A day across the bay
Queenscliff is about 45 minutes from Holyday House in north Torquay. Head east across the Bellarine past Connewarre and Ocean Grove (no need to go into Geelong), and you arrive at a small town with an old main street, a harbour and a working ferry terminal. From there, Searoad Ferries crosses Port Phillip Bay to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula. For a Torquay stay that includes the ferry, our Melbourne weekend plan has a few ways to shape the trip.
There are two ways to make a day of it. If you're already staying in Torquay, take the car across, wander Sorrento for a while, then catch a return sailing. Or, if you're coming from Melbourne's south-east or the peninsula, the ferry lets you reach Torquay without driving around through the city. Give the crossing its own time in the plan: it takes about 40 minutes each way, and Point Lonsdale is an easy extra stop beside Queenscliff.
The ferry: times, tickets and fares
The Searoad car and passenger ferry runs between Queenscliff and Sorrento. The crossing takes about 40 minutes. Sailings are usually hourly, every day of the year. During Searoad's annual maintenance period, Tuesday to Thursday sailings drop to every two hours, so look at the live timetable if you're crossing midweek. The ferry carries cars, bikes and foot passengers, so you can take the vehicle across or leave it in Queenscliff and walk aboard.
You can buy a ticket online or at either terminal. Searoad asks drivers to check in at least 40 minutes before departure and foot passengers 20 minutes before. The fare depends on the travel date, vehicle size and passenger mix; the driver is included in the vehicle fare, with extra passengers selected separately. Use Searoad's fare calculator and live timetable before travelling, as both fares and departures can change.
Taking the ferry from Sorrento is a handy route from Melbourne's south-east: drive to the peninsula terminal, cross to Queenscliff, then continue over the Bellarine and west to Torquay. If you're travelling without a car, Searoad allows foot passengers. A bus from Queenscliff connects with trains at Geelong, with another bus for Torquay; our no-car guide lays out those connections.
Queenscliff on foot
Park once and take a wander. Hesse Street is the town's main strip, lined with cafes, small shops and galleries in old shopfronts. It's an easy place to pause for coffee before a walk down to the harbour. The harbour boardwalk sits beside the ferry terminal, with boats in the marina and places to eat looking out over the water.
The town is compact, so the main street, harbour and nearby foreshore fit together without much planning. We like the contrast: one minute you're looking at the old shopfronts, the next you're by the working waterfront watching the ferries come and go. If you're taking a sailing later, keep one eye on the clock and make your way back to the terminal with time to spare.
Fort Queenscliff
The fort is an active Defence site and entry is by guided tour. As listed on 17 October 2026, public tours run at 11am on Mondays and Fridays, and at 11am and 1:45pm on weekends. Adult admission is $25, children are $10, and family tickets are $55. Walk-up tickets are listed, as well as online booking. Bring accepted photo ID for every adult; a photo of an ID won't do. Check current tour times and entry requirements before you go.
The Bellarine Railway
The heritage train leaves from the old Queenscliff station for a short trip alongside Swan Bay. The Swan Bay Express runs on selected dates rather than as a daily service, with extra themed trains on the calendar through the year. If the railway is the main event, look up the current running days and book the service that suits your visit.
Point Lonsdale: the lighthouse, pier and Rip View
Point Lonsdale is next door to Queenscliff, around the edge of the peninsula. Start at the village end of the coastal trail and follow it past Rip View towards the lighthouse. The Borough lists the route at about 1.3 kilometres, on a gravel path with a gradual rise from the village. It gives you a good look over The Rip and Bass Strait, then you can walk back the way you came or continue around the reserve.
The Point Lonsdale lighthouse is still a working navigation light. The Queenscliffe Maritime Museum runs public tours inside it, so check its tour calendar if you want to go up rather than just see the building from the path. The pier is another good place to stand and watch the ships coming through the Heads. The water narrows here and the tidal streams through The Rip are strong, so enjoy that view from the shore.
For a beach stop, Point Lonsdale Front Beach is beside the village shops and cafes, with toilets and a play area nearby. It's a sheltered bay beach. The Borough says it isn't patrolled in summer, so choose a patrolled beach if you want a flagged swim.
Across the bay to Sorrento
From Queenscliff, the ferry lands you at Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula. Take the car if you'd like to explore beyond the main town; on foot, make a simple trip of the crossing and a relaxed wander before the return sailing. The main street is an easy place for lunch and a browse, and the ferry gives you a different view of both coastlines on the way back.
This makes a longer day than staying in Queenscliff alone: allow for the drive from Torquay, the two crossings and the time you want ashore in Sorrento. If you'd rather keep the day local, skip the ferry and spend longer between Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale. There's enough coastline here for a good walk and a late lunch without watching a departure board.
Queenscliff and Sorrento FAQ
Is there a ferry from Queenscliff to Torquay?
No. The ferry from Queenscliff crosses the bay to Sorrento. Between Queenscliff and Torquay you drive, about 45 minutes across the Bellarine, with no need to go through Geelong.
How long is the ferry crossing?
Searoad lists the crossing at about 40 minutes. Allow extra time for check-in and getting on and off.
How often does the ferry run?
The usual service is hourly, with a reduced timetable during maintenance. The live timetable shows the departures for your date.
Can I take a car on the ferry?
Yes. Searoad carries vehicles, bikes and foot passengers between Queenscliff and Sorrento.
Can I travel without a car?
Yes. Foot passengers can take the ferry. From Queenscliff, Route 56 connects towards Geelong, where buses run on to Torquay.
Are Fort Queenscliff tours running?
The fort currently lists guided public tours on Mondays, Fridays and weekends. Adult admission is listed at $25, with children and family tickets also available.
Does the Bellarine Railway run every day?
No. Heritage services run on selected dates. The railway publishes its running days and tickets on its website.
Make a trip of it
Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale are an easy change of scene from Torquay, and the ferry makes the bay part of the day. For more local planning, see our guide to getting to Torquay without a car, our Lonsdale Links guide, or the Melbourne weekend guide. If you'd like to stay in Torquay and explore the Bellarine, check dates and send us an enquiry.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 17 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Fares — Searoad Ferries
- Timetable — Searoad Ferries
- Car passengers — Searoad Ferries
- Fort Queenscliff — Fort Queenscliff
- Heritage Train Rides — Bellarine Railway
- Point Lonsdale Coastal Trail — Borough of Queenscliffe
- Point Lonsdale Front Beach — Borough of Queenscliffe
- Point Lonsdale Lighthouse — Ports Victoria
- About Queenscliff — Queenscliff Visitor Information