EXPLORE OUR BACKYARD WITH
Scenic Drives
AND GREAT OCEAN ROAD ADVENTURES
Day tripping is such a fun way to experience our region, and if you take the time to plan your trip, you’ll make sure that you don’t accidentally drive past some hidden gems along the way. Here are a few of our suggested day trip itineraries to get your wanderlust flowing.
Covering ancient volcanoes, fuzzy animals and wild coastal vistas, check out these day trip ideas from Port Fairy and start planning your Edge 17 adventure.
DAY TRIP ONE:
BASALT WINERY | TOWER HILL | BELFAST COASTAL RESERVE
First stop on the tour is the cellar door at Basalt Winery. The unique volcanic soil from ancient volcano eruptions in the surrounding area and the location of the vineyard on an open plain, north facing position gives the vines a very unique flavour profile. Varieties grown on the winery include pinot noir, tempranillo and reisling – all selected for their cool climate preference. The vineyard operates on a minimal intervention ethos – ensuring the flavour of the wine is not manipulated and the true representation of the geology and climate is preserved. Open daily from 10am the cellar door offers wine tastings, Spanish and French inspired bar snacks including tasty tapas and delicious coffee and cake.
From Basalt Winery, make your way to Tower Hill – 10 minutes drive away.
Indigenous culture, native wildlife, flora and fauna are all celebrated here in the shell of a dormant volcano crater. Victoria’s first National Park, Tower Hill has lots of great picnic spots and walking tracks to get you reacquainted with nature. See emus, koalas, echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos, birds and reptiles as they bask in their natural environment.The lake at the bottom of the volcano is a haven for the animals in the park.
From Tower Hill, make your way to Belfast Coastal Reserve, a 15 minute drive from Tower Hill.
BELFAST COASTAL RESERVE
The dramatic change in landscape over the course of the coastal reserve will have you appreciating the whims and ways of mother nature. The diverse geology and marine environment of estuaries, beaches, rock formations, marshes and dunes are home to an even wider array of wildlife. During whale season you may catch Southern White Whales breaching and playing in the shores of the Southern Ocean. Definitely pack the binoculars and stay on alert to discover many of the residents who call this place home.
From Belfast Coastal Reserve it is approximately 20 minutes drive back to your accommodation at Edge 17.
DAY TRIP ONE TRAVEL TIMES:
Edge 17 – Basalt Wines 10 minutes
Basalt Winery – Tower Hill 10 minutes
Tower Hill – Belfast Coastal Reserve 15 minutes
Belfast Coastal Reserve – Edge 17 20 minutes
DAY TRIP TWO:
THE CRAGS | YAMBUK LAKE | SUFFOIR WINERY | BUDJ BIM NATIONAL PARK
A scenic 15 minute drive from your accommodation at Edge 17 lies the stunning natural rock formation known as ‘The Crags’. The panoramic views of the majestic calcarenite cliffs are spectacular at sunrise and sunset, with the view extending out to Australia’s only offshore volcano, Ladia Julia Percy Island. The Crags hold significant spiritual importance to the local Aboriginal people, used for thousands of years as a place for gathering and feasting – a place for ceremony. The rugged coastline is home to many bird species and marine life.
The drive from The Crags to Yambuk Lake takes approximately 10 minutes by car.
YAMBUK LAKE
The wetlands, formed by the joining of the Shaw and Eumeralla Rivers are home to many endangered bird species. The lake is well known as a great fishing spot, with a boat ramp, wharf and beach fishing all providing anglers with ample opportunities to wet a line.
From Yambuk Lake to Suffoir Winery takes about 40 minutes via the town of Macarthur.
SUFFOIR WINERY
After your morning’s adventures, you’ll need some sustenance… luckily you have arrived at the family owned Suffoir Winery, Brewery and Cidery. The boutique growers produce all of the wine, beer and cider on the grounds, and their cellar door offers mouth-watering grazing platters, beer paddle tastings, cheese platters and wine tasting. If you happen to be in the area on the first weekend of march, Suffoir Winery hosts an annual Music in the Vines event amongst the picturesque 2.5 acres of pinot noir vines on the property.
