What can you get for $20 or less these days?
Prices are being pushed up across the board affecting everything from groceries to utilities, transport to entertainment.
We’ve come up with a list of 20 things for $20 and under across The Bellarine and Mornington Peninsula to get you out and having fun without spending a fortune.
Looking for more? Here’s a guide to all the hidden gems on offer in Geelong and its surrounds
Savour the delights of Sorrento’s Vanilla Slice Café
The Vanilla Slice café has something of a cult following. Since 1983, this beloved spot has been offering up creamy slices of heaven. Everything is made by hand and locally sourced where possible. A vanilla slice will set you back $8.90.
Take in a movie at Peninsula Cinemas located in the main street of Sorrento
The cinema shows all the latest films and is the perfect place to take a load off, relax and take in some entertainment.
Wander the cosmopolitan village of Sorrento
The village offers all the ambience and charm of a historic seaside village with the sophistication & style of a city shopping strip. Sorrento has a rich history believed to be the first European settlement in Victoria.
Explore The Continental Hotel
The Continental Hotel is an iconic venue that has been a famous landmark at Sorrento since 1875. Now reimagined, this incredible property offers wellness, accommodation and culinary experiences. Drop in for a cool drink in the beer garden and grab some freshly shucked oysters from the Conti Kitchen for $5 each and a cold local tap beer.
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Visit Point Nepean National Park
Walk or cycle through this rugged coastal landscape and enjoy panoramic ocean and bay views. Explore military forts and tunnels, learn about the people who passed through the Quarantine Station – and see fascinating artefacts spanning back over 150 years.
Explore Millionaires Walk
This stunning clifftop walk has breathtaking water views across Port Phillip to the Bellarine Peninsula, Melbourne and Mount Dandenong You will get an insight into how Melbourne’s elite spend time at their summer mansions.
Learn more at the Sorrento Museum
The long-standing Sorrento Museum offers a variety of exhibits on local history, artifacts, photos & artwork. The building which is classified by the National Trust was built of local limestone in 1876/90. Today it is entirely run by volunteers and is open every Saturday.
Snorkel with weedy seadragons at Portsea Pier
Pull on your wetsuit, fit your snorkelling gear, and head on down to Portsea Pier to swim alongside giant sting rays and weedy seadragons for an incredible underwater experience.
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Nestle into a corner at the Queenscliff Brewhouse
Queenscliff’s, historic Esplanade Hotel has been transformed to celebrate locally brewed beer. At the Queenscliff Brewhouse there are 27 beers and ciders being poured from 38 taps, with five dedicated to Geelong beers in the regional tasting room. Settle in for the afternoon and try a tasting paddle.
Ride the Bellarine Rail Trail
The Bellarine Rail Trail is a scenic and enjoyable 35-kilometre trail that winds from Queenscliff to south Geelong. Bring a bike, take a run, or walk along the delightful trail. This one is free and doesn’t cost you a cent!
Explore Fort Queenscliff
With over 150 years of Australia’s heritage on display, Fort Queenscliff is one of Victoria’s most important historic sites and one of the largest and best-preserved forts in Australia. Take a tour ($18 pp) and enjoy the rare opportunity to see a 19th-century Coastal Artillery Fort with a range of guns, underground magazines, heritage buildings a working lighthouse and Military Museum.
A coffee with a view at 360Q
Drop-in for a coffee or latte at one of Queenscliff’s favourites, 360Q which boasts 360 degree views of the harbour in the upstairs viewing tower and is located at the modern Queenscliff Harbour adjacent to the Queenscliff Searoad Ferry Terminal.
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Wander Salt Contemporary Art, in Queenscliff’s main street
The gallery exhibits the works of Contemporary Australian Painters, Sculptors and Ceramicists. Housed in a historically significant former drapery store. Free to enter – but you may not leave empty-handed!
Stroll the beautiful heritage town of Queenscliff
Learn about its rich history on the Queenscliff Heritage Walk. With beautiful beaches as a backdrop, catch a glimpse of days gone by and see how old meets new in a community that celebrates its past, whilst embracing its future. Priced at $15pp.
Visit Scotchmans Hill
one of the oldest wineries in the region, was established in 1982 and is rated among James Halliday’s Top 100 Australian Wineries. Enjoy a seated wine tasting experience of its premium cool maritime climate wines for $10pp which includes a selection of 5 current vintage wines.
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Then visit The Whiskery
Next door to Scotchmans Hill is The Whiskery – run by a local family producing whiskey and gin. Here everything is produced onsite and you can sample whiskeys and gins, including the original Teddy and The Fox Gin, Rosey & the Rabbits and plenty more. A classic G&T will set you back $14.
Try some Wattle Grove Honey
Family owned and operated, Wattle Grove Honey produces raw natural honey. The happy bees enjoy hives that are moved on a regular basis. This ensures the bees have a variety of flowers, crops and trees with pollens to produce an amazing array of flavours. Take a tub home and savour this delightful nectar of the gods.
Ride a Wave
Hire a bodyboard from Go Ride a Wave for $20, and visit the popular surf breaks of 13th Beach or Raffs Beach in Barwon Heads. Remember to bring a wetsuit!
Slurp up some Mussels
Visit the Little Mussel Café for a bowl of their famous seafood chowder ($16). Its big brother and supplier to the cafe Advance Mussel Supply has been farming mussels in Port Phillip Bay for over 30 years. Visitors sit down at the café and enjoy tasty local seafood.
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