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| Spray Farm, a
vineyard on the Bellarine Peninsula near
Drysdale |
Drysdale (including Clifton Springs)
Charming old style town on the Bellarine
Peninsula
Drysdale is located on the Bellarine Peninsula,
94 km south of Melbourne and 21 km east of
Geelong. Although this area was once noted for
its potato and onion production it has become a
residential satellite of Geelong in recent
years. The population in the 1996 census was
1474.
The town is named after Anne Drysdale who,
with her partner Caroline Newcomb, established a
property named 'Coriyule' at the edge of the
present townsite in 1843. She was one of the
state's earliest female squatters. The
property's sandstone homestead is still
standing. Built in 1849 it is the oldest
structure on the peninsula.
The settlement developed in the 1850s and was
initially known as McLeods Waterholes. The
'waterholes' reference is to two lagoons which
still go by that name. They are in the
Recreation Reserve at the end of Duke St. McLeod
was the name of a local Scottish schoolteacher.
A flour mill was built in 1854, providing a
stimulus to the area, although it burned down in
1861. Nonetheless, Drysdale became the
administrative and commercial centre of the
Bellarine shire when that shire was proclaimed
in 1865 (it is now incorporated into the City of
Greater Geelong). From the 1870s visitors were
drawn to the mineral springs at what is now
Clifton Springs and to the boating opportunities
available from the coast. However, the custom of
the farmers has proved the mainstay of Drysdale
for most of its existence.
The Drysdale Markets are held on the third
Sunday of the month between September and April
on the Recreation Reserve (at the end of Duke
St). They are the largest on the Peninsula.
Things to see:
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Tourist Information
Tourist information is available from the
Geelong Otway Tourist Information Centre in
Geelong (tel: 03 5222 2900, or free-call 1800
620 888), from the Queenscliff Information
Centre (tel: 03 5258 4843) and from the
Bellarine Peninsula Visitor Information Centre,
tel: (03) 5250 2669.
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| The Bellarine
Peninsula Railway line which runs from
Queenscliff to Drysdale
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Bellarine Peninsula Railway
The 16-km Bellarine Peninsula Railway is run by
the Geelong Steam Preservation Society. It has
an outstanding collection of vintage steam
locomotives and carriages which take passengers
on scenic pleasure trips to Queenscliff, taking
in views of Swan Bay, the Bellarine Hills, Corio
Bay and Port Phillip Bay. The station is located
at Lake Lorne Reserve, just off the main
Geelong-Portarlington Rd (High St), at the
southern end of town.
Trains to Queenscliff take 45 minutes one
way. Every Sunday, most public holidays, and on
Tuesdays and Thursdays during school holidays,
trains depart for Queenscliff at 12.15 p.m. and
3.30 p.m. It is possible to catch a train back
to Drysdale at 2.30 p.m. only. The cost,
one-way, is $8 for adults, $4 for children and
$24 for families. Return is $14 for adults, $8
for children and $44 for families.
From 26 December to 14 January, trains
operate on a daily basis and, from 15 to 26
January, they operate every day except Mondays
and Fridays. A special timetable pertains to
Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday and there is a
special trip with Santa just before Christmas.
An all-weather cycling and walking trail runs
parallel to the railway track and those wishing
to take the train one way and ride a bicycle
back can transport their bikes for an additional
fee of $3. The trail continues from Drysdale
along the original rail line as far as South
Geelong. Trains can also be hired for special
occasions.
Contact (03) 5258 2069 for bookings and
further information. Recorded information
regarding train times is available on (1900) 931
452.
Drysdale Community Crafts
Drysdale Community Crafts are located at 18-20
High St (the main thoroughfare). They are open
daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., except from
July to September when they are open weekdays
only from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (03)
5250 1440.
War Veterans' Home
In Crimea St, between High St and the Recreation
Reserve, is a former home for infirm soldiers
and sailors. Built in 1891 it is a single-storey
brick institutional structure with a timber
verandah. The building was modelled on the
Crimean War veterans' hospitals at Greenwich and
Chelsea in England. A cannon still bears
testimony to the building's military past.
Museum
The former courthouse (1882), in High St, is now
a museum. In summer it is open on Saturdays from
11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and Sundays from 1.30
p.m. to 4.30 p.m. In winter it is open from 1.30
p.m. to 4.30 p.m. on the first Sunday of the
month. There is a small admission fee, tel: (03)
5250 1783.
Anglican Church
St James' Anglican Church (1872) is also located
on High St, between Clifton Springs Rd and
Bennett St.
Quarry Park
Quarry Park is a pleasant recreation area at the
eastern outskirts of town, adjacent the
Portarlington Rd.
Clifton Springs
Clifton Springs adjoins Drysdale. It occupies
land on the foreshore of Port Phillip Bay and is
essentially residential in nature. The
population in the 1996 census was 6651.
The settlement was named after some mineral
springs discovered below the cliffs in 1870. In
the late 19th century such waters were widely
believed to have medicinal value and, together
with the seaside atmosphere, they attracted many
visitors. The area was also popular with
yachting and boating enthusiasts and a pier,
hotel, baths and a kiosk were built with
steamers conveying people back and forth from
Melbourne. The mineral water was bottled and
sold by the thousand and the pier was extended
in 1889 to accommodate the growing custom as
Clifton Springs began to rival Queenscliff as a
favourite holiday resort.
