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Museums, History and Heritage

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Museums, History and Heritage

  • Other Experiences

What can't you do?  That would be a shorter list.  There are attractions, activities, events and features throughout the region to suit all ages and interest groups.  From theme parks for children to adventure sports for adrenaline junkies.  From gourmet food and wine experiences to bushwalking through campsites.  From a simple dip in the ocean to a luxurious spa retreat.  There really is something for everyone.

Things to See & Do

Museums, History and Heritage

Queenscliff Heritage Walk
Queenscliff

Queenscliff Heritage Walk

Stroll the beautiful Heritage town of Queenscliff and enjoy afternoon tea at one of Queenscliff’s grand old buildings to finish. Guided walks run 2.00pm every Saturday and take approximately one and a quarter hours. Group walks available at other times by appointment. Check with the Visitor Information Centre for availability and prices. Bookings essential – Phone the Queenscliffe Visitor Information Centre 5258 4843 or call in to the Centre 55 Hesse Street Queenscliff. A self guided booklet, “Queenscliff – A Living Heritage.” Is also available for sale from the Queenscliffe Visitor Information Centre. This short self guided walk will take approximately 45 minutes and take you past a few of the town’s historic buildings.
National Wool Museum
Geelong

National Wool Museum

The National Wool Museum is housed in a beautifully restored 1872 bluestone wool store close to the vibrant new Waterfront Geelong. The Museum is Australia's largest comprehensive museum of wool, showcasing the region's wool story - from the sheep's back to the clothes rack, and from the birth of the industry in the 1840's to its place in the world today. Central to the Museum experience is the 1910 built Axminster Jacquard carpet loom. Daily demonstrations by the Museum's skilled carpet weavers show how the loom works, and at the same time produce the Museum's own "Manor House Rug", available for purchase through the Museum Shop. The Museum has two permanent galleries telling the Australian story of wool. The first, "The Wool Harvest", looks at sheep farming and wool production. Exploring the pastoral aspect of wool in Australia, visitors can follow the path of the fleece through shearing, classing, wool pressing and dispatch. A recreated shearing shed and a film about shearing demonstrate what life in the shearing industry was like. Shearing demonstrations can be arranged for group bookings. Gallery Two, "From Fleece to Fabric", looks at the processing of wool into fabric and offers an insight into the people and processes involved in the textile industry. A sequential display of the machinery actually used in the process demonstrates the transformation of fleece to fabric. The Museum also has an exciting annual calendar of temporary exhibitions and events. On the Ground Floor, the Museum Shop stocks a wide range of woollen products and unique local crafts while Black Sheep Cafe & Restaurant offers great food, wines, coffee and cakes. The Museum is fully wheel chair accessible and there are accessible parking spaces located directly in front of the Museum. Bus parking and group tours are also available.
Surf World Museum
Torquay

Surf World Museum

The Surf World Museum in Torquay, Australia’s surfing capital, celebrates the story of surfing. It also charts Australia’s significant contribution to the development of surfing around the world. Through the colourful and exciting permanent displays and temporary exhibitions of important surfing artefacts and memorabilia, the museum commemorates Australia’s fantastic surfing heritage and rich beach culture. An unforgettable experience, Surf World provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in one of Australia’s most popular pastimes. It’s a place where you can experience or relive, surfing’s sense of fun, and marvel at the changes that have taken place over the years. We look forward to welcoming you.

Family Activities

Bellarine Railway
Queenscliff

Bellarine Railway

The Bellarine Railway traverses Victoria's beautiful Bellarine Peninsula near Geelong, between the historic coastal town of Queenscliff and the hinterland village of Drysdale. The railway hugs the water around scenic Swan Bay providing breathtaking views, before climbing through the rolling hills of the Bellarine Peninsula to Drysdale. Australia's unique railway experience.
Queenscliffe Historical Museum
Queenscliff

Queenscliffe Historical Museum

The Queenscliffe Historical Museum is situated in Hesse Street between the Post-Office and Library, in the township of Queenscliff. Opened in 1974, specifically to house socially historical materials peculiar to the Borough of Queenscliffe (which includes Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and Swan Island) the museum is home to many thousands of items including photographs, documents, paintings, newspapers and toys, just to mention a few. There is also a display of shipwreck relics recognised by Heritage Victoria. From 1838 the maritime history began with services offered by pilots such as George Tobin, and lighthouse keepers and signal masters such as Captain John Preston at Point Lonsdale. The story of the Borough of Queenscliffe is displayed through a representative selection from the Museum's collections of personal memorabilia, household artefacts, furniture, maps, photographs, documents and works of art. This rich source of information complements the hundreds of personal documents and diaries that have been donated by descendants of pioneers. Many of the visitors just enjoy looking at the past, but increasingly it has been found that research is often the reason for a visit. Whether you are a local resident checking on family history, local property titles or a student preparing a project, you will not be disappointed with the resources available. When next in Queenscliff pay the Queenscliffe Historical Museum a visit and become immersed in the pioneering days that made the township what it is today.
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Queenscliff

