SORRENTO
Sorrento is a short Ferry ride from
Queenscliff. Hence the visit. When in Queenscliff it is recommended
our travelers take the ferry trip to the other side of the bay to
Sorrento this is a three hour return journey. Just enough time to
enjoy lunch or a few refreshments.
Sorrento itself is home to the blue
blood of old Victoria and exudes wealth.
In 1803, 30
years before the founding of Melbourne, Sullivan Bay in Sorrento
became the site of Victoria's first European settlement.
Due to a lack of
fresh water the settlement was short lived and subsequently moved to
Hobart in Tasmania. Victoria's first magistrates' court, public
hospital, postal service and government printing office were
established in Sorrento. The first Victorian wedding, christening and
funeral services were held at Sullivan’s Bay.
The first
settlement site overlooking Sullivan’s Bay includes graves believed to
be of first settlers.
A horse and
steam powered tram which ran between the foreshore and the back beach
opened in 1890 and closed in 1920.
The town has a
number of grand historic homes and hotels which date back to the
1860s, almost all of which have been constructed with local limestone.
The Mechanics' Institute, Sorrento was built in 1877 using local
limestone and the building, which is now classified by the National
Trust of Australia, houses the Nepean Historical Society's museum.
The Sorrento War
Memorial has a waterfront outlook.
The Sorrento
Hotels are grand tourist venues. 
The Sorrento
United Church is a century plus structure.
There is much to
offer from Sorrento including the famous back beach.
Heritage diary
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