9 things to do on the Bellarine Peninsula (2026 edition)

Find Your Next Favourite Thing to Do on The Bellarine

Experience the coast, taste your way around the region, and make time for the experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. Take a peek at the 9 best things to do in Bellarine Peninsula:

1. Ride the Rails for Blues, Fine Dining, and Family Fun

On The Bellarine, a train ride can mean much more than getting from A to B. Aboard The Blues Train, you'll enjoy live blues music as you travel through the countryside from Queenscliff. Four live acts perform in separate carriages, and at each stop, passengers swap carriages so everyone gets to experience all four performances. With plenty of music, dancing and a lively atmosphere, it's a night out with a difference.

For a different kind of rail adventure, Australia's only rail restaurant, The Q Train, serves a five-course degustation celebrating Victoria's regional produce, prepared fresh onboard during a relaxed three-hour journey. For a more family-friendly experience, Bellarine Railway runs steam and diesel train rides along the historic railway, with services departing from Queenscliff. Families can also check the calendar for special events such as Day Out With Thomas and The POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.

Lastly, little railway fans can join the fun at Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway. Set in parkland near the foreshore, the railway takes visitors on miniature train rides with Port Phillip Bay close by.

These railway experiences are among the unique things to do on the Bellarine Peninsula. Check operating dates and booking requirements before setting off, especially for special events and seasonal services.

2. Swim Alongside Dolphins and Seals

There's a big difference between watching marine life from the shore and swimming alongside it in the water. Sea All Dolphin Swims takes you on a guided snorkelling adventure through the waters around Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park, where you can swim with Australian fur seals and have the chance to encounter wild dolphins.

The tour usually begins with snorkelling at Pope's Eye before heading to Chinaman's Hat to swim with the seals. From there, you'll head out in search of dolphins, with the experienced crew guiding you along the way.

For those keen to explore a little deeper, Scubabo Dive Victoria offers scuba diving experiences for beginners through to experienced divers. With pick-up points in Queenscliff and Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula, you can join guided boat dives to explore historic shipwrecks and underwater reefs in Port Phillip Bay.

Scubabo also offers diving courses for those looking to learn or build their skills, along with snorkelling and sightseeing tours to see local Australian fur seals.

3. Get to Know Portarlington’s Famous Mussels

Portarlington is known as Australia's mussel capital, and one of the more unique things to do on the Bellarine Peninsula is head out onto Port Phillip with Portarlington Mussel Tours.

Aboard a beautifully restored timber boat, you'll visit the local mussel farms, meet the farmer and learn how the mussels are grown. Along the way, enjoy cooking demonstrations and fresh seafood tastings paired with Bellarine wines.

There are several experiences to choose from, including the Classic Mussel Tour, the Native Angasi Oyster Tour and a Deluxe Seafood Tour featuring local abalone, scallops and other seafood.

If you're visiting in January, the Portarlington Mussel Festival is another reason to head to town, with freshly cooked mussels, market stalls, live music and family entertainment.

4. Step Into The Bellarine’s Military Past

Queenscliff's seaside streets tell many stories, but for history buffs looking for things to do in Bellarine Peninsula, a guided tour of Fort Queenscliff offers a closer look at the region's military past, coastal defence and the strategic importance of the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.

With more than 150 years of heritage to uncover, the fort is one of Victoria's significant historic sites and among Australia's largest and best-preserved coastal artillery forts. Guided tours led by the Fort Queenscliff Heritage Association take visitors through the historic complex, sharing stories of its military past and role in protecting Port Phillip Bay. As the fort remains an active Defence site, access is by guided tour only.

5. Head Out for a Surf at Ocean Grove

If you're keen to catch some waves, Ocean Grove and Thirteenth Beach are two popular surfing spots on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Ocean Grove Main Beach is popular with surfers, swimmers and families, with a two-kilometre stretch of sand and plenty of space to enjoy the beach. When you're ready for a break, grab a coffee or something to eat at The Dunes restaurant or the beachside kiosk, both located right by the sand.

For more experienced surfers, Thirteenth Beach is known for its consistent surf and variety of breaks. Ranked among Victoria's top 10 surf beaches, it's a popular spot for those looking for more challenging waves. Beach patrols don't operate year-round, so be sure to check conditions and surf safety information before heading out.

6. Pedal Through the Countryside

The Bellarine Rail Trail follows the old railway line between Geelong and Queenscliff, passing farmland, vineyards and wetlands along the way. It's a shared trail for cyclists and walkers, with mostly flat sections that make it a good option for a leisurely bike ride.

You don't have to tackle the whole trail either. Pick a section to ride, stop along the way and keep an eye out for birdlife around the Swan Bay wetlands near Queenscliff.

7. Sip Your Way Through the Wine Country

The Bellarine Peninsula's cool climate and basalt-rich soils over limestone create favourable conditions for pinot noir, chardonnay, and shiraz, alongside a range of other varieties. With more than a dozen wineries scattered across the peninsula, you'll find intimate cellar doors, wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Add views across Port Phillip Bay at selected cellar doors, and you've got a lovely setting for a leisurely afternoon.

Wine isn't the only thing being poured here, either. The region's distilleries, breweries, and cideries invite visitors to try something different. Follow The Spirits Trail, and you’ll find local distillers experimenting with botanicals, citrus, and creative flavour combinations.

For a broader taste of the region, follow the Bellarine Taste Trail, which connects local wineries with producers, farm gates and places to sample regional food and drink. Short on time? Focus your tasting plans around Portarlington, where several wineries sit close together. Our guide to 5 Wineries Within 5 Minutes makes it easier to plan a cellar-door outing in one part of the peninsula.

8. Make a Splash at Victoria’s Biggest Water Theme Park

If you're looking for things to do with kids on the Bellarine Peninsula, set aside a day for Adventure Park, Victoria's biggest water theme park. With 23 rides, there's plenty to keep the family busy, including high-speed slides for thrill-seekers and splash zones designed with younger visitors. Adrenaline junkies can take on Thunder Falls, Victoria's first free-fall drop water slides, or brave the park's triple-funnel tsunami ride.

Check height and age restrictions before your visit so you can plan the rides around your children's ages and confidence levels. With water attractions for different stages and energy levels, Adventure Park makes a fun-filled family day out.

Come summer, the park transforms after dark with festive light displays, Christmas-themed attractions, and seasonal entertainment at the Christmas Festival of Lights, so families can enjoy the venue beyond its water rides. It's a good option for a separate evening outing during the festive season, so check event dates and ticket details when planning your visit.

9. Tee Off at The Bellarine’s Top Golf Courses

The Bellarine has a collection of well-regarded golf courses, with links-style layouts, tree-lined fairways and challenging coastal conditions. Six of the region's leading golf courses are within a 35-minute drive of one another, leaving more time for the fairways and less time behind the wheel.

Barwon Heads is a good place to start, with two of the region's best-known golf clubs. 13th Beach Golf Links hosts one of Australia’s leading golf events, The Vic Open, and The Barwon Heads Golf Club has one of the most challenging and scenic layouts that earned its spot as one of Australia’s top golf courses.

You don't need to book a full round to get in on the action, either. At The Range @ Curlewis Golf Club, automatic tee-up technology puts the next ball in place after each shot, so you can focus on your swing.

Add a winery lunch or a stop along the coast, and a round of golf can easily become the centrepiece of a longer stay on The Bellarine.