Around the Bay Food and Wine Tastings Tour from Melbourne

Geelong’s waterfront, vineyard tastings, a long lunch with bay views, and a ferry ride across Port Phillip Bay make this a day of changing scenery as well as food and drink. You travel from Melbourne through the Bellarine Peninsula and back via the Mornington Peninsula, so the day covers more ground than a standard winery outing.

I like the range of stops: the tour mixes wine, beer, a local lunch, coastal views, and a ferry crossing rather than spending the whole day in tasting rooms. I also like that lunch is planned at Jack Rabbit, where the setting gives you a reason to slow down and enjoy the view.

One point needs checking before you pay: the name mentions a gondola ride, but the detailed schedule describes a ferry crossing and a stop at Murray’s Lookout, not a gondola. If the gondola is the main reason you are considering this trip, confirm that it is included on your date.

At a glance: the best parts of the day

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• Two peninsulas in one outing: Travel through the Bellarine and Mornington regions, with Geelong as an early stop and Port Phillip Bay between them.
• Wine at Scotchmans Hill: Taste cool-climate wines at a Bellarine vineyard. A tasting may include a wide range of reds and whites, with staff introducing each pour.
• Lunch at Jack Rabbit: The meal comes with a glass of wine and is paired with broad bay views. The menu changes with the season and available ingredients.
• A ferry, not just a road transfer: The Queenscliff to Sorrento crossing adds a stretch on the water and views toward Portsea, Sorrento, Point Nepean, and Port Phillip Heads.
• Beer and a high lookout to finish: St Andrews Beach Brewery and Murray’s Lookout at Arthurs Seat round out the afternoon with a change of pace and a wide coastal outlook.

👉 See our pick of the 6 Best Shopping Tours In Mornington Peninsula

A full day linking Geelong and two peninsulas

This is a long, varied day out, with a stated return time of 6:30 pm. Rather than focusing on one town or one winery, the route connects Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, the bay crossing, and the Mornington Peninsula. That range is the tour’s main appeal, but it also means you will spend time moving between stops.

The day begins with pickup in Melbourne. Listed options include Mercure Melbourne Southbank, Regent Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, and Mail Exchange Hotel. Pickup times are seasonal and must be confirmed with the operator, so do not rely on an old schedule. Arrive 15 minutes before your confirmed departure time.

An English-speaking guide accompanies the tour. No guide names are provided, so you cannot request a particular person. A small group is possible: one departure had seven people, which made it easier to move around and returned earlier than expected. Group size can vary, so treat that as a possibility rather than a promise.

Geelong waterfront before the vineyard

Geelong is described as the gateway to the Bellarine wineries, and the tour includes a stroll along its waterfront. It gives you a chance to stretch your legs before settling in for tastings and lunch. The waterfront views were a particular highlight for one small group, and the route’s changing scenery helps the day feel like more than a string of winery visits.

The stop is a brief introduction, not a full city visit. If you want time for museums, shopping, or a longer walk, this itinerary does not appear to leave room for that. Think of Geelong as a scenic pause on the way to the vineyards.

Scotchmans Hill: tasting cool-climate wines

At Scotchmans Hill Vineyard, you sample wines from a Bellarine estate. The tasting is one of the day’s main activities, and the staff explain the wines as you go. One tasting experience included about 15 red and white wines, though the exact selection may change.

That guided format is useful if you are curious about the differences between wines but do not want to study a list on your own. You can taste a broad range and hear a little about each one, while still keeping the visit relaxed. The downside is that a large number of samples can feel like a lot, especially with lunch and another drinks stop still ahead. Pace yourself and drink water when you can.

The venue is described as an old French provincial barnhouse among the vineyards. That gives the tasting a more distinctive setting than a quick bar pour, though the tour’s appeal is as much about the overall day as any single winery. If you are seeking an in-depth cellar-door visit with lots of free time, this itinerary may feel brisk.

Jack Rabbit lunch, with a view across the bay

Lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard is a strong reason to choose this tour. The meal is included, along with a glass of wine, and the cafe is known for its bay views. Seasonal dishes can include options such as mussels or lamb pasta, but the menu changes according to the season and ingredient availability. Do not book expecting a particular dish.

The meal gives the day a welcome pause between the vineyard tasting and the afternoon’s travel. It is also a chance to enjoy local food in a setting that looks out across the water, rather than eating hurriedly between stops. The included lunch and wine add real value to the fare, especially if you would otherwise be paying separately for a sit-down meal.

