Victoria’s coastline offers a stunning tapestry of landscapes, history, and culture just waiting to be explored. While many are drawn to the dramatic cliffs and famous landmarks of the Great Ocean Road and its accompanying Great Ocean Walk hiking trail, don’t overlook the charm and historical depth found on your journey here from Melbourne, particularly in the picturesque townships of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.
Combining a visit to the Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale Artists’ Walk Memory Markers, with an adventure on the Great Ocean Walk, creates a truly unique and insightful Victorian journey. Before we share the highlights and attractions of the Great Ocean Road region and its surrounds, remember if you need any advice on planning your Great Ocean Walk trail adventure, just get in touch. You can choose to explore this magnificent walk in 3 Days to 10 Days depending on your time constraints and fitness levels, so there is a perfect walk Great Ocean Walk itinerary available to suit everyone!
Discovering History and Art on the Bellarine Peninsula
In Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale, you can embark on the Artists’ Walk, a series of information boards that highlight the works of celebrated artists and photographers who have captured the local landscape. These boards are strategically placed, predominantly in parks and beachfront areas, offering fabulous views of Port Phillip Bay, The Rip, Point Nepean, and Bass Strait. The original copies of many of these works are housed in collections at the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Library of Australia in Canberra, Geelong Gallery, Queenscliffe Historical Museum, and private collections.
The Memory Markers
As you explore, you’ll also encounter ‘Memory Markers’, which are described as snapshots capturing memories and stories of places visited and occasions shared. The essence of these memory markers is the camera, and the development of European settlement in the Borough of Queenscliffe parallels the developments of the camera and photography.
Much of this development has been recorded on film and can be found in the collections of the local museums. The Queenscliffe Historical Museum holds a wealth of items illustrating and documenting the history of the townships of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale back to the earliest European settlement, including thousands of photographs, archives (records, maps, newspapers), and artefacts.
The tales of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale and its art scene
Walking around Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale allows you to delve into the region’s rich history, which includes tales of pilots, lifeboats, customs, fishermen, lighthouses, defence, and tourism. You can see points of interest such as the Queenscliff Lighthouse (also known as the Black Lighthouse), the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse precinct offering up-close encounters with The Rip, the harbour area which still shows remnants of the once thriving fishing industry and the historic buildings throughout the townships.
The arts scene in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale is a blend of contemporary and traditional styles, with local galleries showcasing works from various artists. You can trace local cultural history through the museums, finding photographs and memorabilia of the buildings, events, people, and landscapes that have inspired artists and photographers.
Explore by car or on foot?
While a car might be helpful to visit all the boards and sites in the area, sections of the Artists’ Walk can be covered on foot, including walks like the Bellarine Rail Trail which follows the foreshore of Swan Bay. This exploration offers a blend of contemporary and traditional art alongside local cultural history.
Short Walks around Queenscliffe
Firstly, to help visitors differentiate between the two, Queenscliff spelt without an ‘e’ on the end is the name of the town, and Queenscliffe spelt with an ‘e’ on the end is the name of the whole Queenscliffe Borough which includes Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.
For short walks in and around the area:
Point Lonsdale Promenade – popular with walkers, runners and bike riders, this trail follows the shoreline of Lonsdale Bay, with numerous beach access points | distance 2.3km | surface is wide bitumen and crushed gravel pathway | grading flat surface suitable for all abilities.
Point Lonsdale Coastal Trail
Explore the Coastal Moonah Woodland extending from the Point Lonsdale Village past the Rip View Car Park and around the iconic Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. The trail winds along the cliff top with stunning views of The Rip and Bass Strait, with clear views of the passing parade of ships through Port Phillip Heads. Tip: It can get a little windy, so extra layers might be a good idea!
Distance approx. 1.3km | surface crushed gravel grade| Gradual climb from Village to Lighthouse then follows the cliff top.
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Precinct
Under the impressive shadow of the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse, this is a close-up encounter with The Rip.
There is a step walking path to the base of the lighthouse with wonderful views around the southern coastline.
Ocean View Lookout
Walking to the end of Hesse Street you will get the first clear view of the ocean and this is a great place to get a close-up view of the ships entering and leaving Port Phillip.
Lovers walk
Lovers Walk meanders through the Coastal Moonah Woodland along the top of the Santa Casa, Narrows and Springs beaches. The track is quite narrow in parts and very sandy underfoot, so you’ll need to watch your step. There are lots of spots to view and access the beach and numerous places to start, finish and access Lovers Walk. They include the Ocean View Car Park near the Queenscliff Lighthouse; Henry Street; Fraser Street; and the Narrows Beach car park. As well as beautiful soft stretches of sand you’ll see stunning native flora and local wildlife. Our tip: Insect repellent is recommended.
Lovers Walk distance approx. 3.2km | surface sandy and uneven | grade undulating along a single track linking up with the Point Lonsdale Promenade at Narrows Beach.
Shortlands Bluff
At the end of Thwaites Walk pass under the Black Lighthouse and stroll past the Fort walls into King Street and the entrance to Fort Queenscliff. Tip: Check the tour times first and note that entry fees apply.
Bellarine Rail Trail
The Bellarine Rail Trail extends from Queenscliff to South Geelong. The section through Queenscliff follows the foreshore of Swan Bay which is an internationally significant wetland. Swan Bay is home to thousands of migratory birds, diverse marine life and extensive native coastal vegetation.
Deviate at the pedestrian lights to connect to the Point Lonsdale Promenade. It’s 5.5km from the Queenscliff Railway Station. Approx distance is 6 km to Portarlington Road or 5.5km to Point Londsdale surface | Wide bitumen and crushed gravel pathway | grade mainly flat with a few small rises to Point Lonsdale Village.
