Breezy Sailing Day Trips From Port Melbourne

Whilst sailing may not be your first thought when someone mentions Melbourne, it is a port city, which means it has sailed in its bones. Particularly the suburb Port Melbourne, which is a nautical doorstep to everything Port Phillip Bay has to offer. 

First things first, you need a vessel. As the captain, it’s up to you to find the right one, whether by scouring the net for the best boats for sale online or by taking advice from friends and family. Are you opting for luxury or practicality? Either way, once you’ve settled on a vessel, you might seek inspiration for where to set off.

So you find yourself here, reading this brief but helpful guide to breezy sailing trips from Port Melbourne. We will give you some suggestions of where you can comfortably travel in a day.

Geelong

A great day trip to christen your vessel is to take it for a day trip to visit Victoria’s second-largest city, Geelong. It’s a city with a long-standing boating love typified by its quaint harbour. Docking here allows you to enjoy not only Geelong but also the wine-making region that surrounds it. And if the footy season is in full swing, sailing to Geelong to catch a match at Kardinia Park is one way to avoid the chaos that commuting fans invariably bring. 

If you plan to take this day trip in the offseason, we recommend you time it when Geelong hosts the Festival of Sails. It’s Australia’s largest regatta, in case you need convincing. And if you’ve always dreamt of competing in one, this is your perfect opportunity, with races that cater to all skill levels. 

The Bellarine Peninsula

Suppose you enjoyed Geelong but needed to explore Port Phillip Bay’s western region more. In that case, exploring the Bellarine Peninsula is worth your time and effort. The only challenge is deciding where to begin.

Visiting Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale on the same day is a good place to start. Given that they’re nautical next-door neighbours, where you start doesn’t matter. They both have history, whether it’s Fort Queenscliff, the military museum, or the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse, whose iconic appearance might’ve compelled you to sail in this direction even if you didn’t know any better. 

They’re also home to exceptional beaches—both bayside and Bass Strait side—so you're in the right place if catching the rays and a swim are non-negotiables.  

The Mornington Peninsula

The Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip Bay’s south-eastern corner, also deserves your time. And like the Bellarine, you won’t be able to visit everywhere in a day. From brilliant places to eat and drink among the wealthy to places of natural beauty that remind you how unique Australia’s flora and fauna are, you’ll have no trouble unfolding a day that lasts long in memory. 

If you want to get intimate with the local wildlife, then it’s worth taking a guided tour. This will guarantee an introduction to three of Port Phillip Bay’s best-loved residents: the super-friendly Burrunan dolphins, the equally friendly and playful Australian fur seals, and the Australasian diving gannets. 

If you’re the type who fancies a stunning view—and who doesn’t—then set aside a few hours to hike up to Murray Lookout. From here, you’ll get arguably the best view of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne. And when you’re done admiring the view, you can cool down and reward yourself with a few ales at the St Andrews Beach Brewery. 

St Kilda to Brighton

If your idea of a breezy sailing day trip involves less sailing and more mingling, why not keep the travel to a minimum and sail down the road to St Kilda and Brighton? Docking at St Kilda is the ideal spot to enjoy the inner-south suburbs of Melbourne. Between these two suburbs, in particular, is enough to fill a day out and then some. 

St Kilda has the energy, from Luna Park to the backpacker crowds. Brighton, of course, has its famous beach huts. And then there’s Elwood in the middle. This stretch of bay has plenty of world-class waterfront restaurants for you to enjoy an entire afternoon and evening. All you need to do is choose the best seafood banquet and bottle of wine, and you’re sorted. 

This is the tip of the iceberg, not gospel. That’s the beauty of Port Phillip Bay. You can sail in any direction and find adventure. And if it sparks your imagination toward further adventure, the great thing is you can sail east or west from the bay and find brilliant, captivating places. It’s up to you. 

If you’re new to sailing, take advantage of what the bay can teach you. Then, embrace your inner pirate—minus the mutiny—and go wherever you want.