NATURE ATTRACTIONS PORTSEA

Polperro Dolphin Swims is a multi-award winning environmental tourism operation that offers you the opportunity to observe and swim with wild bottlenose dolphins in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Our fully licensed vessel possesses a professionally trained and experienced crew to ensure that you have an unforgettable marine adventure. Passenger safety and the dolphins\\' protection are of paramount importance, and so we purposely limit the size of our trips to guarantee a high standard of customer and environmental care. Our on-board facilities include change areas, toilet, hot shower and a galley for serving refreshments. Wetsuits, masks and snorkels are all supplied. Reef and seal swims are often part of our trips, so be prepared to see and experience much more than just dolphins. Polperro Dolphin Swims offers a wide range of other services including Bay cruises, educational and historical tours, fully catered charters or a trip of your own personal design.

Owner/operated for over 20 years, we take pride in the ability to extend local and professional knowledge to clients enabling them to achieve optimal results in their fishing experience.

Our 3 trip structures aim to target assorted species in differing fishing grounds and for various durations to suit all Anglers.
● All charters include fishing equipment
● BYO Food & Drink
● Toilet facility

We offer services and treatments that care for your health and your beauty. Our health services treat your health problems naturally, and our beauty treatments nurture and pamper you with chemical free skin care, make up, and body treatments. We care for you in a holistic way, by helping you restore balance to your life. We help you feel good and look great.

Our Natural Therapies include Kinesiology, naturopathy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, N.L.P., Reiki, and Theta healing, as well as relaxation, therapeutic, and hot stone massage. Our goal is to help you live a better life, to be well in all ways, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

We use chemical free products in our beauty treatments. Our facials, our body wraps, our hand and foot treatments have no chemicals to harm you. We also have a chemical free range of mineral makeup to help your skin look its best

Village Cinemas is a major force in cinema exhibition in Australia and overseas. Village Cinemas Australia is a division of Village Cinemas International, which, together with its strategic partners, currently operates in Australia, Singapore, Greece and the Czech Republic.

Village Cinemas operate traditional cinemas, drive-ins, and specialised cinema experiences of Cinema Europa and Gold Class.

Village Cinemas International is part of the Village Roadshow group of media and entertainment companies.

Construction of the Sorrento Athenaeum Hall commenced in 1894, and comprised of a limestone building housing a large hall, a stage with a cellar, dressing rooms, two shops and a separate residence above. Sorrento Shopkeeper Mr. D. Macfarlane owned the cinema during this period.

Approximately in 1918 a Bio cabin was erected between the main lobby, the shop and the hall. Films were projected through the central back door of the hallway. In 1919 electricity was introduced and saw the removal of all gas lamps.

1925 saw the expansion of the “Athenaeum Picture Theatre“ resulting in a seating capacity of 592.

Searoad Ferries connects the Great Ocean Road and the Bellarine to the Mornington Peninsula, the 40 minute crossing is a stress free alternative to driving through the city, saving you time and kilometres. With two specially designed all weather 60 metre ferries departing from both destinations on the hour, every hour, 7am to 6pm daily. Enjoy easy drive-on and drive-off facilities, spacious comfortable lounges with full length windows, a tempting cafe and plenty of deck space. There are ever changing sights, watch out for dolphins, whales in winter and enormous ships as you breathe incredibly fresh air. Arriving at Sorrento, you will have a perfect view of multi-million dollar mansions sitting atop cliffs, tiny coves filled with boats, the beautiful foreshore and old limestone buildings. Whether you are going home, or on a journey far away, there's no better way to see the bay than with Searoad Ferries. Searoad Ferries operate in all weather; ferries leave every hour on the hour, from 7am to 6pm. Passengers with vehicles are advised to arrive at the terminals at least 30 minutes prior to departure. The ferries depart from Queenscliff Harbour, Queenscliff and the Sorrento Pier, Sorrento. Special features on the 40 minute journey, unparalleled views of historic lighthouses, the Point Nepean fortifications, navigational features, seals and dolphins are available from the comfortable lounge areas, cafe style seating or numerous observation decks. Both vessels are fully equipped to cater for passengers with disabilities, including an internal lift from the vehicle deck to the passenger lounge. Enjoy a twilight cruise available on Fridays and Saturdays on the 4pm sailings from Sorrento and 5pm sailings from Queenscliff; tasting local produce from the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsula. Coaches may be booked ahead. Seven days notice is advisable to secure passage.

