The Bellarine Railway

I guess one of the down-sides of travelling on "off-peak" days - as we mature citizens tend to do - is that not all of the attractions are open.   So, the Bellarine Railway wasn't operating during the time we were at Point Lonsdale.    This railway is now operated by an enthusiast society and runs excursions between Queenscliff and Drysdale.

It's now 3'6" gauge, although it was originally constructed (in 1879) as a normal Victorian Railways line with a gauge of 5'3". It was converted when the society took over.

Even though little was happening,  we went past the station and took a couple of pictures. However, the steam locos weren't on show.

When I young, I can remember seeing the Sunday excursion train arrive at Queenscliff.  This train originated in Ballarat, with Melbourne passengers having to travel by connecting train and change at Geelong.  In the 60s, this was last remaining passenger service on the line.   I probably took a photo of this at the time, but if I still have it, I don't know where it is.

Geelong Waterfront

We had lunch at the Wharf Shed Cafe at Geelong, down on Corio Bay.   The atmosphere here is pretty relaxed, the service is efficient and the food is very acceptable (Sue loved the mussels).  The prices aren't exactly a bargain, but that comes with the location, I suppose. 

It's interesting to take a walk along the waterfront area.  In particular, there are lots of "Baywalk Bollards" around - I see from the internet  that there are over 100 of these, and that they chronicle characters from the city's past and present, including dapper young ladies in neck-to-knee bathing costumes, 1930s lifesavers, 

a Geelong footballer, jaunty sailors, fishermen and a town band.

 

 

Queenscliff

We spent a little while looking around Queenscliff.  The town appears to wear its tourist destination status quite well.

.   

  
The main street has many historic buildings but down by the ferry terminal, there's a modern marina and associated shops. At the other end of town, there's the old fort, but as we have previously done a tour of this, we didn't revisit it.

Point Lonsdale

(Posting for 26 March).

We had a couple of nights at Point Lonsdale.    It was just too complicated to log on, hence the delay in this posting.

Point Lonsdale hasn't changed much over the years - and a good thing, too.  Of course, not everything is the same as it was, but there hasn't been a lot of development and the essentials, such as watching the ships go through The Rip, walking along the pier and checking out the lighthouse, are much the same as they have been for many years.   The coffee culture is alive and well - so long as you don't want one after 4 pm in the afternoon (even on Sunday).