Point Cook sits on the western shore of Port Phillip Bay, a fast-growing suburb on flat basalt plains between Werribee and Altona. The land here is open and windswept, with long views across the water to the city skyline. It is not a destination for twisty roads, but it has some surprising history.
RAAF Base Williams at Point Cook is regarded as the birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force, and military flying began here in 1914. The RAAF Museum displays aircraft from the earliest days to the jet age and is worth a visit for anyone with an interest in aviation. Nearby, Point Cook Coastal Park and the Cheetham Wetlands protect saltmarsh, lagoons and a remarkable range of birdlife, including migratory shorebirds.
As a start and fuel stop, Point Cook is practical. There are plenty of service stations, cafés and shopping centres, and the Princes Freeway provides quick access west towards Geelong and the Great Ocean Road. Morning traffic can be heavy, especially heading towards the city, but the outbound direction is usually clear.
Wind is the main riding consideration here. The plains are exposed, and strong gusts off the bay can push a bike around, especially on the freeway. Once you head west towards the Otways, the landscape becomes more varied, with forests, hills and the coast offering some of Victoria's finest riding. Point Cook is the calm beginning of a big day.