This is one of the better ways to see the bay without building a spreadsheet. You get wine, beer, and food in scenic spots across both the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas, plus a Port Phillip Bay ferry cruise for real-time views. I love how the day mixes tasting time with sightseeing, not just a parade of stops. I also like that lunch is part of the plan, not an afterthought. One thing to consider: it is a full 10-hour day, and there is a beer tasting stop that some wine-only folks might skip if they could.

I also like the group size, since the tour caps at 21 travelers, so it feels friendly rather than chaotic. Pickup and drop-off from central Melbourne makes it easy if you do not want to coordinate cars. If you prefer a faster, more winery-heavy rhythm, you may find the mix slightly less focused.

Key Things I’d Bookmark Before You Go

• Two peninsulas, one day plan: Bellarine wine country plus Mornington Peninsula icons, all without driving yourself
• Real tastings, not samples: wine at Scotchmans Hill, a wine pour at Jack Rabbit, and a beer paddle at St Andrews Beach Brewery
• A ferry that actually matters: Queenscliff sailing with Devonshire tea, plus a chance to spot dolphins
• Lookouts and famous photo stops: Murrays Lookout views across to the city, then the Bathing Boxes at the coast
• Small-enough groups: maximum 21 travelers, with time to enjoy stops instead of rushing through them
• All the core costs included: lunch, tastings, and fees are covered, so you can budget without guessing

Why This Around-the-Bay Route Makes Sense From Melbourne

This tour works because it stitches together three things people usually struggle to combine: great food and drink, coastal scenery, and the convenience of not driving. Starting from Melbourne and ending back there, you are essentially renting a day of logistics in exchange for a packed but organized schedule.

The big idea is to cover both sides of Port Phillip Bay in one go. You start on the Geelong waterfront, move into Bellarine Peninsula wineries and lunch, then cross by ferry from Queenscliff, and finish on the Mornington Peninsula with sea views and the Bathing Boxes. It is a smart way to compare styles across regions without bouncing between hotels or managing separate day trips.

The pacing is also built for sanity. The stops are short enough that you keep moving, but long enough to taste, walk a bit, and take in views. And because it is an air-conditioned vehicle day, you have somewhere comfortable to cool down between tasting moments.

Geelong Waterfront Start: Fresh Air and an Easy First Walk

The day begins at the Geelong Waterfront. You get about 30 minutes to walk along the esplanade. This is not the most glamorous part of the trip, but it is a good one to start with because it helps you shift into vacation mode fast. You arrive, stretch your legs, and breathe in sea air before the food and drink starts stacking up.

This first stop is also a nice buffer. The tour is long, about 10 hours, and getting a simple, low-pressure walk early means you are not starting the day already feeling rushed.

If you want to photograph the waterfront, do it early. Light tends to be forgiving in the morning, and you avoid the chance of later crowds at photo spots.

Scotchmans Hill Winery: A Bellarine Tasting With Big Estate Views

Next up is Scotchmans Hill Winery on the Bellarine Peninsula. You get around 30 minutes here for a wine tasting in a French provincial barnhouse setting, positioned among vineyards with impressive views.

This stop is where the day becomes clearly a tasting tour, not just a scenic day out. The tasting is included, and you are set up to sample the kind of wines the Bellarine is known for, while also appreciating the setting. The barnhouse vibe matters because it feels like you are in a working wine estate rather than a store-front tasting room.

What I like about a 30-minute tasting time is that it gives you enough to taste and learn without turning into a lecture marathon. You can ask questions, pick favorites, and then move on before the rest of the day becomes a blur.

Practical tip: if you have a favorite wine style, tell your host early so you can spend more of your tasting energy on what you actually want.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard Lunch: Views Plus a Wine Pour

Then you shift from tasting mode to lunch. At Jack Rabbit Vineyard, you get about 1 hour at the Jack Rabbit Café, famous for views and for being a place that locals do not rush to leave.

Lunch is included, and there is a glass of wine as part of the experience. That combination is a win because it keeps you fueled for the ferry and the brewery later. It also means you are not trying to find food in the middle of a tour day where time is tight.

This is one of the stops that stands out in the experience because it is not just food on a schedule. It is a location that people actually enjoy, which makes the break feel like a real reset rather than a forced pause.

If you are curious, pay attention to what is offered on the day you go. The idea here is seasonal dishes and local flavor, and you will taste the region through both the meal and the wine.

Crossing Port Phillip Bay on Searoad Ferries From Queenscliff

After lunch, the tour takes you to Searoad Ferries in Queenscliff for a cruise on Port Phillip Bay. The sailing is about 45 minutes, and Devonshire tea is included. You also have a chance to spot dolphins, so keep your eyes up when you are near the water.

This ferry part matters more than it sounds. A cruise gives you a moving viewpoint, not just static photos. From the water, you see the bay’s scale, the coastline shapes, and the way the peninsulas relate to Melbourne across the water.

Devonshire tea is also a smart inclusion for a day like this. It is a small food moment that helps you stay comfortable between stops, especially since snacks are not listed as included elsewhere.

If the weather is clear, this is often when the whole day clicks. You get the best mix of relaxation and sightseeing, with time to actually enjoy the ride.

St Andrews Beach Brewery: The Beer Paddle in a Former Horse Facility

Next is St Andrews Beach Brewery on the Mornington Peninsula side. You spend about 45 minutes here, and the highlight is a beer paddle tasting with the chance to watch the brewers.

One reason this stop earns repeat praise is the setting. The brewery is in a converted stable and originally served as a world-class horse training facility. That gives the tasting room character, and it makes the beer stop feel like an experience, not a quick detour.