Clearwater Drive provides access to a 65 ha
complex which includes a country club, a golf
course, a bowling club and a swimming pool.
Clearwater Drive continues on to the beach where
there is a boat ramp. Golfers can also try out
the Curlewis Golf Club on the Geelong Rd.
Clifton Springs Rd leads to a lookout over
Port Phillip Bay.
Kilgour Estate Winery
Kilgour Estate, established in 1989, is open
Saturday from 1.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. and, on
Sundays and public holidays, from 11.00 a.m. to
6.00 p.m. It produces chardonnay, cabernet
sauvignon and a gold-medal pinot noir and is
also open daily from Christmas until Easter, tel:
(03) 5251 2223. To get there, follow the
Portarlington Rd north-east out of Drysdale for
approximately 4 km and turn left into McAdams
Lane and it is at no.85. There are barbecue
facilities, a cricket pitch, a tennis court, a
basketball ring and gourmet food specialising in
seafood.
Scotchmans Hill Winery
Scotchmans Hill Winery was established in 1982.
It produces pinot noir and an award-winning
chardonnay, along with small amounts of a
cabernet-merlot blend, sauvignon blanc and
riesling. To get there head north-east along the
Portarlington Rd for 3.8 km from the centre of
Drysdale then turn right onto Scotchmans Rd and
it is along this road, on the right, at no.190.
The cellar door is open daily from 10.30 a.m. to
5.30 p.m., tel: (03) 5251 3176.
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| New vineyards
at Spray Farm |
Spray Farm
Now part of the Scotchmans Hill Group, this
historic farm has been repaired and restored. It
is a 150 year old property (originally built in
1851 on the hill with lands stretching down to
the bay) which was a combination of a
gentleman's residence and stables. Today this
beautiful property is open for weddings and
special occasions. For more details contact
Bruce Keebaugh on (03) 9822 3663.
Stoneacres Farm
Down the road, at 330 Scotchmans Rd, is
Stoneacres Farm, a large orchard/rose
garden/nursery which is situated on elevated
ground offering fine views over the bay. There
is a rose walk, a wild garden, a hedged terrace,
a bluestone wall, a sunken garden, a pond and a
bog garden. The nursery specialises in
old-fashioned roses, perennials and unusual
shrubs, tel: (03) 5259 3109.
Soho Fine Art Gallery and Nursery
The art gallery and tearooms are open weekends
and public holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
or by appointment. The nursery is open daily
from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5253
1355. To get there head east off the
Geelong-Portarlington Rd along the Murradoc Rd
for about 5 km then turn right into Soho Rd.
Tuckerberry Hill
If you continue along the Murradoc Rd for a very
short distance Becks Rd heads off to the left.
Along here, at no.35, is Tuckerberry Hill where
you can pick your own blackberries from 26
December to the end of February during which
time the farm is open daily (9.00 a.m. to 5.00
p.m.). At other times it is best to ring before
you visit. Blueberry jams, juice, chutneys,
muffins and toppings and blueberry plants are
available all year round, tel: (03) 5251 3468.
Adventure Park
Set in 52 acres of picturesque parkland,
Adventure Park has a wide range of activities
for families, including a 100-metre tube
waterslide, go-karts, a 9-hole golf course,
jumping castles, volleyball, a merry-go-round,
paddleboats, an archery range, Adventure Island
mini-golf, aqua bikes and canoes, mountain bike
riding, the Adventure Express Train,
paddleboats, an archery range and the Adventure
Playground. Facilities include a kiosk and cafe
and undercover seating. Gas barbecues and
lockers are available for hire.
Admission charges, at last report, were $12
for general admission (there is an additional
fee of $4 for a five-minute ride on the
go-karts), $7 for senior citizens (55 yrs &
over) and for the disabled, free for under 4s,
and $20 for a two-day ticket. An annual pass is
also available.
Opening hours are from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00
p.m. from Wednesday to Monday and every day in
school and public holidays. Adventure Park is
closed for about two months each winter (from 17
July 2000 to 9 September 2000).
To get there, head south-west along the
Geelong-Portarlington Rd. When you reach the
roundabout at the edge of Drysdale, veer south
along Grubb Rd for about 3 km then turn right
into Swanbay Rd and the Park is at no.5, tel:
(03) 5250 2756. A site map is available from the
admission centre.
A Maze 'n' Things
If, instead of turning off Grubb Rd, you follow
it a little further south to the intersection
with the Bellarine Highway you will see A Maze
'n' Things: a complex which features a giant
This three-dimensional wooden maze, a puzzle and
jigsaw centre, a croquet court and a putting
green. There is a kiosk, a playground and
barbecues. It is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to
5.00 p.m. and doubles as something of a tourist
information centre for the Peninsula, tel: (03)
5250 2669.
Bellarine Adventure Golf
Opposite A Maze 'n' Things is Bellarine
Adventure Golf, a mini-golf course, tel: (03)
5250 3777.
Benleigh Alpaca Stud
The Benleigh Alpaca Stud is located at 1055 on
the Geelong Rd, about 5 km west of Drysdale,
tel: (03) 5250 2737.
