Ride or Walk the Bellarine
Geelong, and the Bellarine Peninsula have some of the most amazing bike and walking trails that we think are worth showcasing. With the capacity to carry up to 20 bikes onboard each vessel, Port Phillip Ferries offers cyclists and enjoyable option to arrive on the doorstep of some of the best cycling and walking trails in the country. The bike racks are free with your ferry ticket but you’ll need to book in advance to avoid disappointment. When selecting passenger type in your online booking you are also able to choose how many bikes you are traveling with. Please also allow extra boarding time to load and secure bikes.
About this map >>>
Click on this map to enlarge or download as it includes information about places of interest, amenities, major/arterial roads, trail types and routes between towns. Residential areas have many quiet streets suitable for cycling.
Four Classifications
Rideable roads and trails on the Bellarine have been classified into four types:
- Shared off-road trails
Separated from roadways, shared trails and paths offer car-free riding pleasure. Be sure to give way to walkers and their dogs. - Unsealed roads
Quieter back roads are suitable most of the year. Conditions can vary depending on recent weather and road maintenance. - Local tracks
Often narrow, and shared with walkers, these tracks and paths may not be well maintained or inaccessible in wet weather - Sealed roads
Major and arterial roads were rated using a rideability schema that considered road speed limit, traffic volume, vehicle types and the riding corridor ie. shoulder.
The two grades are:
- Yellow – suited to less confident riders
- Orange – suited to more experienced riders
White roads were ungraded.
Bellarine Rail Trail
The Bellarine Rail Trail is a 35 kilometre trail that links South Geelong to Queenscliff following the alignment of the historical Geelong – Queenscliff Railway Line. The trail provides an inspiring passage to the many tourist attractions across the Bellarine Peninsula.
The trail pathway is asphalt between South Geelong and Drysdale and then primarily constructed of compacted, crushed rock between Drysdale and Queenscliff.
Visit the Bellarine Rail Trail page to learn more.
Shared trails
- Bellarine Rail Trail: 35 kilometres – Easy shared trail from Geelong Showgrounds via Drysdale to Queenscliff railway station
- Bellarine Coastal Trail: 17 kilometres – Easy shared trail from Pt Richards boat ramp Portarlington to Edwards Point Reserve, St Leonards
- Drysdale Ring Road Path: 6 kilometres – Easy shared trail beside the Drysdale bypass road
- Griggs Creek Path: through Curlewis
- Point Lonsdale: shared path along the seawall promenade
- Ocean Grove to Barwon Heads: from Golf Club car park along the Barwon River
- Ocean Grove to Barwon Heads: from Surf Lifesavers Club beside the dunes to the bridge
Sealed roads – Yellow
(suited to less confident riders)
- Ocean Grove to Point Lonsdale – Shell Road – narrow shoulder
- Queenscliff to Point Lonsdale – Point Lonsdale Road (C127) – narrow shoulder
- Ocean Grove to Barwon Heads – Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove Road (C129) 40-60 kilometres per hour (kph), narrow shoulder
- Drysdale to Clifton Springs – Jetty Road – Bay Shore Avenue – Whitcombes Road – some shoulders
Sealed roads – Orange
(suited to more experienced riders)
- Geelong to Queenscliff – Bellarine Highway (B110) busy, good shoulder
- Geelong to Drysdale – Portarlington Road (C123) 100 kph, busy, good shoulder
- Drysdale to Portarlington – Portarlington Road (C123) 80 kph, narrow shoulders
- Drysdale to St Leonards – Murradoc Road (C125) 100 kph, narrow shoulders
- Portarlington to Queenscliff – Queenscliff Road (C126) 80-100 kph, no/narrow shoulders
- Drysdale to Ocean Grove – Grubb Road, narrow shoulders
- Barwon Heads to Breamlea – Thirteen Beach Road 60-80 kph, no shoulders then shared trail to Breamlea Road
Shared trails
Keep left. Be aware and considerate of other users.
Move off path when stopping. Keep your dog on a lead.
- Portarlington~Indented Head~St Leonards: Bellarine Coastal Trail (17 kilometres )
- Geelong~Drysdale~Queenscliff: Bellarine Rail Trail (35 kilometres )
Beach walks
Be mindful of the tide, weather and beach-nesting birds.
- Clifton Springs: The Dell
- Portarlington: foreshore promenade
- Indented Head: Beach 2 Bush Walk*
- Queenscliff~Point Lonsdale: beach and promenade
- Ocean Grove: beach and hinterland tracks
- Barwon Heads: Thirteenth Beach clifftop path
Nature reserves
- Portarlington: Pt Richards Flora & Fauna Reserve
- St Leonards: Edwards Point Wildlife Reserve*
- Ocean Grove: OG Nature Reserve
- Leopold: Gateway Sanctuary
Waterways
- Curlewis: Griggs Creek – Gurnang Walk
- Drysdale: Lake Lorne loop
- St Leonards: Lake Reserve Trail*
* Visit Victoria Walks for more info on these and other walks.