Is it for everyone? Not necessarily. There is at least one clear caution from a previous viewpoint: if you are a wine-first person who wants more winery time, you might wish this could be another winery stop. Still, it is also part of why this tour is different from a straight wine circuit. You get the Mornington craft beer story, which complements the wine tastings earlier.

My practical advice: if beer is not your thing, approach it like a curiosity stop. Try one or two styles and focus on what you like, then treat the rest as a bonus. The day is still anchored by scenic Bay views and included food.

Arthurs Seat and Murrays Lookout: Bay Views Back Toward the City

After the brewery, the tour heads to Arthurs Seat for panoramic views from Murrays Lookout, roughly 30 minutes. This is your classic “pause and take it all in” moment, looking across the bay toward the city.

This stop has value because it ties the day together visually. After crossing Port Phillip Bay by ferry, you finally get the wide-angle view that explains how all those coastlines connect. It turns the route from a series of locations into one big picture.

If you want the best photos, aim to position yourself toward a clear viewing angle rather than letting everyone crowd one spot. And yes, bring a layer if it is windy. Lookouts can feel cooler than the road.

Bathing Boxes Mornington Peninsula: The Iconic Coast Stop

Finally, the tour includes Bathing Boxes on the Mornington Peninsula, about 30 minutes. These are iconic seaside huts and a symbol of summer in the area. The tour frames them as a simple but recognizable piece of the region’s character, the kind of photo stop that anchors a coastal day.

This is the kind of ending that feels satisfying because you get something very “place-specific.” It is easy to remember and easy to photograph, and it gives the day a clear finish line at the water.

If you are the type who likes collecting a few strong photos rather than many average ones, spend your time here choosing your angle and getting one or two good shots.

Price and Value: What $157.08 Buys You in the Real World

At $157.08 per person, this is not a budget-only experience. It is also not priced like a private driver and guide day. The value comes from what is bundled into the ticket, which is where these kinds of tours live or die.

You are getting:

• Pickup and drop-off from central Melbourne
• Air-conditioned vehicle for a full day
• Lunch at a vineyard restaurant
• Multiple included tastings: wine at Scotchmans Hill, a glass of wine with lunch at Jack Rabbit, and a beer paddle at St Andrews Beach Brewery
• Port Phillip Bay ferry from Queenscliff, including Devonshire tea
• All fees and taxes

When you tally those elements, the ticket starts to look practical. The biggest cost that often eats up self-planned days is transport plus the time-consuming parts, like the ferry and booked tastings. Here, it is handled for you.

One more value note: the tour runs with a maximum of 21 travelers. That size usually helps keep the experience from turning into a rush job. You have enough time at stops to taste and see without feeling constantly herded.

The only true “cost” is effort. It is a full day. You will be drinking tastings, even if you pace yourself, so you should plan to take it slow and avoid any extra evening commitments.

Guides, Timing, and the Pace That Keeps It Fun

The quality of the day often comes down to the guide. In previous experiences, the tour has been praised for enthusiastic, friendly guides who made people feel comfortable and helped the day run smoothly. Names that came up include Gary, Margaret, Kyle, and Brooke. That points to a consistent strength: the guides tend to bring energy and local knowledge without making the day stiff.

Timing also matters. The start time is 8:30 am, and the tour is about 10 hours. That means you should treat it like a structured full-day activity. You will want to eat before pickup if you can, since snacks are not listed as included beyond lunch and Devonshire tea.

Small-group tours also benefit from the kind of pacing you see here. Stops like Geelong and Bathing Boxes are timed to keep you moving. Stops like Jack Rabbit and the brewery allow you to actually enjoy the setting and not just check boxes.

Who Should Book This Tour

I think this tour fits best if you want:

• Food and drink variety across two peninsulas, not just one type of tasting
• A ready-made plan that includes ferry time and key viewing points
• A full day that is scenic but also genuinely social, with a small enough group to feel relaxed

It is likely ideal for couples and small friend groups who want to share tastings and photos without managing transport. If you are a wine connoisseur, you still get meaningful wine time at Scotchmans Hill and a wine pour at lunch. If you are a craft beer fan, the St Andrews Beach Brewery stop is a solid match because it is a full beer paddle, not a token taste.

If you are someone who wants only wineries, you may feel the beer stop dilutes your preferred focus. Still, the tour’s mix is part of the charm, especially if you like trying a few styles and then comparing what you like.

Should You Book Around the Bay Food and Wine Taste Trail?

I would book it if you want a well-paced day that covers both sides of Port Phillip Bay without the stress of planning. The included lunch plus multiple tastings plus the ferry cruise is the big reason it feels like a smart buy, and the later viewpoints at Murrays Lookout and the Bathing Boxes make it memorable beyond the food and drink.

I would not book it if you are allergic to alcohol tastings or you strongly dislike beer. I also would pass if you hate long days. This is a 10-hour commitment, and the value depends on you enjoying the full loop.

If you are okay with that, it is a great way to see Mornington and Bellarine in one go, with enough variety that you will likely find at least a couple new favorites.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 am.

How long does the tour take?

The duration is approximately 10 hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included at Jack Rabbit Vineyard (Jack Rabbit Café).

What alcohol tastings are included?

You get wine tasting at Scotchmans Hill Winery, a glass of wine at Jack Rabbit, and a beer tasting at St Andrews Beach Brewery.

Is there a ferry cruise during the tour?

Yes. You sail with Searoad Ferries from Queenscliff for about 45 minutes on Port Phillip Bay, and Devonshire tea is included.

Do I get pickup and drop-off?

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

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 21 travelers.

Is the ticket digital?

Yes. The tour uses a mobile ticket.

Are snacks included?

Snacks are not listed as included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Is cancellation free?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.