One day, two peninsulas, one long appetite. This Taste Trail strings together wine, beer, and food stops with big coastal scenery, starting at Geelong and working outward toward the Mornington Peninsula. I like how the day is built around real local hangouts, not just famous names, and I especially like the win-win format of tastings plus a proper winery lunch. One consideration: it’s a full, adult-oriented tasting schedule, so you’ll want to pack light and be ready for a long day on a bus.

You’ll ride between the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, with breaks that actually make sense—walks, lookouts, and a bay sail with Devonshire tea. The best part for me is the pacing: you don’t spend all day sitting still, and you’re not just being rushed through cellar doors. Still, the tour isn’t a good fit if you have limited mobility, and you should plan on no big luggage and no strollers.

If you’re the type who enjoys learning while you snack, you’ll likely have a great time. Guides named Gary, Matt, and Kyle have stood out in past bookings for being relaxed, friendly, and strong on regional food-and-wine context, which turns tastings into stories you can actually use later.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Two major wine regions in one day: Bellarine Peninsula wine tastings plus Mornington Peninsula craft and coast stops
• Winery lunch with vine views for a real meal, not just a token bite
• Cellar door tastings and a St Andrews Brewery beer paddle with local food culture built in
• Bay sail with Devonshire tea that breaks up the driving and changes the mood
• Arthurs Seat Lookout and Murrays Lookout for wide views back toward the city
• Mornington Peninsula Bathing Boxes: a quick icon stop that’s fun even if you’re not a photo person

Two Peninsulas, One Long Taste Trail (and Why That Works)

This is a 10-hour day built for people who want variety without planning a whole itinerary themselves. You’re covering two food-and-drink ecosystems: the Bellarine Peninsula (vineyards and wine-barn cellar doors) and the Mornington Peninsula (craft beer, coastal lookouts, and those bright bathing boxes). The payoff is that you get to compare styles and settings side by side, instead of driving in circles for separate half-days.

The tour is also good value for what’s included. At $155 per person, you’re not just paying for transport. You’re getting wine tasting(s), a craft beer paddle, a winery lunch, and Devonshire tea, plus national park fees that would normally add up if you were doing everything on your own. That makes the day feel “budget-friendly by convenience,” which is exactly what you want on a short trip.

There’s one tradeoff: you’re tasting, not snacking. The day includes meals and tea, but it also notes that snacks and other drinks aren’t included, so you should eat breakfast and keep your own water plan in mind. Also, alcohol is part of the schedule, so you’ll need to meet the age requirement and bring your photo ID.

Geelong Waterfront Start: Sea Air Before the Tastings

Your day starts with pickup from selected accommodation areas, then a drive toward Geelong Waterfront. This is a smart opener. Geelong’s esplanade gives you fresh sea air and a chance to stretch your legs before you settle into the rhythm of wineries and tastings.

This early walk matters more than it sounds. When you’re about to spend the day tasting wine and beer, you want your head clear and your body awake. A short waterfront stroll is a natural reset, and it helps you avoid the groggy “bus-nap-bus-nap” trap that some day tours fall into.

If you’re picky about timing, arrive a few minutes early at pickup—your guide will meet you outside the pickup point, and the vehicle is clearly marked with the Explore Australia Tours logo. You’ll also hear the hint to look for a purple bus, which helps you avoid that classic “where is the van?” moment.

Scotchmans Hill Vineyard Cellar Door: Bellarine Views and Old-World Charm

After leaving Geelong, the first vineyard stop is Scotchmans Hill Vineyard on the Bellarine Peninsula. Here’s what makes it more than just a tasting room visit: the estate is set with magnificent views, and the tasting is described as happening in an old French provincial barn house among the vineyards.

That setting is the whole point. Vineyards here aren’t only about product; they’re about atmosphere. A barn-house cellar door tends to feel less like a showroom and more like a place where wine-making lives alongside daily estate life. You’ll be tasting in a way that feels grounded in the landscape rather than staged for tourists.

