Fishing on the Bellarine Peninsula

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When I was a youngin, I lived in Point Lonsdale. Growing up so closely to the beach makes me now feel like I have salt in my veins. There's nothing I find more peaceful and, yet, exhilarating than spending a day with a line in the water. There are a variety of spots in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale that cater to a variety of fishing styles and scenic preferences.

Queenscliff
The Pier
The place that comes to mind most readily - perhaps because I recently fell victim to nostalgic influence and paid it a visit - is the Queenscliff pier. Construction of this beautiful, rustic, and impressively large structure began in 1850. It is a significant piece of early Australian maritime history, which you can learn about - when the fish stop biting, of course - at the Queenscliff Maritime Museum , just metres from the pier.

Squid is the most sought after prize at the Queenscliff pier, but you can also find seven gill sharks, garfish, flathead, and (unfortunately) toadfish.

The Harbour
The best way to reel in a decent sized catch is to get on a boat and to head out through the harbour. The Queenscliff Harbour is an up-and-coming commercial hot spot. It's where the Queenscliff to Sorento ferry launches, and more recently quality restaurants and cafes have popped up, giving the area an atmosphere that is akin to a young Fremantle.

Heading out into the Strait, you'll find mullet, salmon, silver trevally, mulloway, bream, flathead and more. If you haven't got access to a boat while you're in Queenscliff, there are charter boats that will take you out to the popular feeding zones and fix you up with the right equipment and bait.

Point Lonsdale
The Pier
The Point Lonsdale pier is tucked away behind bushland, meters from the main street and right next to the Point Lonsdale lighthouse. It's in a beautiful spot that overlooks the Point Lonsdale surf beach, giving you a great view of the Bass Strait.

It was built in the 1890s to help victims whose vessels were wrecked in the wild rip that lies beneath. As you may have guessed, the spot is also beautiful for fishing. Anglers catch decent sized whiting, salmon, squid, and even shark, so bring a few different rigs and baits to have the greatest chance of landing something.

There are reports of a 250kg bronze whaler being caught off the Point Lonsdale pier, so you might also consider bringing some of the high pound line.

There you have it. These two charming little seaside towns, whose people display a laid-back beach-loving lifestyle, represent Australian beach, surf, port and fishing culture. If you're an avid angler or a curious tourist who's thinking of heading down to this marvellous part of Victoria, the places mentioned here are waiting for you. And so is a whole lot more.

Next stop: Ocean Grove!

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