Queenscliff Harbour
Walk from the end of Bridge Street amongst the remnants of the old fishing industry to the edge of the cut and along the promenade of the harbour precinct. Tip: This is a short stroll but lovely on a warm summer’s evening.
Ferru to Pier Trail
The beautiful Ferry to Pier Trail meanders through the coastal foreshore reserve linking the Ferry Terminal and Queenscliff Harbour with the Queenscliff Pier and Princess Park.
Thwaites walk
From the Queenscliff Pier via Princess Park and Tobin Drive car park, stroll up along the Queenscliff Beach cliff top for stunning views across Port Phillip Bay to Point Nepean and the Mornington Peninsula.
Must-See Attractions
In Queenscliff:
Fort Queenscliff Museum: Explore Victoria’s premier coastal fortress, featuring exhibits on military history and coastal defence.
Queenscliff Harbour: A vibrant precinct offering boutique shopping, dining, and scenic views.
Bellarine Railway: Experience a historic steam train ride, offering a nostalgic journey through the region.
In Point Lonsdale:
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve: Discover historic gun emplacements and enjoy coastal walks with stunning views.
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse: Climb to the top for panoramic views of the coastline and Port Phillip Bay.
Point Lonsdale Pier: A popular spot for fishing, walking, and watching the sunset.
Dining Delights in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale
Queenscliff:
Tarra Restaurant: Tarra offers a contemporary menu under the guidance of MasterChef alumnus Michael Demagistris. Located at the historic old ferry terminal, expect dishes like kangaroo tartare tartlets and su mai dumplings, all at affordable prices.
Saltbush Fine Foods: A favourite choice for locally made coffee and cake, located at the corner of Hesse and Hobson Streets.
Nelly’s at the Pier: If you are looking for excellent afternoon teas and light meals with a great view to watch the ships entering Port Phillip Bay, this iconic café on the foreshore is the perfect choice.
Rip View Bistro: The Queenscliff Bowling Club bistro offers classic Australian pub meals with views facing Drapers Reef and Shortland Bluff.
Point Lonsdale:
Noble Rot Wine Bar: For a seasonal local menu and a cozy spot to eat, offering over 250 local and imported wines, this wine bar ticks all the boxes!
La Provence de Mer: This charming French bistro located within the Point Lonsdale Guesthouse is well known by locals for its elegant dining experience.
Pasquini’s Deli: Perfect if you are short on time, this deli offers a great selection of gourmet sandwiches and local delicacies.
Connecting the Artists’ Walk with the Great Ocean Walk
After immersing yourself in the rich history and art of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale, continue your adventure with the Great Ocean Walk. This 104-kilometer trail offers breathtaking views of the rugged coastline, lush rainforests, and diverse wildlife. To enhance your experience, consider a 3 Day Great Ocean Walk Tour with us at Walk91, a local, family-owned business offering tailored walking tours with comfortable accommodations, bag transfers, and expert guidance. And remember, you don’t have to do it all! Just choose to walk a couple of shorter sections of the Great Ocean Walk trail if this suits you better.
Art and animals on Great Ocean Road and the Great Ocean Walk
The Great Ocean Walk and the Great Ocean Road (or the Great Ocean Road Walk as it is often referred to) offer opportunities to see native Australian wildlife such as koalas (especially around Cape Otway), kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, Australian fur seals, various birds (cockatoos, rosellas, eagles, magpies), and if you’re lucky, platypuses, Tiger Quolls, or Potoroos. And, if you are an artist yourself, there are so many wonderful spots to stop, paint or take some amazing photographs of these wonderful creatures in their natural environment.
If you would like to walk the Great Ocean Walk trail, but allocate some extra time to paint or take photos, feel free to contact us at Walk91 and we can tailor-make the perfect walking itinerary for you.
Whether you want to hike the whole 104km or focus on shorter sections like the “Mild Side” (approx. 50km, Apollo Bay to Castle Cove including the Cape Otway Lighthouse area) or the “Wild Side” (approx. 58km, Castle Cove/Aire River to the Twelve Apostles area), Walk91 can custom-make a walk to suit your fitness levels, schedule, and interests. We cater to different fitness levels, but you typically just need a medium level of fitness for most sections and no experience is required.
If you need help organising your trip, Walk91 organise comfortable accommodation in local cabins, cottages, B&Bs, or similar 3.5/4-star motels, handle bag transfers so you only need to carry a day pack, and provide transport including shuttles to and from trail sections and back to Apollo Bay or Port Campbell. We also offer catering options, from self-catered packages (where we transfer your food) to fully catered packages including breakfast, pack lunches, and dinners.
And don’t worry, Walk91 prioritises your safety and provides valuable local expertise with a personal walk briefing on arrival, offering insights, tips, and updates on trail conditions, tides, and swell.
For safety, we equip you with a detailed map, walking notes, a personal safety beacon (EPIRB), and a mobile phone if needed. We use a reliable texting system to monitor your progress, predicting and arranging pick-up times to suit you, whether you’re walking solo or with a group.
Your dual-destination trip and tips on the Great Ocean Road Walk Trail
Whether you spend a day or two exploring the arts, history, and coastal views of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale, or combine it with a multi-day trek along the magnificent Great Ocean Walk, this dual-destination trip promises an unforgettable experience that highlights the unique beauty and heritage of Victoria, Australia. With the support, travel tips and local knowledge of businesses like us at Walk91, exploring the rugged beauty of the Great Ocean Walk can be an accessible and worry-free adventure.
Just get in touch and we can help you plan your perfect adventure!
