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:  

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.

The Bellarine Peninsula Railway line which runs from Queenscliff to Drysdale

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. 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. From January to April it is open every Sunday from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. From May to December 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.

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.

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.

	Hotels
	Drysdale Hotel High St Drysdale VIC 3222 Telephone: (03) 5251 2301
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Views End 265 Scotchmans Rd Drysdale VIC 3222 Telephone: (03) 5253 1695
	Restaurants
	Chui Yuan Restaurant 26-28 High St Drysdale VIC 3222 Telephone: (03) 5253 1788
	Drysdale Hotel High St Drysdale VIC 3222 Telephone: (03) 5251 2301
	Cafés
	Rose Gallery Cafe High St Drysdale VIC 3222 Telephone: (03) 5253 3086
	Soho Gallery Soho Rd Drysdale VIC 3222 Telephone: (03) 5253 1355
	Stoneacres Farm Nursery 330 Scotsmans Rd Drysdale VIC 3222 Telephone: (03) 5259 3109