One practical tip: if you get motion sickness on winding roads, take precautions early. This area is scenic, which often means the drive includes curves and coastal angles. It’s not a reason to skip the tour—just a reason to prepare.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard and Lunch: A Cafe Break That Feels Local

Next up is Jack Rabbit Vineyard, known for its breathtaking views. Lunch happens at the Jack Rabbit Café, and this is where the tour shifts from “tastings” to “food plus scenery.” The lunch choice matters because it’s the main meal of the day besides winery lunch, so it helps you pace your alcohol intake without feeling like you’re stuck eating only small portions.

The vibe is described as a local favorite—one where locals don’t want to leave—so expect the food to feel like part of the region’s daily life rather than a forced tourist stop. Even if you’re not an especially adventurous eater, a cafe lunch in a vineyard-view setting is usually a win because it’s both satisfying and relaxing.

Possible drawback: lunch stops can be a little busier than wineries, since people may linger. If you’re the type who likes your schedule exact, just know you might wait briefly depending on how the tour flow times the meal.

Devonshire Tea on the Bay: The Best Type of Slow Down

Then comes one of the nicest “breathers” on the route: you’ll sail on the bay with Devonshire tea. This part changes the day’s rhythm. Instead of more roads and more walking, you get movement plus a slower food-and-tea moment.

Why it works: it breaks up the intensity of tastings. After wine and lunch, a warm tea and a coastal ride can reset your pace, so you don’t feel like the day turns into a straight-line alcohol marathon. And the bay itself is part of the experience; you’re not only buying taste, you’re getting the place that makes it worth tasting.

If you’re sensitive to wind, bring a light layer. Coastal tea on a boat can be cooler than you expect, especially if the day is breezy.

St Andrews Brewery Beer Paddle: Craft Beer Where Horses Trained

After the bay sail, the tour heads to St. Andrews Brewery, a craft brewery on the Mornington Peninsula. The cool part is the setting: it was once a world-class horse training facility, and the tour describes a tasting experience where you can watch brewers crafting and pouring brews right from the stable doors.

That’s not just a fun detail—it affects the mood. Brewery tours can feel like a lecture followed by samples. This one is built around place and motion, so your beer paddle has more energy and personality. You join the locals for the paddle tasting, which helps the stop feel less like a staged pitch and more like a working craft operation.

Practical note: the beer tasting is part of the included experience, but the tour still notes that other drinks and snacks aren’t included. If you tend to get hungry between tastings, plan for it with breakfast and your main meals.

And yes, you’ll want to keep your day bag light again. The tour doesn’t allow luggage or large bags, so bring what you need and skip the extra.

Arthurs Seat and Murrays Lookout: Big Views Back Toward the City

Next is the scenic high point: Arthurs Seat with panoramic views from Murrays Lookout, looking out across the bay toward the city. This is where the tour earns its long driving day. You get wide, open sightlines that make the whole Mornington Peninsula stretch feel real, not just like a list of stops on a schedule.

These lookout moments matter for a reason beyond photos. They give you context. After spending hours in tasting rooms and cafes, seeing the coastline and city relation helps your brain connect the dots, so the region feels understandable instead of scattered.

One consideration: lookouts mean walking on uneven or sloped terrain. The tour notes it’s not recommended for people with limited mobility and not suitable for mobility impairments, so be honest with yourself about how you handle stairs, steps, and outdoor surfaces.

Peninsula Bathing Boxes: Icon Photos with a Local-Season Feel

Finally, you’ll visit the Peninsula Bathing Boxes, the iconic bright beach boxes that signal summer on the Mornington Peninsula. They’re a tourist attraction in their own right, but they also feel like part of the local seaside story rather than a random photo spot.

This stop works because it’s quick, colorful, and easy to enjoy even if you’re not a big museum person. It’s also a good ending beat: you’ve done the food and drink side, now you get an easy visual payoff before the ride back.

