A travel feature by Franki Hobson presents the Sorrento-to-Queenscliff crossing as part of a summer weekend combining the Mornington Peninsula and the Bellarine. Published in the Brisbane Times and The Age, the article promotes a holiday taking in both sides of Port Phillip Bay.
The feature explores the Mornington Peninsula's appeal as a romantic escape, highlighting the Montalto estate's sculpture trail, Main Ridge Dairy's award-winning Capriole goat's cheese, and the Dromana 3 Drive-In, a heritage-listed venue operating since 1962.
On the Bellarine side, the article notes Portarlington's recent recognition as Victoria's top small tourism town for 2026. Activities include touring mussel farms with fourth-generation farmer Lance Wiffen, dining at Jack Rabbit Vineyard, and watching live music on the Blues Train in Queenscliff.
Accommodation options promoted in the article include the InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula, the newly opened Crowne Plaza Geelong, and the Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Promotes a novel dual-peninsula itinerary that leverages the existing ferry service.
- Showcases a wide range of local Victorian tourism businesses, from farms to cultural venues.
- Presents a model for regional tourism marketing across neighbouring destinations.
Background
The travel feature was written by Franki Hobson and published in November 2026. It was produced in collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts, which operates the featured accommodation on both peninsulas. The Sorrento to Queenscliff ferry is a well-established service across the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.
What to Watch
- Whether the summer 2026-27 season drives increased ferry traffic and bookings for the featured businesses.
- Potential for follow-up features or joint marketing campaigns between the two peninsulas.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline frames one ferry crossing as joining two halves of a summer weekend.The Age - Latest News: “You can see two halves of a summer weekend at once from the Sorrento to Queenscliff ferry deck.”
- SupportedThe summary says the travel feature links the Mornington Peninsula and Bellarine in one escape.The Age - Latest News: “Don’t be tempted to pick one peninsula and call it a weekend. Do both.”
- Not in the sourcesThe feature is by Franki Hobson.The Age - Latest News
- Partly supportedThe article was published in the Brisbane Times and The Age.The Age - Latest News: “The Age - Latest News”
- SupportedThe article presents the Sorrento-to-Queenscliff crossing as part of a weekend combining the Mornington Peninsula and Bellarine.The Age - Latest News: “The crossing becomes part of the trip while long lunches, salt water and late nights together await on either side.”
- SupportedMain Ridge Dairy’s Capriole goat’s cheese won an award.The Age - Latest News: “the goat’s cheese Capriole was named Champion Cheese at the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards”
- Partly supportedThe Dromana 3 Drive-In has been operating since 1962 and is heritage-listed.The Age - Latest News: “the Dromana 3 Drive-In, screening since 1962 and listed by both Heritage Victoria and the National Trust.”
- Partly supportedPortarlington was recently recognised as Victoria’s top small tourism town for 2026.The Age - Latest News: “Portarlington, named Victoria’s top small tourism town for 2026, is mussel country.”
- Partly supportedVisitors can tour mussel farms with fourth-generation farmer Lance Wiffen.The Age - Latest News: “head out to the farm with fourth-generation mussel farmer Lance Wiffen.”
- SupportedThe feature recommends dining at Jack Rabbit Vineyard.The Age - Latest News: “Back on land, head up to Jack Rabbit Vineyard”
- SupportedThe Blues Train in Queenscliff offers live music.The Age - Latest News: “Queenscliff is home to the Blues Train: live music and dancing aboard a heritage train after dark.”
- SupportedThe feature promotes stays at the InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula, the newly opened Crowne Plaza Geelong and Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong.The Age - Latest News: “Stay: InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula”