Eat, drink, dance, repeat at this new Bellarine music festival.
Utilising the stunning backdrop of sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, cliffs and historic piers of the Queenscliff Foreshore, By The Pier is a three-day celebration of music, art and mateship.
Taking to the tiny seaside village on the Bellarine Peninsula, By The Pier is a new addition to the festival calendar this year, presented by the team behind Queenscliff Music Festival, an event often referred to as the music jewel of the Bellarine.
Taking place in March, the festival is designed to co-exist with the iconic Queenscliff Music Festival in November, now gifting music lovers two brilliantly curated festival experiences each year.
With the new festival just around the corner – March 25-27, to be precise – we aren’t leaving you to brave it alone. From where to eat, stay and play between the acts you absolutely can’t miss, you’ll find it here.
The Basics – what is it and where it’s happening
Queenscliff’s new music festival will take to the same location as QMF in March, from Friday 25 through to Sunday 27. The festival will kick off on Friday from 3pm to 12am, with Saturday running from 10am to 12am and Sunday from 10am to 9pm.
Flagging an intimate festival experience for music lovers, tickets will be limited with a single outdoor stage set up on the familiar festival stomping ground of the Queenscliff foreshore, all aimed at providing a vibrant three days of sensational sounds, gourmet food trucks, bars, a DJ Tent and of course sun sea and sand to go with. The main festival arena is located in Princess & Lower Princess Parks Queenscliff.
Tickets are available via the website. A three-day ticket is $199, while single-day tickets range from $79-$109.
Who’s Playing
For its inaugural edition, the lineup will feature the crème de la crème of Australian music, consisting of a bunch of iconic names originally announced for the 24th iteration of QMF which was slated to go ahead in November prior to being postponed for the second time in two years. The 2022 QMF is now set for November 25-27, 2022.
Friday, March 25
SAN CISCO
Electric Fields
Pierce Brothers
The Rions
Bones & Jones
Cry Baby
Saturday, March 26
CLIENT LIAISON
JULIA STONE
BRIGGS
Harvey Sutherland
Southern River Band
Telenova
Mama Kin Spender
Ryan Downey
Hassall
Sunday, March 27
VERA BLUE
Jarryd James
Thandi Phoenix
Kim Churchill
Didirri
Maple Glider
Isabella Khalife
Set Times
Get your highlighters ready, because the three-day itinerary for the festival has arrived, featuring the playing times for all the acts you’re busting to see.
What to Eat and Drink
While live music is the main pull when it comes to By The Pier, this festival is proving it has the ability to pull through when it comes to satisfying cravings, featuring delicious eats ranging from savoury to sweet inspired from all corners of the world.
With an abundance of options, we’ve narrowed down our favourites that will be heading to the seaside town this March.
First up, Lime & Co are your go-to if you feel like Mexican street food (hello tacos). If you’re craving the best of American cooking with a touch of Mexican flavours, Mulita BBQ will be slinging out-of-this-world delicious burgers, available by themselves or in a combo.
If you’re a fan of Italian (and who isn’t?), That Arancini Guy will be dishing up some Nonna-worthy creations, while Elephant Rock Street Food is the slick Airstream style food van serving local and regional calamari and seafood with beer battered chips.
Other food stalls to help make you indecisive for dinner include Indian Hot Food, Shumeis Dumpling Co, Turkish Gozleme and The Potato Works. Best of all, they even have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, catering to absolutely everybody.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, you’ll find solace in Timboon Fine Ice-Cream, a business renowned for its premium boutique ice cream.
Of course, there will also be a range of the region’s best boutique crafted beers and wine to enjoy from local favourites Mountain Goat and Scotchman’s Hill, while Royal Road Coffee will deliver the caffeine hits.
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Getting There
Okay so you’ve got your ticket, you’ve got your crew – now the time to work out the best way to get there!
As mentioned, the Festival is held in Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. The main festival arena is located in Princess & Lower Princess Parks Queenscliff.
With an easy 90-minute drive out of Melbourne to the stunning Bellarine Peninsula, a 40-minute ferry ride from Queenscliff to Sorrento, a 90-minute ferry ride from Melbourne’s Docklands that goes direct to Portarlington, or a 30-minute drive from Geelong, there’s no excuse to miss experiencing this brand-new festival experience. As a bonus, festival-goers are offered a return deal for the Sorrento to Queenscliff ferry which you can check out here.
There are no designated car parking areas at the Festival, but Queenscliff is a small town and street parking is usually available (some subject to limitations) just a short walk to the festival site. During the weekend, electronic signs will be maintained and updated with parking availability.
If you want to leave the car at home, buses are running from Geelong or the Bellarine Peninsula via local McHarry’s Buslines with extended services throughout the event including late-night services. A Festival shuttle bus will operate between Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Portarlington, Leopold, Drysdale and Geelong over the Festival weekend.
Accessibility
Music festivals often pose significant limitations to accessibility, often take place on grassy areas, which can be difficult to navigate using mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
By The Pier have a number of accessible options as part of the festival, including two accessible toilets are located within the main Festival precinct.
There is accessible parking on Gellibrand St. Head north on Gellibrand St off King St. Show your parking permit to the Traffic Management officer at roadblock to access the parking area. There is also accessible car parks throughout the town, including the main street (Hesse St), that are close to QMF street venues.
Where To Stay
One thing to remember though is booking accommodation ahead of your trip is a must. With a bunch of caravan parks, hotels and motels available, this entire town is completely catered to bringing you, your family and friends the ultimate festival experience.
If camping is your vibe, there are a number of option nearby, including the Queenscliffe Tourisk Parks in both Queenscliff and Lonsdale for powered sites with bigger tents and vehicles; Beacon Big 4 Point Lonsdale for powered site camping and resort-style options just 2.5km from the festival site; and Big4 Bellarine which is 10.5K from Festival and features lots of options with buses from Geelong during Festival.
If camping isn’t quite your thing, we recommend checking out Airbnb where you’ll find a range of different private rooms, entire houses, cottages and apartments that are still available for the weekend. It’s best to get in early though!
Otherwise have a look at the local hotels, motels and inns around the area. Our favourites include Vue Grand, Circa 1902, Athelstane House, Benambra BnB, Point Lonsdale Guest House and Ocean Grove Cedar Cabins.
What Else To Do
Most importantly, the festival is about exploring the town and immersing yourself in Queenscliff as much as in the festival itself.
If you’re between acts, don’t forget to take your time and really explore the beach and beloved town.
The list of things to see and do in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale is virtually endless – wineries, heritage walks, fishing, diving, golf, Marine National Parks and popular boutique markets with fresh local produce and crafts. Enjoy romantic getaways at the classic hotels.
Wine and dine in the gourmet cafés and restaurants, discover the Artist Trail or visit the art galleries for outstanding local art, or shop in the retail precincts at the harbour, in Hesse Street and the Point Lonsdale village strip. While you’re there, make sure you set aside a night to watch sensational sunsets over Swan Bay.
Those with a passion for history will enjoy a visit to the historic fort and maritime museum or a nostalgic train ride on an old steam train through the Bellarine countryside. For the adventurous, swim with dolphins and seals, learn to surf or take an Eco tour and learn about the Port Philip Marine Park. You can even try your luck fishing off the pier or take a charter for a true game fishing experience if you’re feeling it.
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There’s so much to do in the beautiful coastal village of Queenscliff, and this festival is giving you the perfect excuse to explore it all for yourself.
So go on, what are you waiting for?!
By The Pier takes place from March 25-27 2022 at the same location as the Queenscliff music festival. Single-day tickets are available for $79 and Weekend tickets from $199. Tickets here.