From Suffoir Winery, the drive to Budj Bim National Park takes approximately 20 minutes.
BUDJ BIM NATIONAL PARK
There is something powerful and compelling about this Park, which is a dormant volcano and a vital piece of the Gunditjmara people’s history. With an ancient lava flow said to be at least 30,000 years old spreading 50km to the southwest, the Park is the first co-managed Victorian National Park in a partnership with the Gunditjmara Traditional Owners and Parks Victoria.
The crater rim offers incredible views of Lake Surprise which is rich in bird life, and there are many walking and cycling trails to keep the most active visitor satisfied. Find out more about Budj Bim National Park here.
From Budj Bim National Park it is approximately an hours drive south back to the comforts of Edge 17.
DAY TRIP TWO TRAVEL TIMES:
Edge 17 – The Crags 15 minutes
The Crags – Yambuk Lake 11 minutes
Yambuk Lake – Suffoir Winery 40 mins via Macarthur
Suffoir Winery – Budj Bim NP 20 minutes
Budj Bim – Edge 17 1 hour
DAY TRIP THREE:
CHEESE WORLD | BAY OF ISLANDS | FLAGSTAFF HILL
CHEESE WORLD
Things are about to get a little cheesy! (we did warn you!)
A 40 minute drive east from your accommodation at Edge 17, Cheese World is the first stop on our day trip to the Warrnambool region along the Great Ocean Road.
Cheese World, the gateway to tasting the delights of the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory, offer tastings, cheese platters (no surprises there) as well as their well-renowned Ploughman’s lunches.
Cheese World is a celebration and acknowledgement of the local dairy industry and its hardworking regional producers., with staff only too happy to talk you through the stages of the cheese making process. The onsite museum pays homage to the local dairy industry in its early days, as well as the history of the cheese and butter factory from its establishment.
From Cheese World, it is approximately 15 minutes to the Bay of Islands.
BAY OF ISLANDS
A highly underrated attraction along the Great Ocean Road, the Bay of Islands is a dramatic and impressive natural site, with soaring rock formations dotted throughout the waves along the shoreline of the wild Southern Ocean, carved out from years of exposure to the elements. There are two viewing platforms which are perfectly framed to reward you with breathtaking views of the geography.
Spanning 32 kilometres of Victorian coastline, the flora delights here too, with abundant heathland sprouting stunning patches of bright wildflowers. The rare flora and fauna found here adds to the ecological significance of the reserve. To this day, local Aboriginal people continue their cultural traditions on the land, preserving and continuing their strong ties to country. If you have time, interesting rockpools await you at Wild Dog Cove, whilst the beach at Bay of Martyrs is a popular place to cool down.
Hop in the car and drive 25 minutes from the Bay of Islands to Flagstaff Hill.
FLAGSTAFF HILL
This state heritage listed site is a window into the area’s rich maritime history. Prized shipwreck treasures, towering lighthouses, an evening light and sound show telling the tales of the Shipwreck Coast and a living historical museum all combine to make this an enthralling attraction for both young and old. You can find out more about the attractions of Flagstaff on their website.
The drive home to Edge 17 from Flagstaff Hill takes approximately 30 minutes.
DAY TRIP THREE TRAVEL TIMES:
Edge 17 – Cheese World 40 mins
Cheese World – Bay of Islands 15 minutes
Bay of Islands – Flagstaff Hill 25 minutes
Flagstaff Hill – Edge 17 30 minutes
Your Port Fairy adventure starts here…
We visited Port Fairy for 2 nights and we were very lucky to find this great little one bedroom apartment right on the river. Our host Brett gave us lots of information about the area including good restaurants to eat at and surrounding areas to visit. The apartment was exceptionally clean, very comfortable with all the extras needed to make our stay a great experience.
The apartment is right on the water with views quiet & peaceful. Lovely little town restaurant and fish and chips on the water… also has a 2 bedroom cottage behind which is beautiful… great fishing and make sure you try the Thai in town.