Queenscliffe Maritime Museum

The Queenscliffe Maritime Museum was built in 1986 to display Queenscliff's last Lifeboat. Since then, the Museum has expanded to cover the maritime history of Queenscliff and Southern Port Phillip. This history includes the Bay Steamersd Weeroona, Hygeia, and Ozone. Old post cards of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale, artefacts from shipwrecks, a display of early diving equipment including a divers suit and helmet air compressor and early scuba equipment. The Museum houses a unique hydrographic model of "The Rip" which shows the underwater contours at Port Phillip Heads and the shipping channel, a display which tells the fascinating history of the Port Phillip Sea Pilots and a work boat from the Pilot cutter "Wyuna". An extensive history of Victorian Lighthouses including flashers, lamps globes and intact fresnel lenses are also displayed. On display are artefacts and a history of the Chinese fishermen, the couta fishermen and a restored Fisherman's Cottage. The boat shed contains the history of the early Queenscliff boat builders, couta boats, boatbuilding tools, outboard and early marine motors and an oar making machine. In the Museum grounds you will discover the heritage listed Fishermen's Waiting Shed from the old fisherman's pier which holds the world renowned ship paintings by Henry Zanoni, the deck house from the "Shandon", an iron sailing ship built in 1883. An array of channel markers, buoys and anchors and the hull of the torpedo boat "Lonsdale" are buried in the grounds of the Museum Museum volunteers conduct tours of Point Lonsdale Lighthouse every Sunday morning between 9.30am and 1.00pm at half hourly intervals Price $6.00 - $4.00 (children under 5 years not admitted). Annual Event: Maritime Collectables Swap Meet - first Sunday in December each year.

Theatre, Music and the Arts

The Blues Train
Queenscliff

The Blues Train

Victoria's historic coastal town of Queenscliff is home to the world's one and only Blues Train. It is a unique experience that combines four of Australia's best live acts and the beautiful scenery of the Bellarine Peninsula on the Drysdale Railway line while aboard a real moving vintage steam train. It is one of Australia's most spectacular entertainment experiences - it is a mini festival in one night and a progressive party you'll never forget. Nothing captures the spirit of the blues quite like a steam train. Listening to the train whistle and the clickety-clack on the tracks you can imagine the old blues masters jamming it up on Mississippi freight trains as they were 'ridin' the blinds' around America's deep south. The Blues Train leaves Queenscliff Railway Station after guests have enjoyed a delicious meal complemented by fine Australian and local wines. The steam train then makes its way along 16 kilometres of track, gently rocking from side to side, seemingly in beat with the music. At each of the stops, Suma Park and Drysdale, revellers swap carriages to see another of the acts, so by the end of the night patrons have seen all four acts performing on the train. Drinks are available from the mobile bar that miraculously appears on each platform (from the converted guard's van). You can sit back, relax and listen to the music with a drinking on one of the seated carriages or get up and boogie the blues away in one of the dance carriages. Please visit the website for the different show dates.
 

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Packages & Offers

See, Do, Stay & Save

Welcome to goTravlr, your passport to great deals in Geelong, the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road.

BIG 4 Beacon Resort Blues Train Package

A unique musical experience! Toe tapping entertainment, a cool drink and a good laugh. Rock your stay in Queenscliff with Blues Train tickets and award winning accommodation at BIG4 Beacon Resort.

Seahaven Village - Taste of The Bellarine $495

Relax at stunning Barwon Heads Friday and Saturday night in a cosy 4.5 star one bedroom spa suite.

Barwon Heads Golf Club Winter Escape

$240 per couple per night

Wyndham Resort Torquay Couples Spa Indulge Package

$379 per night (Double or Twin share)

Geelong Riverview Tourist Park Summer Special

15% discount per night

See, Do, Stay & Save

Welcome to goTravlr, your passport to great deals in Geelong, the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road. Accommodation, activities and dining specials are available at up to 66% off.

Visit goTravlr now.
 

BIG 4 Beacon Resort Blues Train Package

A unique musical experience! Toe tapping entertainment, a cool drink and a good laugh. Rock your stay in Queenscliff with Blues Train tickets and award winning accommodation at BIG4 Beacon Resort.

Phone: 1800 351 152 or visit BIG4 Beacon Resort Website for more information.
 

Seahaven Village - Taste of The Bellarine $495

Relax at stunning Barwon Heads Friday and Saturday night in a cosy 4.5 star one bedroom spa suite. Enjoy fabulous bonuses including:

  • A $70 dinner voucher
  • Welcome pack including wine, chocolates and a breakfast basket
Stay between Sunday and Thursday nights and receive THREE nights accommodation for the same price.

T: 03 5254 1066
 

Barwon Heads Golf Club Winter Escape

Embrace the cooler temperatures, avoid the crowds and be warmed by the hospitality and open fires at Barwon Heads Golf Club. Stay on our B&B package to enjoy a fully cooked breakfast, complimentary three-course dinner and golf at our guest green fee rate.

  • Accommodation in a standard room with ensuite at Barwon Heads Golf Club
  • Fully cooked breakfast
  • Three course dinner
  • Golf available at our guest green fee rate

Address: Golf Links Rd, Barwon Heads, Victoria 3227

To book:

Phone: 03 5255 6255
Fax: 03 5255 6266
Website: www.bhgc.com.au
Email: reservations@bhgc.com.au

T&C's: Valid Monday to Thursday inclusive. Dress requirements apply.
 

Wyndham Resort Torquay Couples Spa Indulge Package

Package for two includes:

  • Overnight in a stylish one bedroom apartment
  • Full Buffet Breakfast for two
  • 60 minute Aroma Swedish couples massage in the Day Spa
  • Bottle of sparkling wine on arrival
  • Late checkout of 12 noon
  • Valet car parking

$379 per night (Double or Twin share)

Valid

to 24 March 2013

To book

Phone: 03 5261 1500

 

Geelong Riverview Tourist Park Summer Special

Summer Special Package

  • 15% discount per night when booking a Spa Cabin (2 bedroom) or a Deluxe Spa (1 bedroom).

Valid

1st December 2012 - 28th February 2013
Conditions Apply. Subject to availability. Valid for new bookings only.

To book

Phone: 1800 336 225