Paradise On Your Doorstep

The breathtaking Bellarine Peninsula is the sophisticated and subtle high achiever nestled close to its more flashy and famous cousin, The Great Ocean Road.

Located less than 90 minutes from Melbourne, the coastal retreat hugs Port Phillip Bay and Bass Straight providing spectacular views and a treasure trove of stunning venues to eat, drink, exercise and be entertained. Perfect for a Sunday drive or weekend getaway!

Taking in well-known seaside towns Point Lonsdale, Portarlington, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads, the Bellarine also boasts lesser-known gems including Indented Head, St Leonards, Curlewis, and Drysdale.

So whether you’re driven by water sports or scenic hikes, prefer a gentle cruise in your luxury car along the coast and into the picturesque hinterland to experience the incredible local producers, or want to shift gears to enjoy a glorious spa experience, the options are endless.

Leading into summer, the allure of crystal-clear waters is hard to resist in the region. Ocean Grove Main Beach is sure to satisfy beginner to intermediate surfers and is the perfect place for families to gather on the vast stretches of sand and splash in the inviting cool waters.

For those hoping for more gnarly waves, then 13th Beach and the break at Point Lonsdale are both “Killer, Dude”. If your vibe's a little more relaxed, the lush local landscape's home to some of Victoria’s best winemakers, including 2023 Five Star James Halliday Wineries Scotchmans Hill, Lethbridge @ Hat Rock, Oakdene, and Banks Road.

Rows of vines also lace the hillsides overlooking the bay from Jack Rabbit Vineyard and Terindah Estate, where families, couples and friends can gather for casual or more formal locally sourced fare.

The House of Jack Rabbit has a casual vibe with a tastebudtempting menu, a glorious view, and gentle hills for little people to roll down. Jack Rabbit Restaurant is a delightfully refined and more formal experience.

And don’t let the name fool you... the walls of The Shed restaurant at Terindah Estate are glass, so you can eat with views of the vines and the bay beyond. Casual bites and drinks on the deck or by Peter’s Odyssey tram are a good low-key option.

It’s not just the calibre of the vineyards that is putting the Bellarine on the culinary map – the region is also expanding with boutique distilleries. Whisky and gin are the tipples of choice at The Whiskery, cellar door for Bellarine Distillery. Gin and rum can also be found at Thirty Acres Distillery, on site at Bellarine Estate.

The beautifully refurbished 134-year-old Portarlington Grand Hotel is a must-visit to take in the incredible blend of meticulously restored historic features and contemporary style. The hotel features 18 elegant new rooms to stay at, or simply dine in for fine food and cocktails.

If you’re on the move, one of the best recipes for a culinary journey through the Bellarine is exploring the plethora of local growers and artisans offering a delicious and personalised experience. Find them on the Bellarine Taste Trail – (thebellarinetastetrail.com.au).

Ket Baker is an artisan bakery with a big heart, situated in Wallington, just off the Bellarine Highway. Freshly baked flaky pastries beckon from this humble yet world-class Covid success story. While the freshest blueberries and strawberries are those you pick yourself at Tuckerberry Hill Berry Farm (blueberries - December to January, strawberries - October to December, February to March), non pickers can buy punnets or delicious berry products on site too.

For a first-class culinary experience showcasing an array of Bellarine produce and beverages, jump on the Q Train, a moving restaurant on an historic steam train.

Golfers can swing into any number of brilliant courses along the Bellarine. Three are rated in the Top 10 public courses in Australia and another two make the Top 30 (Golf Australia). 13th Beach Golf Links (now there's a Beach and Creek course) in Barwon Heads is home to the Vic Open, one of Australia's leading golf events.

If you're looking to work on skills, visit the impressive driving range at Curlewis Golf Club where balls are automatically teed up after each shot, or head to Australia's first links course at Barwon Heads Golf Club.

For those seeking more active pursuits, the famous Bellarine Rail Trail, traversing through Curlewis and Drysdale on its way to Queenscliff, is a much-loved path for riders and walkers.

Shoppers are spoilt for choice on the Bellarine with charming Barwon Heads Village the go-to destination for clothing, accessories, coveted homewares and pantry items.

Stores including Rigby’s Homewares, Kin + Ko, Kiitos, Annie’s Provedore, Barwon Heads Winestore and surf store Tonik draw customers from far and wide. Not to mention the old-school Barwon Heads Sweet Shop and Coffetti Gelato for the kids – and the young at heart!

Hidden away on a hill by the ocean in Point Lonsdale is the stunning, architecturally designed Lon Retreat & Spa, featuring seven luxurious suites, a mineral spa and next-level relaxation treatments.

There's always something new to see and do in and around the Bellarine, with an impressive all-year-round events calendar.

Mt Duneed Estate is home to the famous music festival, A Day on the Green series of concerts, featuring Crowded House on 19 November, The Killers on 10 December, and Sting on 25 February.

Motoring enthusiasts are set to take pole position at the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival on the picturesque waterfront from 25-27 November. More than 800 classic, quirky and exotic cars will be on display.

Portarlington swells on the second Saturday in January as thousands flock to the Portarlington Mussel Festival and Wonderland Speigeltent, offering an array of entertaining acts from 17 December to 29 January on the Barwon Heads foreshore.

Boasting a wide and eclectic selection of sights and delights, the Bellarine offers visitors as many or as few options as they feel like fitting into their trip. Many will surely return again and again to shop, eat, drink, listen, enjoy and explore the glorious coastal haven.

For more, see visitgeelongbellarine.com.au •