Swimming spots in the region

It’s summer and we’re more than ready to get wet and wild. Luckily Geelong and The Bellarine has swimming spots for all and is the perfect place to cool off and spend the day.

Let’s start in Geelong

With a string of palm trees along the waterfront, the tropical vibes are a given. Pack your bathers and jump right in at Eastern Beach. The enclosed sea baths with floating pontoons, diving boards and heaps of space to cut laps make for the perfect place to cool off.

Want to hit the beach, but don’t like the waves?

Safe swimming beaches can be found at Portarlington, Indented Head, St Leonards, Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and Barwon Heads. The wide, sheltered estuary flanked by sand flats, where the Barwon River flows out to sea, is a playground just made for some SUP (stand-up paddle board) action, rockpool rambling or sandcastle building.

Or, do you like a bit of action when you hit the coast?

Turn up the dial and follow the roar of the surf to Ocean Grove with its 10km of beach (Main Beach is patrolled in summer). With beautiful clean water, protected by a headland, this is one of the best places to learn to surf in Australia. Skilled instructors at Go Ride a Wave, SeaEarth Adventures or Great Ocean Road Surf Tours can get beginners standing up in no time.

If your skills are already sound, the swell is at its strongest at Point Lonsdale back beach and Thirteenth Beach, an exposed break near Barwon Heads.

If you want the action without navigating the surf, Adventure Park is the place for you. You and the family can make a gigantic splash on Victoria’s coolest waterslides and rides, such as the Tsunami and Tornado waterslides.

So whatever waterplay you choose this summer, Geelong and The Bellarine is waiting.

If a relaxing coastal drive is more your gear, this article suggests a driving route around the Bellarine.