Queenscliff Harbour is a modern marina precinct established in a true Victorian working harbour, so there is always something to see and do. Whether you're watching the Pilot boats returning from their trips into the rip, or you're signing on for a dive trip to one of Victoria's famous historic dive sites. Perhaps you are just taking it all in from the second story fine dining room located in the restaurant or braving the heights and soaking up the wonderful 360 degree views from the harbour's very own observation tower.

This narrow strip of coast and bushland offers a wonderful blend of natural scenery and fascinating historic features. The park is popular for swimming, walking, picnics and nature study, as well as surfing at ocean beaches like Portsea, Sorrento and Gunnamatta. Aboriginal Traditional Owners Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters. Before you go Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Point Nepean is truly one of Victoria's beautiful natural landscapes. A special place with so much to see and discover. Point Nepean National Park has a rich history and played an important role in shaping the early settlement, quarantine and defence of Victoria. The park is located at the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula, with outstanding coastal scenery and panoramic views of Bass Strait, the Rip and Port Phillip Bay. Explore the military forts and tunnels, discover the historic Quarantine Station, view the memorial where Prime Minister Harold Holt went missing or simply enjoy the coastal surrounds. Aboriginal Traditional Owners Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters. Before you go Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

The Bellarine Railway is a volunteer operated organisation located on the Bellarine Peninsula, offering heritage train rides and experiences between Queenscliff and Drysdale, on board a collection of steam and diesel trains originating from around Australia. The heritage service is available on Sundays, most public holidays, as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school holidays. Extra running days are available of the summer holidays. Carriage hire is available as part of the heritage service and perfect for children's parties or groups looking for the benefits of private train hire without the added cost. Experiences and special events offered are Steam and Diesel Train Driver Experiences, a Day out with Thomas weekends, Special occasion and wedding charters, Mid-week steam and diesel trips, Tailored group and school tours and Home of The Blues Train. Gift certificates and vouchers are available for all services, experiences and events.

• Queenscliffe Historical Museum 49 Hesse Street between the Post Office and Library, in the township of Queenscliff
• Opened 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.
• 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 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.

With its proximity to Victoria's largest city the southern end of the Bay has high visitor usage throughout the year with a huge peak over the summer months. The southern Bay is Melbourne's summer playground and many of the areas within Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park are popular for a range of recreational pursuits from snorkelling and SCUBA diving through to passive recreation on the beach. Habitat types found within the park include seagrass beds, sheltered intertidal mudflats, intertidal sandy beaches and rocky shores, subtidal soft substrata and rocky reefs, as well as the open water environment. The diversity and abundance of marine flora and fauna in this region are greater than many comparable habitats elsewhere in the world. The park is located in an area renowned for its diversity of migratory wader birds and includes a number of sites listed under a number of treaties to protect migratory bird habitat including International Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (the Ramsar Convention). The high diversity of marine life around the mouth of Port Phillip is due to the wide range of habitats in the area and its central Victorian location. The area marks the end of the range for some animals and plants that prefer the cold waters of western Victoria, but it also supports warmth-loving species from eastern Australia that can survive in the bay's relatively calm, shallow waters. Before you go Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Queenscliff Golf Club provides a unique Island setting with fresh air, natural beauty and tranquillity. A friendly vibrant Golf Club surrounded by natural habitat. The beauty of the course is not lost on the golfers, as it changes with the time of day and the change of seasons. The big advantage of having a course built on an Island made up of drifting sand, is that the course is a true all weather course. Regardless of heavy rain, you'd need to step into Swan Bay or a water hazard to get your feet wet. The tranquillity is only disturbed by the train whistle from the Bellarine Steam Train and local birdlife. Significant birds found on the Island include the Orange Bellied Parrot, the Royal Spoonbill, Magpies, Plovers, Swans and Pelicans.

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.

The Queenscliff shop opened its doors in 1995 and is located in a beautifully kept, heritage listed former Wesleyan Church. Built in 1868 the high ceiling and historic atmosphere create a charming environment in which to browse the wall to wall shelves when the weather's not so good for the beach.

