the moment where you can step away from the tasting gear and just enjoy the water.

And yes, you’ll want to keep your eyes up. The schedule has time in the right place to watch for dolphins, and the day gets more fun when wildlife shows up.

If you’re traveling with someone who is more into scenery than alcohol, this is where they’ll feel like they won. It’s also a good time to slow down your drinking pace so the rest of the day stays comfortable.

St Andrews Beach Brewery: a converted stable, a beer paddle, and locals-at-ease energy

After the cruise, you hit St Andrews Beach Brewery. Expect about 45 minutes here, and the core activity is a beer paddle tasting. This brewery is set in a beautiful Mornington Peninsula setting, and it has a backstory that makes the stop more interesting than just sampling foam: it used to be a world-class horse training facility.

That history helps explain the vibe. It feels like a working craft space with character, which makes it easier to talk with the brewers and pay attention to what you’re tasting.

The tour includes the beer tasting, so you don’t need to pay separately to enjoy the experience. You’ll also have time to watch the brewers, which adds context if you care about how beer differs from wine.

Here’s the only real catch: it’s still alcohol, after wine and lunch. If you’re a moderate sipper, take a smaller approach to the beer paddle. The goal is to enjoy the flavors, not outlast the schedule.

Arthurs Seat at Murrays Lookout plus the Bathing Boxes

Once the tastings are done, the tour leans into views. Arthurs Seat gets you about 30 minutes at Murrays Lookout, with panoramic views across the bay toward the city. This is a great payoff moment because it gives your day a visual summary: you’re looking back over the water route you just took.

Next, you’ll see the Bathing Boxes on the Mornington Peninsula. These are iconic and instantly recognizable, and the stop is about 30 minutes—enough time to take photos and then move on without feeling trapped.

This combination works well because it anchors your taste day in place. You stop for what the region is visually known for, not just what’s poured into your glass.

Price and value: what you get for $157.08

At $157.08 per person, the value comes from what’s included. You’re not paying for a cheap bus ride with optional extras.

You get:

• Lunch at a vineyard restaurant at Jack Rabbit
• Wine tasting at Scotchmans Hill
• A glass of wine at Jack Rabbit
• Beer tasting at St Andrews Beach Brewery
• The Port Phillip Bay cruise (including Devonshire tea)
• Pickup and drop-off from central Melbourne
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• All fees and taxes (so fewer surprises)

When you tally those pieces, the cost starts making sense. The cruise and multiple tastings are the big ticket items you’d struggle to recreate cheaply if you went DIY, especially with wineries and a brewery on both sides of the bay.

This tour also stays small, capped at 21 travelers. That matters for comfort and for getting a bit more personal attention from the guide.

Tour flow, guides, and what to expect day-of

The day starts at 8:30 am and runs about 10 hours. You’ll be on the go, but the stops are long enough to feel real: about 30 minutes at waterfront and lookouts, 45 minutes at the cruise and brewery, and an hour for lunch.

Guides are a major part of the experience quality. You may meet someone like Gary, who’s been praised for being enthusiastic and well organized, or Margaret, noted for making people feel comfortable and relaxed. Other guides like Brooke and Kyle have also been called out for friendliness and clear explanations.

If you want the best experience with any group tour, do this: ask one question at each tasting stop that connects the food and drink. It keeps the day from feeling like you’re just tasting and moving on.

Practical tips to make the day smoother

You’ll get the most enjoyment if you come prepared for a full day of sitting, walking, and tasting. Here are the practical things that fit this specific schedule.

• Eat a real breakfast. Snacks aren’t included on the tour, and you’re likely to go a while between morning and lunch.
• Wear comfortable shoes for the waterfront walk and viewpoint areas.
• Keep your pace steady. You’re tasting wine, then having lunch, then tasting beer. If you try to power through everything, you’ll feel it later.
• Bring sunglasses. The bay time and lookout stops can be bright.
• Plan for changing weather. The tour depends on good weather, so if it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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

I think you should book this tour if you want a well-run sampler of the Mornington and Bellarine regions without doing the planning math. It’s especially good for:

• First-timers to Port Phillip Bay that want both sides covered in one day
• People who like a mix of wine + beer + a proper lunch
• Anyone who values sightseeing breaks built into the itinerary, like Murrays Lookout and the Bathing Boxes
• Groups who prefer a small tour (max 21) with pickup and drop-off

I’d think twice if you mainly want a winery-only day, or if you already know you’re not interested in beer tastings. The brewery stop is part of the core design, and one past feedback point was that a different winery could replace it for some preferences.

If your goal is a scenic, food-forward day with multiple tastings and a ferry cruise that feels like an actual highlight, this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for approximately 10 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $157.08 per person.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 8:30 am.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

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

What tastings and drinks are included?

You get a wine tasting at Scotchmans Hill, a glass of wine at Jack Rabbit, and a beer paddle tasting at St Andrews Beach Brewery. Lunch is also included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included at Jack Rabbit Vineyard.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 21 travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Are snacks included?

No. Snacks are not included.

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