Drysdale: History, Food and Creative Experiences

In Drysdale, local history, a former railway route and food- and pottery-related activities come together. Experiences range from the Old Courthouse to a tasting aboard a restored historic train. If you’re looking for a hotel, consider whether you want to focus your trip primarily on history, food or activities you can take part in yourself. The specific local examples can help you decide.

Local history and railway connections

The Old Courthouse at 11 High Street, 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 located in the Old Courthouse. If you’re planning a museum visit, please check current opening hours in advance.

The Bellarine Rail Trail reaches Drysdale and continues on to Queenscliff. It follows the former railway line between Geelong and Queenscliff and runs through the town. The trail is a route with a direct connection to the former railway, while the Old Courthouse, as a single historic building, offers a different way to explore local history. If you’re interested in both, you can include them as separate items in your travel plans.

The Drysdale Railway Station Picnic Area features a historic railway station and a children’s playground. This brings a connection to history and a playground together in one place. It’s a specific option for families who would like to include a playground in their outing plans; the station also adds to Drysdale’s railway connections.

Food and creative classes

The Q Train departs from Drysdale and offers a five-course tasting aboard a restored historic train. The scenic journey runs along the historic Bellarine Railway. This experience differs from the Bellarine Rail Trail: The Q Train focuses on tasting and the train journey, while the trail follows the former railway line. Check current departure times and dates in advance if you’re planning a trip.

The Harvest Experience Cooking School also holds cooking classes in Drysdale. A garden-to-plate class uses produce from the school’s kitchen garden and orchard; classes also include cheesemaking and seasonal cooking. The cooking school therefore offers a different focus from the tasting aboard the train: here, ingredients and preparation are at the heart of the class format.

Hazy Tales Studio holds public and private pottery events in Drysdale. It also offers ongoing weekly classes for adults. This broadens the range of hands-on activities: the cooking school focuses on food and preparation, while Hazy Tales Studio is all about working with clay. The weekly adult classes are a separate format alongside the public and private pottery events.

Planning a stay in Drysdale

These different focuses can help guide your choice of hotel in Drysdale: local history, tasting aboard the train, cooking classes or pottery. This lets you treat local history and the various activities as separate items in your plans, rather than assuming there’s only one reason to stay.

Discover more destinations: Tyabb, Cape Schanck, Leongatha South, Tatura, Leongatha, Axedale, Boneo, Longwood.

For the broader travel guide: Victoria.