This links style layout is set amongst rolling sand dunes adjoining Point Nepean National Park. Portsea Golf Club ranks as one of the top courses on the peninsula and consistently rates in the Top 50 courses of Australia. A number of design improvements to bunkering, tees and greens have further enhanced the course in recent years. With superbly maintained couch fairways and well drained soils, Portsea is an enjoyable if not challenging experience all year round. Portsea hosts state and national events, complemented by their own prestigious 72 hole Open Amateur. Style of Golf Course: Traditional Links Course No of Holes: 18 Course Length (m): 5,935 Course par: 72 Restaurant, Bar and Accommodation Facilities: The clubhouse has a restaurant which can cater to groups to up to 200 people for a formal sit down dinner. It also has 24 boutique style accommodation rooms. The clubhouse is a perfect choice for cocktail parties, weddings, or indeed most social functions. Pro Shop The Portsea golf centre caters for a golfers every need from equipment to apparel and tuition. The friendly qualified PGA staff are trained to fit clubs for golfers of all levels to make the game as enjoyable and rewarding as possible in order to get the most from your game. Carrying merchandise of the highest quality from the worlds leading brands, will assure the clubs you buy are right for you. 

At the beginning of the 19thcentury, the British government decided to establish a settlement at Port Phillip and Sullivan Bay was chosen because of its strategic location near the entrance of the Bay. The settlement is significant because it was the first attempt to settle Europeans permanently in what is now Victoria. A small part of Collins Settlement Historic Site was acquired in 1982 by the State Governement, with the help of public donations. Friends of Collins Settlement Sorrento Inc. assist with managing the area. Things to see and do - Explore the revegetated area and absorb the history of Victoria's first settlement - Visit the Nepean Historical Society Museum in Sorrento Before you go Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website. Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.

Mud Day Spa is based around the aboriginal term Kierr'wo meaning "Everything is joyful, everything is wonderful, everything is sweet". Escape the pressures of your day and enjoy the ultimate day spa experience where your health and wellbeing come first. Open seven days a week, offering four private relaxation suites, including a couples' room, Mud Day Spa has been designed for those with sublime relaxation in mind. Choose from a wide range of body and beauty treatments for men and women including facials, massage and wraps using Pevonia and LI'TYA products. The essentials are not forgotten either with waxing, eyes and lashes, pedicures and manicures also available.

Sorrento Golf Club enjoys a special reputation as one of Australia's premier private courses only 90 minutes from Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula. The course is beautifully groomed year round with quality bent grass greens and couch fairways, providing plenty of challenges for golfers of all standards. Visiting Club golfers are welcome with prior arrangements. Mid week corporate golf opportunities exist. Sorrento Golf Club is the ideal venue to mix a little bit of business with a lot of pleasure. Visitors Golf Sorrento is a private golf club. Limited tee times are available to visitors and guests of members. For tee times contact the Pro shop. Course No of Holes: 18 Course Length (m): 5653 metres Course par: 70

Now in its tenth year of operation Salt Contemporary Art Queenscliff exhibits the works of contemporary Australian painters, sculptors and ceramicists. Housed in an historically significant former drapery store, the gallery has long been considered the Bellarine Peninsula's premier art gallery. Offering a dynamic, regularly changing exhibition schedule, and regular arts related events including lectures, exhibition openings and biannual Indigenous exhibitions co-curated by Susan McCulloch and Emily McCulloch Childs, Salt Contemporary gallery is a must see for all art enthusiasts. Visitors to the gallery can also enjoy fabulous cocktails, a glass of local wine, a nibble of local produce, a comfy lounge by the open fire, and fabulous views of Swan Bay from the balcony of the newly launched wine bar 'The Lounge @ Salt'. The Lounge @ Salt is rapidly becoming the place for locals and visitors alike to unwind, to chat and to relax. Visit the Salt website or Facebook page for more details regarding gallery and lounge events.

Queenscliff Day Spa is a centre that aims to provide the very best professional health and beauty services. They use only the highest quality products and all of the staff are fully qualified Beauty Therapists and Masseurs. Queenscliff Day Spa utilise Dermalogica and Eminence skin and body products. They also use Eles Makeup to promote the feelings and look of well being. Their philosophy is to provide a wellness package tending to the inside and outside of the body. Take a stroll through the website and imagine yourself having a small slice of this part of heaven. 'The mind and the body are like parallel universes. Anything that happens in the mental universe must leave tracks in the physical one' Deepak Chopra. Queenscliff Day Spa is open seven days during summer and five during winter. Bookings are essential. Please call for details.