If you’re traveling with a group, this is one of those moments where people will naturally spread out and then regroup. It’s simple, low-pressure, and it helps you wrap up the day without feeling like you’re rushing to the final check-in.

Price and Value: What $155 Actually Covers

Let’s talk value without hand-waving. At $155 per person for about 10 hours, the included items are doing a lot of heavy lifting:

• wine tasting stops (including cellar door experiences)
• a winery lunch with vine views
• a craft beer tasting via a beer paddle
• Devonshire tea during the bay sail
• national park fees
• round-trip transport from selected pickup points

What’s not included is equally important: snacks and other drinks. That means the day is still designed as a full meal experience, but you should expect to add your own small extras if you get cravings between stops or want extra water, soft drinks, or dessert.

Also, there’s a hard rule worth planning around: you must be at least 18 and have a valid photo ID to consume alcohol. If you’re under 18 or not bringing ID, your experience may feel different from the intended tasting flow.

Guide Quality: When Your Day Depends on the Driver

A good day tour doesn’t just move people from place to place. It makes the stops feel connected. Past bookings have praised guides including Gary, Matt, and Kyle for being friendly, informative, and relaxed. That’s exactly what you want on a taste trail, because a good guide helps you understand what you’re tasting without turning it into a textbook.

What I’d watch for on this type of tour is how the guide sets expectations. The best guide keeps the schedule flowing, explains what matters at each venue, and gives you just enough context to choose what you like—rather than forcing everyone to sip the same thing.

Given the repeated high marks on guide performance, it’s reasonable to expect you’ll get both warmth and practical pacing.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour suits you if you want a food-and-wine day without the stress of driving, parking, and booking multiple experiences. It’s a great match for couples, friend groups, and solo travelers who like structured days with real tastings and scenic stops.

It’s also a strong choice if you enjoy comparing regions in one go. Doing Bellarine wine on one side and then switching to Mornington Peninsula craft beer and coast scenery the same day gives you a clearer sense of how the geography shapes what you drink.

You might skip it if any of these apply:

• You need accessibility support; the tour isn’t recommended for limited mobility and isn’t suitable for mobility impairments.
• You dislike long days with active stops and outdoor walking at lookouts.
• You want a tour where snacks and extra drinks are covered—this one isn’t built that way.

And if you’re traveling with kids: child fares apply for ages 0–15, but unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed, and strollers are specifically not allowed (baby strollers). It’s an adults-first day by structure.

Should You Book the Around the Bay Food & Wine Taste Trail?

If your goal is a 10-hour, included-meals tasting day across two peninsulas, I’d book it. The value math is strong because your tastings, winery lunch, and Devonshire tea are baked in, and the route adds meaningful scenery instead of just repeating the same kind of stop.

I’d hesitate only if you know you want maximum flexibility (because tour stops can vary) or if you need accessibility support. Also be prepared for alcohol requirements: bring photo ID and expect the day to include tastings.

For the right traveler, this tour is the kind of day that leaves you full, a little buzzed, and with a clearer idea of why Victoria’s coastline and food culture go together so well.

FAQ

How long is the Around the Bay Food & Wine Taste Trail?

The tour runs for 10 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $155 per person.

Where does the tour start?

You’ll be collected from your accommodation, then the day starts at the Geelong Waterfront.

Is wine and beer included?

Yes. The tour includes wine and beer paddle tastings, plus a winery lunch and Devonshire tea.

Is there lunch on the tour?

Yes. You’ll have a winery lunch (with views overlooking the vines) during the day.

Are snacks or additional drinks included?

No. Snacks and other drinks are not included.

Do I need a photo ID?

Yes. You must present a valid photo ID to consume alcohol, and you must be at least 18.

Is the tour suitable for kids?

Child fares apply for travelers aged 0–15, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed.

Is pickup available from my hotel?

Pickup is included from selected pickup locations. You should arrive at least 10 minutes early for check-in.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility issues?

The tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility and is not suitable for mobility impairments.