The schedule also lists afternoon tea on the boat, with scones and tea. However, the stated inclusions specifically name lunch and a glass of wine, wine tastings, and the ferry crossing, but do not clearly list afternoon tea. Confirm whether tea and scones are included on your departure before treating them as part of the package.

Across Port Phillip Bay by ferry

The crossing from Queenscliff to Sorrento is more than a way to get from one peninsula to the other. From the water, the route offers views of the Portsea and Sorrento cliffs, large coastal homes, Point Nepean, and Port Phillip Heads. It breaks up the road travel and gives you a different angle on the region.

The schedule connects the ferry ride with afternoon tea and the chance to spot dolphins. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, so think of dolphin spotting as a possibility, not a promise. The coast and the open-water views are the reliable part of this stretch.

Here is where the tour’s name can cause confusion. The title refers to a gondola ride, but the detailed route describes a ferry crossing, not a gondola. The listed stops also include Murray’s Lookout at Arthurs Seat, which is a scenic viewpoint. Ask the operator directly whether a gondola ride is included on your date, and what happens if it is unavailable. A past departure did not include one, leaving a participant disappointed.

Beer at St Andrews, then the Arthurs Seat lookout

After the ferry, the tour visits St Andrews Beach Brewery for craft beer. The tasting can provide a useful contrast to the earlier wine session. One sample included four different beers, introduced with information on a leaflet. The number and selection may vary, but expect a tasting stop rather than a full brewery tour unless the operator confirms otherwise.

The final scenic stop is Murray’s Lookout at Arthurs Seat. It is described as a panoramic viewpoint, and the high outlook gives the day a fitting finish after hours of vineyards, coastline, and road travel. The timing and conditions matter here: weather and traffic can change the schedule, and the view will be different on a clear day than in poor weather.

There is no need to treat the brewery and lookout as equal-length visits. The tour has several stops to fit into one day, so you may have less time at each than you would on a trip organized around a single winery or beach town. If lingering over tastings is your priority, a shorter regional tour may suit you better.

Price, inclusions, and the practical details

The experience is advertised from $176.99, while the package information also gives a starting price of US$153.89 for the Food and Wine Day Tour. Prices can vary by date and booking currency, so check the final checkout total rather than comparing the two figures as if they were the same currency or offer.

For the price, you get an English-speaking guide, wine tastings, lunch with a glass of wine, and the ferry crossing. That combination is useful: transport between two peninsulas, food, tastings, and a boat journey would take planning and separate payments if you arranged the day yourself. The tour makes the most sense if you value convenience and variety over choosing your own pace at each stop.

Insurance and personal expenses are not included. Participants must be at least 16 years old. Bring sunscreen, warm clothing, and walking shoes. The schedule can change because of weather or traffic, and the operator may cancel in extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances, with the option to reschedule or request a full refund.

This is not a tour to book for one specific wine label, dish, or guaranteed wildlife sighting. The menus and tasting selections can change, and the exact schedule may shift. It is a better fit if you want a broad sampler of the region and are happy to let the guide handle the connections.

Should you book the Around the Bay tour?

I would consider this tour if you want a full day that combines vineyard wine, a proper lunch, a ferry crossing, craft beer, and coastal scenery without arranging separate transport. Its most appealing parts are the variety and the meal at Jack Rabbit, while Geelong’s waterfront and the views across the bay give the route a welcome sense of place.

I would hesitate if you want a slow, wine-focused day, need a guaranteed gondola ride, or prefer to choose every stop yourself. Before booking, confirm the gondola question and whether afternoon tea is included. If those details check out and you are comfortable with a full itinerary, this is a practical way to sample both peninsulas in a single day.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

Pickup options in Melbourne include Mercure Melbourne Southbank, Regent Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, and Mail Exchange Hotel. The pickup time changes seasonally, so confirm it with the operator before the tour.

What time does the tour return?

The stated return time is 6:30 pm, to your hotel or personal address. Traffic and weather can affect the schedule.

What is included in the tour price?

The stated inclusions are an English-speaking guide, wine tastings, lunch with a glass of wine, and the ferry crossing from Queenscliff to Sorrento.

Is afternoon tea included?

The schedule describes afternoon tea with scones and tea on the boat, but the stated inclusions do not clearly list it. Confirm this detail with the operator before booking.

Is a gondola ride included?

The tour name mentions a gondola ride, but the detailed route describes a ferry crossing and a visit to Murray’s Lookout at Arthurs Seat. Confirm whether a gondola ride is part of your specific departure.

How old do participants need to be?

Participants must be at least 16 years old.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring sunscreen, warm clothing, and walking shoes.

Can the tour be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. In extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances, the operator may cancel. You can then reschedule or request a full refund.