A Day of Gin, Wine & Cider with Port Phillip Ferries

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Posted 2019-08-07 by Kerry Lander ⇒ follow

It was a wintery weekend when this intrepid author, plus friend, decided to take a ferry trip. From Docklands to the Bellarine Peninsula, Port Phillip Ferries' regular service is the fun way to get away, avoiding roads, traffic, parking and train stations.

Off With the Ferries Cafe at the Harbour Esplanade is the point of ticket sale (as well as #book ">online ) and a replenishing coffee and snack before boarding. There is a café / bar onboard the ferry too.

As a first-timer on Port Phillip Ferries (and a seasoned ferry-rider in various international cities), the Portarlington-bound Bellarine Express was found to be clean, comfortable and light with plenty of seating, free WiFi and phone charging stations.

Being a blustery day, we didn't try the outdoor decks but imagined enjoying a beverage with a water view on a sunny smooth-sailing day. I've heard that whales can be spotted at certain times of the year.

There's any number of things to do on a day trip or weekend getaway to the Bellarine Peninsula. A good place to go for ideas is the Destination page at Port Phillips Ferries' website.

For us, being the aforementioned wintery weekend, what better activity than to plant ourselves beside a cosy fireplace at a whisky distillery. The Whiskery is just 10 to 15 minutes by Bellarine Taxi service from Portalington pier and set in a fitting rural surrounding.

We found the fireplace we were seeking, and noted the pleasant outdoor courtyard for the warmer months, to be served by a large window opening from a well-stocked whisky bar.

The Whiskery is the cellar door for Bellarine Distillery. Opened in 2014 by Russ Watson and his team, their own whiskies are still in production, due around 2021. In the meantime, plenty of top-notch renowned whiskies can be enjoyed, complete with intensive staff knowledge. And Bellarine Distilleries' own gins Teddy & the Fox, and Rosey & the Rabbits.

We eagerly ordered a gin tasting, which was served up by a charming Whiskery chap, and then selected a cocktail of each gin, to appreciate the very different properties of each. All the while consuming a generous cheese platter, from a menu that also includes pizza and smoked fish. A very pleasant afternoon by the fireplace was achieved, and The Whiskery's team proved to be knowledgeable and attentive.

And the next day, after an evening's accommodation in Portarlington, we caught the commuter ferry back to Melbourne. Now with quite a few more passengers, it was surely the most comfortable commute ever, allowing one to relax, read, get on the laptop, enjoy views and the café.

Take note: The Whiskery is extremely popular, even in winter, and it was full to capacity by mid-afternoon while we were there. No bookings are taken, you must try your luck. It opens at 11am Friday to Sunday, so if coming by the weekend ferry which arrives after midday, don't mess about. Call a taxi and get straight there, or find your accommodation then do likewise. See the address details here.