After morning tea we drove out on to the Bellarine Peninsula heading for Queenscliff via Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove. The weather was improving and we enjoyed the view of `The Rip` at the mouth to Port Phillip Bay. We shortly arrived at the old historic Royal Hotel in Queenscliff for our delightful 2 course lunch. After lunch we were given a historical talk about the hotel by its current owner and then were free to explore its dark stone basement which was a temporary mortuary for many years and the lofty wooden spire which overlooks the Queenscliff township.
The view from the spire was impressive looking out over this historic town with its fort and lighthouse. Being at the entrance to Victoria's main shipping harbour the township of Queenscliff has a rich maritime history and we were soon to learn about this history at the very popular and well maintained Maritime Museum.
We were dropped off at the Maritime Museum where we were left in the care of Mary Grundy, a delightful local volunteer, whose memories of the Queenscliff based historical maritime services provided to shipping at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay is both impressive and informative.
We departed the Museum just before 4PM and boarded the Vehicle and Passenger Ferry for our trip to Sorrento located on the Mornington Peninsula on the opposite side of Port Phillip Bay. Afternoon tea and ice creams were purchased and enjoyed during the crossing. The bay was very smooth and we soon disembarked and headed back to Wheelers Hill, arriving home at about 6PM.
What great day tour we had with good company. Val Dale, our club President made a special vote of thanks to Club Outings Organiser Pat Taylor for another terrific Club event and also to the Lamble's for a safe and enjoyable trip.