Queenscliff

History

Queenscliff is a picturesque town with a multitude of historic buildings and beautifully restored period homes. Queenscliff began as a fishing village, then became an important point for servicing the steam ship trade. In 1841 a pilot service was established. There remains still a sea pilot service to guide ships in and out of Port Phillip Heads.

The current Queenscliff lighthouse was built in 1863.

Queenscliff was also an important military base with the Queenscliff fort being completed in 1889. A military presence has remained in Queenscliff to this day.

In the 1880s Queenscliff became a popular tourist destination with visitors arriving by paddle steamer and by rail. Numerous luxury hotels were built. The Vue Grande, The Ozone and The Queenscliff hotel buildings still remain. As a tourist destination Queenscliff’s popularity declined with the demise of the bay steamers in the 1930s and was not revived until the 1980s.

There is now a car ferry service that runs between Queenscliff and Sorrento.

Demography (census 2011)

Queenscliff has a population of approximately 1400.
In Queenscliff there are 52% females and 48% males in the population.
The median age of people living in Queenscliff is 52 years old which 15 years above the national average.
In Queenscliff 24% of homes are rented.

Government Information

Queenscliff has the postcode 3225.
Queenscliff is in the state electorate of Bellarine.
Queenscliff is in the Federal Division of Corangamite.

Beach

Apart from a small neck of land that connects Queenscliff to Point Lonsdale which is referred to as The Narrows, Queenscliff is completely surrounded by the waters of Swan Bay and Port Phillip Bay.

Queenscliff sports a number of fine beaches popular with families, the favourite being Nuns beach located in front of Cottage By The Sea.

At low tide, fossicking around the rock pools below the headland on which Fort Queenscliff is built is a well loved activity.

Queenscliff has an all weather harbour with docking facilities for larger sea going vessels and Queensciff has an all weather boat ramp for trailor boats with safe access to Port Phillip Bay.

Shopping, Cafes and Restaurants

The main shopping strip is on Hesse Street, a magnificent wide street with well maintained period buildings. There is a wonderful selection of shops to browse and numerous cafes.

There is also the opportunity to try the restaurants and cafes in the newly refurbished Queenscliff Harbour.

For fine dining in luxuriant surrounds, try the Vue Grand Hotel or the Queenscliff Hotel.

Schools

Queenscliff has a state primary school and a catholic primary school.

Sporting

Queenscliff has a large Bowls Club. The Queenscliff Bowls Club restaurant has one of the best panoramic sea views over Port Phillip Heads.

Adjacent to the Bowls Club are the tennis courts and croquet club.

The Monahan Sports Centre incorporating the Queenscliff football/cricket oval is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment and enjoys breathtaking views across the bay towards the Rip and Point Lonsdale.

Golf Club

The Queenscliff Golf Club is located on Swan Island and features native kangaroos roaming the course.

Events

The highly regarded Queenscliff Music Festival is held in November each year.

The historic Bellarine Railway is operational and offers train rides between Drysdale and Queenscliff. On designated weekends they run Thomas and Friends trains.