
Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale, 5km to the west, stand as the twin, Bellarine Peninsula portals to the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. They overlook the Rip, one of the world’s most treacherous stretches of water.
Queenscliff is acknowledged as a showcase of Victorian heritage. Perched on top of Shortland’s Bluff, Fort Queenscliff is Australia’s largest and best preserved fortress. It was built during the Crimean War and is now part of a living museum which includes the country’s only Black Lighthouse. Along with the White Lighthouse, it provides a valuable line bearing for skippers navigating the unpredictable waters of The Rip.
For more about the region’s maritime heritage, drop into the Maritime Museum which is situated at the entrance to the harbour.