Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE BELLARINE TASTE TRAIL
The Bellarine/Geelong area has over 50 wineries (
www.winegeelong.com.au
)
, and is known for its cool-climate
pinot, shiraz and chardonnay. Combine a winery hop with the
Bellarine Taste Trail
(
www.thebellarinetastetrail.com.au
)
, and you've got yourself a fantastic day out.
If you don't have your own wheels,
For the Love of Grape
( 0408 388 332;
www.fortheloveofgrape.com.au/bellarine-wine-tours
;
half-/full-day tours from Geelong) and
Beacon Tours
(
03-5258 1672;
www.beacontours.com.au
;
tours $137) offer winery tours, otherwise visit during Toast to the
Coast (
Click here
) festival in November.
Most listings here are open daily during summer and on weekends; other times call ahead.
Jack Rabbit
( 03-5251 2223;
www.jackrabbitvineyard.com.au
; 85 McAdams Lane, Bellarine; noon-3pm
Sun-Thu, from 6pm Fri & Sat) Boutique winery with spectacular bay views and restaurant featuring local pro-
duce. Enjoy drinks on the outdoor decking or indoors by the fire.
PIKNIK
( 03-5258 5155;
www.piknik.com.au
;
1195 Queenscliff Rd, Swan Bay; 7.30am-3.30pm Wed-
Sun) Fantastic breakfasts and lunches using local ingredients, plus great coffee and homemade ice cream.
Banks Road
( 03-5258 3777;
www.banksroad.com.au
; 600 Banks Rd, Marcus Hill; 11am-5pm Fri-Sun)
Enjoy the wine while looking out to open-air sculptures in a pastoral setting shared with the outstanding Bistro at
Banks French restaurant.
Scotchmans Hill
( 03-5251 3176;
www.scotchmans.com.au
; 190 Scotchmans Rd, Drysdale;
11am-4.30pm) Large-scale winery with a beautiful, lush setting; also has the Hill Winery outside Geelong, which
hosts 'A Day on the Green' gigs, featuring artists such as Neil Young & Crazy Horse.
Oakdene
( 03-5256 3886;
www.oakdene.com.au
;
255 Grubb Rd, Wallington; cellar door 10am-4pm) Set
in a quirky upside down barn and surrounded by eclectic arty objects, this is a vineyard with a difference. It also
does fine dining and casual eating.
Elk Horn Roadhouse
( 03-5250 6056;
www.elkhornroadhouse.com.au
;
420a Wallington Rd, Wallington;
8am-5pm; ) Just outside Ocean Grove, this rustic roadside cafe prides itself on gourmet homemade produce,
best sampled in its tasting plates ($19). Also sells bottled relishes.
Terindah Estate
( 03-5251 5536;
www.terindahestate.com
;
90 McAdams Lane, Bellarine; 10am-4pm)
Across from Jack Rabbit, Terindah winery boasts incredible views and fine dining in its glasshouse shed.
McGlashan's Wallington Estate
( 03-5250 5760;
www.mcglashans.com.au
;
225 Swan Bay Rd, Wallington;
11am-5pm Sat & Sun) Non-pretentious winery with tastings in a large barn covered in memorabilia, plus de-
licious seafood platters featuring abalone.
Tuckerberry Hill
( 03-5251 3468; 35 Becks Rd; 9am-5pm Sat & Sun) Pick your own blueberries, or
sample its blueberry muffins, pancakes or shakes in the cafe.
Drysdale Cheeses
(
0437 816 374;
www.drysdalecheeses.com
; 2140 Portarlington Rd, Bellarine;
1-4pm
first Sun of the month) Taste award-winning goats cheese and yoghurts.
Manzanillo Olive Grove
(
03-5251 3621; Whitcombes Rd, Drysdale;
11am-4.30pm Sat & Sun) Dunk
bread into samples of cold-pressed extra-virgin and chilli-infused olive oils.
