Around the Bay in a Day
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Around Port Phillip Bay by Public Transport 250 km, Sunday timetables, trains + buses + the ferry—here’s how it went (and what I’d do differently next time).
A sunny day plus free public transport in Victoria. So I set myself a mission: get around Port Phillip Bay in a single day using only public transport (plus the ferry across the Heads). No car, no shortcuts—just a big loop and a timetable.
It was a Sunday, which meant less frequent services and tighter connections. But after a bit of research, it looked doable—as long as everything ran on time and I kept moving.
Leg 1: Deer Park to Geelong (V/Line)
The first key move was getting to Deer Park Station to change onto a Geelong‑bound V/Line service. Deer Park. So named because Simon Staughton, white pastoralist of the 1800's use to keep deer there for hunting.
Deer Park is a junction: one branch heads to Geelong, the other continues toward Ballarat, Maryborough and Ararat. The station itself is relatively new. It was rebuilt as an elevated “sky rail” station as part of the Victorian State Government's level crossing removal program.
On this corridor you can really see the network straining at the seams: longer V/Line trains are becoming the norm, and some platforms need extra length to accommodate them. Even small shortfalls matter when you’re trying to run more passengers through fast‑growing suburbs.
We are getting newer extended trains comprising of three sets of DMUs. The only problem is the station is short by about 10 metres off the required 210 metres to accommodate the new trains. The station platform is being extended to fit.
After Deer Park, the line cuts through industry and then into the booming new housing estates around Wyndham Vale and Tarneit. The growth out here is obvious and so is the demand. It’s one of the busiest parts of the V/Line network, and it feels like an area that could eventually justify higher‑capacity metro‑style services.
We rolled into Geelong through the industrial north and pulled up at Geelong Station with its handsome brickwork, generous verandas, and that late‑1800s confidence you see in so many Victorian rail buildings.
Leg 2: Geelong to Queenscliff (Route 56 bus)
I only had about 10 minutes before the Route 56 bus, so Geelong was basically a short stop. The bus was well patronised with only a couple of empty seatsas it worked its way down to Queenscliff, with a small diversion via Barwon Heads.
In Queenscliff we arrived about 40 minutes before the ferry departure. That was enough time to grab tickets online and do the essential coastal ritual: fish and chips for lunch.
Leg 3: Queenscliff to Sorrento (the ferry across the Heads)
Boarding was easy: my phone’s QR code was scanned and we were on. With plenty of space available, I started on the top deck outside to soak up the weather, then moved down a level for some shade and a great view of the wake.
No dolphins this time, but as we approached Sorrento a couple of jet skis appeared, surfing the ferry’s waves. The only real chaos came from a chorus of car alarms, followed by an intercom request for the owners of a black Mercedes and a black Volvo to come and turn them off.
Watching the ferry dock at Sorrento feels like threading a needle. Once the ramp dropped, cars streamed off in minutes. I disembarked, took a short walk along the beach, then headed up toward the shops to line up the next connection.
I even managed to squeeze in an ice cream before the next bus. I finished the last bite almost exactly as it pulled in. Sometimes the timetable gods smile on you.
Leg 4: Sorrento to Frankston (Route 788 bus)
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Route 788 then trundled along the bay for about an hour and a half. It was easily the longest single leg of the day. We slowed down around Mt Martha for no obvious reason, which is exactly the sort of small delay that makes (or breaks) a Sunday loop attempt.
The 788 is a long route. If I had more time, I would have broken the journey by getting off at Blairgowie for a short beach walk or coffee or both.
Leg 5: Frankston line to the city (Train)
From Frankston, I took the train toward the city. The elevated sections created by the level crossing removal program give surprisingly good views, and Carrum stood out in particular.
The train journey was coloured by a man with some obvious mental health issues. He was randomly shouting and trying to kick the train window out. The other passengers gave him space by congregating at the other end on the carriage. He appeared mostly harmless. Some more passengers got on which prompted some more erratic behaviours. He tried kicking one man from behind. This sparked a minor altercation. They got off at the next station. The other man became more agitated. This sparked a call to the police.
Leg 6: Home
I hopped off at Southern Cross for the last train home, and the contrast was immediate: quieter, smoother, and with that end‑of‑day feeling that you’ve pulled off something slightly ridiculous.
The score
I left home at 9:00am, got back around 7:00pm—about 250 km around the bay on Sunday timetables, using trains, buses and the ferry. All quite doable.
Tips if you want to try it
- Start early—Sunday connections don’t leave much slack or choose week day which gives more buses.
- Check the bus timetables in advance (and have a backup plan if you miss one).
- Buy the ferry ticket online to save time at Queenscliff.
- Bring water, sunscreen and a layer—the weather on the bay can change quickly.
- If you’re aiming for a “one‑day loop,” keep stops short (or build extra buffer time and accept you might finish later).
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If you like long, logistics‑heavy day trips and you’re happy to treat the journey as the destination, absolutely. Next time I’d give myself more breathing room in Geelong or Sorrento—but there’s something satisfying about watching the map close into a loop.