There’s something pretty special about finishing the year with an ocean swim, especially when it’s at one of Victoria’s most beautiful coastal spots.
The Rip View Swim Classic brings more than 1,000 swimmers to Point Lonsdale on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula each December for a morning of swimming, sunshine and good old-fashioned seaside fun. With three distances on offer, 600m, 1.4km and 3.8km, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re dipping your toes into your first ocean swim or looking to finish the year with a longer coastal challenge.
Set against the backdrop of the famous entrance to Port Phillip Bay, known as ‘The Rip’, this swim offers a surprisingly sheltered experience. While the nearby Rip is renowned for its powerful currents, the event courses sit inside Lonsdale Bay, where the shallow, clear waters are generally protected from the prevailing winds and ocean swell. It’s a beautiful stretch of coastline to explore from the water.
The courses follow the natural curve of Lonsdale Bay, giving swimmers a scenic journey along the shoreline rather than the usual laps around a square course. There’s also the much-loved 600m Groyne2Groyne Legends handicap event, which brings together young swimmers aged 10 to 15 and well-known swimming legends, including the likes of Sam Sheppard, for a fun and memorable swim.
As the second event in the Great Victorian Swim Series, the Rip View Swim Classic is a fantastic way to keep the summer swimming momentum going after Boxing Day. Expect plenty of familiar faces, a welcoming community atmosphere and lots of encouragement from the beach.
And once you’ve crossed the finish line? You’re already in one of the Bellarine Peninsula’s best seaside towns, with cafés, coastal walks and plenty of spots to settle in for a post-swim coffee. Not a bad way to spend one of the last mornings of the year.
The 1.4km course takes swimmers on a scenic point-to-point journey through the sheltered waters of Lonsdale Bay. Starting at the Springs car park, swimmers follow the natural curve of Lonsdale Bay, navigating a series of marker buoys, including three large cone buoys, before finishing at the iconic Swings on Point Lonsdale’s main beach.
With beautiful coastal views along the way, it’s a great middle-distance option for swimmers looking to enjoy a rewarding open water swim in generally protected bay conditions.
The 3.8km course takes swimmers on a spectacular point-to-point journey along the sheltered shoreline of the Queenscliff–Lonsdale spit. Starting at Santa Casa Beach, just outside Queenscliff, swimmers follow a series of marker buoys along the shallow waters of Lonsdale Bay, passing the Springs car park before joining the 1.4km course.
From here, the course follows the natural curve of the coastline, navigating additional marker buoys before finishing at the iconic Swings on Point Lonsdale’s main beach. With beautiful coastal scenery and the potential for fast, tide-assisted conditions, it’s a rewarding challenge for experienced open water swimmers looking to take on a longer distance.
From here swimmers will swim along the 1.4 km Rip View Swim Classic course before finishing at Point Lonsdale Front Beach.
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The Rip View Swim Classic takes place in the sheltered waters of Lonsdale Bay at Point Lonsdale, just inside the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Despite its proximity to the notoriously powerful waters of The Rip, the swim courses are positioned in a more protected section of the bay, away from the main shipping channel and strongest tidal flows.
Swimmers can generally expect clean, relatively shallow water, with less swell than an exposed ocean beach. Water temperatures around Point Lonsdale in late December are typically in the mid-to-high teens Celsius, although conditions vary from year to year. Wind, tides and local currents can still influence the swim, so it’s worth checking the forecast and listening carefully to the event briefing.
The sheltered setting makes the shorter distances appealing to newer ocean swimmers, while the longer 3.8km course offers a rewarding challenge for those comfortable swimming further in open water. Whatever your distance, expect a scenic swim with the Bellarine coastline alongside you.
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The Rip View Swim Classic is held at Point Lonsdale, on the southern tip of Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, approximately 30 minutes from Geelong and around 90 minutes to two hours from Melbourne by car, depending on traffic.
Parking: Event parking is available near the 1.4km swim starting point, with additional parking options around Point Lonsdale and surrounding streets. Spaces can fill quickly during the busy summer holiday period, so arrive early, follow event signage and allow extra time to get to your starting point.
Shuttle Bus Service: A dedicated shuttle bus service will operate throughout the day, making it easy for swimmers to get between key event locations. Buses will connect the Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry Terminal in Queenscliff, the 1.4km swim start (and event parking), the 3.8km swim start and the Event Centre/Finish Line precinct.
Public Transport: From Melbourne, take a V/Line train to Geelong, then connect with a local bus service towards Point Lonsdale or Queenscliff. Swimmers travelling via the Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry can also take advantage of the event shuttle service from the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal. Check Public Transport Victoria and ferry timetables when planning your journey.
Once you’ve finished your swim, there’s no need to rush off. Point Lonsdale is the kind of seaside town that practically insists you slow down, grab a coffee and enjoy the view. Wander into the village for breakfast, catch up with your swim mates over a post-swim feed or find a spot along the foreshore to soak up the summer atmosphere.
If you’ve still got some energy left, take a stroll along the Point Lonsdale promenade towards the iconic Point Lonsdale Lighthouse, where you’ll find spectacular views across the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. You can also explore the nearby rock pools at low tide, relax on the beach or simply watch the ships navigating The Rip. It’s a beautiful stretch of coastline, and well worth exploring beyond the swim.
For those making a day of it, nearby Queenscliff is just a short drive away, with its historic streets, boutique shops, waterfront cafés and harbour precinct. Or venture further along the Bellarine Peninsula to Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads for more beaches, coastal walks and great places to eat.
Swim in the morning, explore the Bellarine in the afternoon and finish the day with a sunset by the water. That’s summer swimming done right.
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