Much of the region's maritime history and heritage is still
visible in the lighthouses that dominate the landscape at various
points along the road. In Queenscliff the Maritime Museum
celebrates the town's background in the marine industry with
fantastic displays.
Also in Queenscliff, Fort Queenscliff is an interesting look at
a still functioning Australian Defence Force facility that was
initially built on the cliff overlooking the Rip to protect ships
during the gold rush of the 1800's.
Torquay's position as the capital of the international surf
industry makes the local museum 'Surfworld' ideally placed to
deliver a historic look at the origins of surfing and the
phenomenon it has become.
Geelong grew on the back of the sheep, and the 1800's bluestone
building in the centre of town that now houses the National Wool
Museum was initially a woolstore facility. The wool industry
in Geelong was built around the need for wool grown in the
surrounding districts to be processed and shipped internationally
from the docks on Corio Bay. Also in Geelong, the Ford
Discovery Centre is an interactive museum profiling the history of
Ford in Geelong as well as giving a behind the scenes look at the
design, engineering and manufacturing processes in the automobile
industry.
Across the broader region, there are several National Trust
properties open to the public that give an indication of early life
in the region. There are also a range of interpretive
historic sites, such as the old mill site at Triplet Falls and
guided heritage walks in towns such as Queenscliff.
Historic means of transport in the region have been preserved by
the Bellarine Railway, with their steam hauled engines still
running on weekends and holidays and also powering The Blues Train
- a moving, progressive concert on board.