Discover Drysdale

Several different themes come together in Drysdale: local history, a historic railway line, culinary offerings and pottery classes. If you’re planning a stay, you can first consider which of these is most important to your trip.

Courthouse and railway station history

The Old Courthouse at 11 High Street in Drysdale opened in October 1888. The Bellarine Historical Society converted the building into a community-based museum showcasing the history of the Bellarine Peninsula. The museum is housed in the Old Courthouse. The historic building is therefore also a tangible point of reference for local and regional history.

The Drysdale Railway Station Picnic Area offers a different perspective on the past: the site includes a historic railway station and a children’s playground. The courthouse and railway station represent different architectural and historical themes in Drysdale. If you’re interested in the town’s history, you can include these two points of interest in your travel plans without treating them as a single attraction.

Railway line and Bellarine Rail Trail

The Bellarine Rail Trail passes through Drysdale and continues on to Queenscliff. Its route follows the former railway line between Geelong and Queenscliff. This connection places Drysdale on a longer route: the town lies along the trail as it runs from Geelong towards Queenscliff. The route’s former use as a railway line is part of its history, while Rail Trail is the name used for the path today.

These locations are especially helpful for getting your bearings: Drysdale is a point on the trail, Queenscliff lies further along it, and Geelong is part of the historic railway connection. This is a different way to explore railway history than visiting the Old Courthouse or the station in the Picnic Area. If you’d like to consider Drysdale not just as a name on a map, but in connection with the Bellarine Railway, the route offers a useful point of reference.

Tastings and cooking classes

The Q Train departs from Drysdale. The experience includes a five-course tasting menu aboard a restored historic train, on a scenic journey along the historic Bellarine Railway. This combines a departure from Drysdale with a culinary experience during the train ride. When choosing an experience, it’s useful to distinguish this format from a cooking class: The Q Train focuses on dining aboard the train.

The Harvest Experience Cooking School runs cooking classes in Drysdale. Its offerings include a garden-to-plate class featuring produce from its own kitchen garden and orchard. Cheesemaking and seasonal cooking are also among the class topics. If you’re particularly interested in where ingredients come from or in specific cooking topics, these details provide concrete guidance for choosing a suitable class. The school therefore offers a different culinary focus from the tasting experience on the train.

Pottery events and weekly classes

Hazy Tales Studio hosts public and private pottery events in Drysdale. The studio also offers ongoing weekly classes for adults. Events and regular classes are different formats. If a class or event determines when you travel, check the specific dates before booking your hotel.

Drysdale’s offerings therefore cover a range of interests: the courthouse and historic railway station offer connections to local history, the Bellarine Rail Trail follows a former railway line, and the culinary and creative offerings range from a tasting experience to cooking and pottery classes. You can then choose hotels for your stay based on your travel dates and the activities that matter most to you.

Discover more destinations: Acheron, Kangaroo Flat, Kyabram, Tinamba, Taminick, Ballarat, Gorae West, Riddells Creek

For the main travel overview: Victoria.