Explore the Bellarine Peninsula | Visit Geelong and The Bellarine

Q: 3. What are the best beaches on the Bellarine Peninsula?

Ocean Grove Main Beach is popular with families and beginners learning to surf, while Thirteenth Beach attracts more experienced surfers. Point Lonsdale Back Beach is another option for confident surfers, but its strong permanent rips mean extra caution is needed. Always check conditions and swim between the flags at patrolled beaches. Point Lonsdale Front Beach and Portarlington Front Beach are among the best family-friendly beaches. For fur parents, The Bellarine has dog-friendly beaches with long stretches of sand for morning or afternoon zoomies.

A Peninsula Packed with Personality

A heritage train ride, fresh mussels straight from the bay, a round of golf, or a glass of pinot noir at a local cellar door. The Bellarine Peninsula has plenty of places to explore and experiences to add to your itinerary.

Some of the best days here revolve around the water, while others take you inland to vineyards, country roads and little towns. With a variety of things to do and places to stay, the Bellarine Peninsula makes it easy to swap the everyday for something a little more memorable.

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Things to do
Eat and Drink
Stay
Destinations
FAQs

Things to do

There's more to The Bellarine than its coastline. Spend time on the walking trails, visit local makers and growers, or head into one of the towns for a meal, a market or a look around. There's enough variety here to keep you busy well beyond a single visit.

There's enough variety here to keep you busy well beyond a single visit.

Discover nine of the best things to do on the Bellarine Peninsula here.

See & do

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Eat and Drink

Sampling local seafood, visiting cellar doors and farm gates, or stopping at a café for a bite are just some of the things to do in Bellarine Peninsula, with a variety of regional flavours to try along the way.

Here you'll find some of the best seafood (including the famed Australian blue mussels), wine and homegrown produce cooked up by award-winning chefs.

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The ultimate guide to golf on The Bellarine

On The Bellarine you'll find six esteemed golf courses all within a 35 minutes of each other.

9 stays on The Bellarine

The Bellarine is packed with fantastic places to stay, from cosy beachside escapes to stunning boutique retreats. Whether you're planning a relaxing weekend or an extended getaway, these spots are a …

Pet-friendly holidays in Geelong and The Bellarine

Bringing your furry best mate along? You’ll find plenty of dog-friendly spots in Geelong and The Bellarine to eat, stay, and play together.

Stay

Why rush home? Turn a day trip into a longer getaway with stays that put you close to the region’s beaches, villages, wineries, and attractions.

Whether you're metres from the beach or amongst the vines in your own bell tent, there is a stay for all occasions here.

Destinations

Each corner of The Bellarine has its own character, and you’re welcome to see it all at your own pace. Find the best things to do on the Bellarine Peninsula as you visit coastal towns, historic villages, and scenic inland landscapes.

Barwon Heads

Barwon Heads is a laid-back coastal town about 22 minutes from Geelong and 90 minutes from Melbourne. Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary has a clifftop track that offers views over Thirteenth Beach, Bass Strait, the river, and the town, while 17 hectares of reef below provide a protected habitat for marine life. Hitchcock Avenue is where you can round off the day, with boutique shops and restaurants beckoning you in for a shopping trip or a bite to eat.

Ocean Grove

While the beach draws visitors to Ocean Grove, there’s plenty to do beyond swimming and surfing. Take a stroll through the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve, then venture towards nearby Wallington for a day at Adventure Park, Victoria’s largest water theme park. The surrounding countryside is also home to wineries and golf courses, offering a change of pace before you return to Ocean Grove Main Beach for a refreshing dip or a stroll along the shore. The town is around 75 minutes by car from Melbourne and 21 minutes from Geelong.

Portarlington

Known as Australia’s mussel capital and named Victoria’s top small tourism town to visit in 2026, Portarlington brings together fresh seafood and cool-climate wines. Its north-facing foreshore looks towards Melbourne and the You Yangs, while the fertile basalt soils over limestone support vineyards known for pinot noir, shiraz, and chardonnay. Getting here is easy, too. Port Phillip Ferries runs direct services from Melbourne’s Docklands in around 70 minutes, while driving from Melbourne takes about 90 minutes.

Drysdale

Surrounded by rolling farmland, vineyards, and olive groves, Drysdale offers a taste of The Bellarine’s rural side, with local growers, food producers and cosy B&Bs dotted across the countryside. The calm waters of Port Phillip Bay are never far away, so you can pair time outdoors with fresh seafood and produce from the region. For a memorable meal, board The Q Train, which departs from Drysdale’s historic Bellarine Railway station for a five-course degustation served aboard a moving heritage train.

Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale

With more than a century of holidaymaking history, Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale offer two distinct ways to enjoy The Bellarine coast. Queenscliff’s grand Victorian-era hotels and heritage buildings give its streets a strong sense of history, while neighbouring Point Lonsdale draws families to its beaches, lighthouse, and relaxed seaside atmosphere. You can arrive by sea aboard Searoad Ferries, which connects Queenscliff with Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula in around 40 minutes. Bring the car or travel as a foot passenger, then spend the day visiting the towns at your own pace.

Towns and Villages

Away from the peninsula’s busier coastal towns, The Bellarine’s villages offer a quieter way to spend the day. St Leonards has a relaxed seaside feel, with a strong fishing culture and a laid-back pace. Nearby, Indented Head is home to The Ozone Shipwreck, the remains of a retired paddle steamer scuttled in 1925.

Destinations

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Bellarine Peninsula known for?

The Bellarine Peninsula is famous for its historic coastal towns, lively food and drink scene, and scenic coastline. Here, you’ll find surf beaches, coastal walking and cycling trails, seaside villages, and a community of local makers and growers.

2. How many days do you need on the Bellarine Peninsula?

One day is enough for a taste of The Bellarine, but two or three days allow you more time to experience a variety of things without rushing. We’ve put together a range of itineraries to help you make the most of your time, so you can plan your time around the places and experiences that interest you.

3. What are the best beaches on the Bellarine Peninsula?

Ocean Grove Main Beach is popular with families and beginners learning to surf, while Thirteenth Beach attracts more experienced surfers. Point Lonsdale Back Beach is another option for confident surfers, but its strong permanent rips mean extra caution is needed. Always check conditions and swim between the flags at patrolled beaches.

Point Lonsdale Front Beach and Portarlington Front Beach are among the best family-friendly beaches. For fur parents, The Bellarine has dog-friendly beaches with long stretches of sand for morning or afternoon zoomies.

4. Is the Bellarine Peninsula dog-friendly?

Yes, The Bellarine has several dog-friendly places to visit, although leash rules and seasonal restrictions vary. Year-round off-leash areas include designated sections of Ocean Grove and Thirteenth Beach, while Clifton Springs and Narrows Beach in Queenscliff also have dog-friendly stretches. Always check current signage and local restrictions before heading onto the beach.

5. Is the Bellarine Peninsula good for a day trip?

Yes. The Bellarine is easily accessible from Melbourne and can be reached by car, ferry or public transport. Spend the day around Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads, combine Portarlington’s waterfront with food and wine around Drysdale, or focus on the heritage streets and coastal scenery of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.

The Bellarine

Things to do

See & do

Adventure Flight Co

Tuckerberry Hill Berry Farm

Annie's Provedore & Produce Store Barwon Heads

Oneday Estate Winery and Function Centre

Great Private Tours - Bellarine

Leura Park Estate

Curlewis Golf Club & The Range at Curlewis The Bellarine

Adventure Park

Pop's Wine Bar

Hazy Tales Studio

Equilibrium Bellarine Massage Therapy

Flying Brick Cider House

Portarlington Golf Club

Ocean Grove Bowling Club

Portarlington Grand Hotel

Yes Bar

Bellarine Provedore

Oakdene Wines

Lard Ass Butter

Quiddity Place

Bellarine Adventure Golf

Circulus Wine

Jack Rabbit Vineyard

BellaMoora VIP Touring Experiences

Scotchmans Hill

Harvest Experience Cooking School

Ket Baker

Portarlington Mussel Tours

The Q Train

City Maps Illustrated

13th Beach Golf Links

Epic Taste Experiences

Eat and Drink

Leura Park Estate

Oakdene Wines

Jack Rabbit Vineyard

The Whiskery at the Bellarine Distillery

Scotchmans Hill

Annie's Provedore & Produce Store Barwon Heads

Bellarine Estate

Quiddity Place

Ket Baker

Lard Ass Butter

Portarlington Grand Hotel

Pier Street

FarmDog Brewing

Tuckerberry Hill Berry Farm

The Dunes Ocean Grove

Yes Bar

Harvest Experience Cooking School

Tommy Gunns Barwon Heads

Arlo

Pop's Wine Bar

At The Heads

The Q Train

Circulus Wine

Bellarine Provedore

Oneday Estate Winery and Function Centre

Flying Brick Cider House

Terindah Estate

The ultimate guide to golf on The Bellarine

9 stays on The Bellarine

Pet-friendly holidays in Geelong and The Bellarine

Stay

13th Beach Golf Lodges

Arlingtons Holiday Accommodation

BIG4 Bellarine Holiday Park

Barwon Heads Caravan Park

Barwon Heads Resort at 13th Beach

Bellarine Babymoon

Bellarine Holidays

Breamlea Caravan Park

Coastal Glamp

Kilmoyla Farm Stay

Ocean Breeze Family Getaway

Ocean Grove Holiday Park

Riverview Family Caravan Park