Queenscliff - 31st May 2014

We were greeted by a grey overcast Saturday this weekend. As I had to drop some gear into Point Cooke for repair we decided to keep heading west and do a walk at Queenscliff. First things first we settled in for a long lunch, coffee, and news paper session at Ginger Mai's, at charming little cafe, my chicken parma sandwich was particularly good. If you ever find yourself in Queenscliff this little cafe is definitely worth checking out.

Lunch at Ginger Mai's.

The view back towards Shortland's Bluff from the start of the walk.

It was around 2 pm when we finally pulled on our boots, leaving the car near the ferry terminal we followed the Bellarine Rail Trail around the shore of Swan Bay. I took a shit load of photos but there all crap so I probably wont up load to many. The reflections off Swan Bay were particularly impressive, along with a big variety of sea birds. We passed by the old Queenscliff train station which now houses the Blues Train, a steam train that goes out to Drysdale with a changing variety of Blues players providing entertainment in the old carriages.

Queenscliff pier.

The bridge over to Swan Island Navel base.

Swan Bay.

The Blues Train

A big old gum tree from the rail trail.

Eventually we crossed over from Swan Bay onto Narrows Beach, we now were heading back towards the Queenscliff light house with views across the rip towards Point Nepean National Park. With our usual tardy start we once again found ourselves walking into the gloom, the good bit was that it provided the only reasonable light of the walk for taking some photos. Reaching Shortlands Bluff we climbed up to the lookout at the Lighthouse, the last time we'd seen this lighthouse was as we sailed out the Heads on our way to New Zealand.

If the trains don't get you the snakes will!

Reflections in Swan Bay.

Finally a bit of blue sky.

Sam, on the board walk at the Marine Discovery Centre.

Making our way around the Queenscliff Fort we were soon back at the car. After taking off our boots we headed down to the car ferry and got ourselves on the 6 pm service to Sorrento, less than an hour later we were home.

A Pelican looking for a free feed from the fishermen.

Heading back to Queenscliff late in the day.

A fishing boat heading out the Heads, with Point Nepean National Park in the distance.

The Lighthouse on Shortlands Bluff.

The Dirt
We used the notes from the Tyrone Thomas and Andrew Close book 150 Walks in Victoria, its walk # 57 in the book, there's no real need for a map as the one in the book is adequate. The car ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento is run by Searoad who I think also run the ferry over to Kangaroo Island in South Australia, and like the Kangaroo Island service they don't miss when it comes to prices, $69 for a forty minute ride with the car, such is life! This is an easy walk that anyone could do, with a few detours we walked around ten kilometres and climbed less than 100 metres.

The fort at Queenscliff.

The second lighthouse at Queenscliff is behind the fort.

Some of the historic building along Gellibrand Street, about 100 metres from the finish of our walk.