A 4-day family beach trip in Ocean Grove
- Itineraries
- A 4-day family beach trip in Ocean Grove
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Suggested Time: 4 days, 3 nights
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Melbourne to Ocean Grove
Couples and families have been escaping to Ocean Grove's 2-kilometre-long stretch of golden sand and surf for decades. But there’s much more to be discovered beyond the dunes. Spend four days learning to surf, splashing at Victoria’s largest water theme park, dining at family-friend eateries and sharing incredible local produce at this beachside family favourite on The Bellarine.
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1Day One - Morning
Start your trip towards Ocean Grove. Take a break from driving and have a pitstop at the Geelong Waterfront Visitor Information Centre inside The…
Start your trip towards Ocean Grove. Take a break from driving and have a pitstop at the Geelong Waterfront Visitor Information Centre inside The Carousel on Geelong’s waterfront. Chat with the volunteers and get tips for your travels or inspiration for your next visit to the region before continuing the 25 minutes to Ocean Grove.
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1 Eastern Beach Road Get Directions
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1800755611
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Website
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2
Day One - Afternoon
As you start to spot the coastal Moonah Woodland trees, it’s a sign you’ve arrived at Ocean Grove. These once extensive trees are now classified as…
As you start to spot the coastal Moonah Woodland trees, it’s a sign you’ve arrived at Ocean Grove. These once extensive trees are now classified as endangered and are an important habitat for Long-nosed Bandicoot, Southern Forest Bat, Black Wallaby and Southern Grass Skink.
Head straight to the Riverview Family Caravan Park to check in, park the car and settle into your stay. Here you can choose from one, two and three-bedroom cabins, some located right on the waterfront, and grassy and generously sized powered and unpowered camping sites as a more budget-friendly option. Cabins start from $122 p/night and camping sites from $40 p/night (unpowered).
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Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove Road Get Directions
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0352561600
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Website
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3
Day One - Dinner
Leave the car at the caravan park and take the 17-minute stroll towards The Terrace – the main shopping and dining strip in town. Look out for…
Leave the car at the caravan park and take the 17-minute stroll towards The Terrace – the main shopping and dining strip in town. Look out for Blackman’s Brewery & Burger Bar where you’ll find treats for the small kids and the grown-up ones (that’s you!). Choose from tacos, burgers, chips and burrito bowls and wash it down with your choice from around a dozen craft beers made by the Blackman’s Brewery team.
If you’re back in time before sunset, head to the riverside of the caravan park to watch golden hour over the Barwon River before ambling back to bed.-
82 The Terrace Get Directions
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0352563735
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Website
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4
Day Two - Breakfast
Wake up bright and early and stroll the short walk back to The Terrace – this time to The Driftwood Café for breakfast. Carb load on the local…
Wake up bright and early and stroll the short walk back to The Terrace – this time to The Driftwood Café for breakfast. Carb load on the local favourite of corn fritters, served with avocado, roasted capsicum relish, corn salsa, rocket and cucumber salad. Or maybe European-style pancakes or the classic smashed avo is more your style? Fill up and caffeinate for a day of activities ahead.
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64 The Terrace Get Directions
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(03) 5255 1832
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Website
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5
Day Two - Morning
Don your swimmers, grab a towel and make your way to Go Ride a Wave at Ocean Grove Main Beach for an 11am surf class ($84 per person). Over two hours…
Don your swimmers, grab a towel and make your way to Go Ride a Wave at Ocean Grove Main Beach for an 11am surf class ($84 per person). Over two hours the team will get you standing on the board and on your way to catching waves just like Mick Fanning.
The 2-kilometre-long sandy stretch of Ocean Grove Main Beach is a popular spot to learn to surf with its generally calmer waves and that’s patrolled during peak season (from around November to April each year).
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28 Surf Beach Road Get Directions
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1300132441
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Website
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6
Day Two - Lunch
After working up your appetite learning to surf, wander up the beach to the modern curved building overlooking the beach: also known as The Dunes.…
After working up your appetite learning to surf, wander up the beach to the modern curved building overlooking the beach: also known as The Dunes. Here you can share a range of wood-fired pizzas or dine on a mix of cuisines like Chicken Cotoletta or baked Barramundi. If you’d prefer to take your food back to the beach, you can grab something to-go from their takeaway kiosk (chips anyone?) to watch as the waves you just conquered roll in.
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Surf Beach Road Get Directions
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0352553122
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Website
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7
Day Two - Afternoon & Evening
On your way back to the caravan park, stop by The Terrace to pick up some supplies for a BBQ dinner later. It’s a 35-minute round trip from beach, to…
On your way back to the caravan park, stop by The Terrace to pick up some supplies for a BBQ dinner later. It’s a 35-minute round trip from beach, to The Terrace, to the Riverview Family Caravan Park on foot.
Settle in for an evening at Riverview Family Caravan Park, enjoying the kid’s playground, skate ramp, basketball area and BBQ facilities – which includes a new wheelchair accessible BBQ.
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Day Two - Optional
If you’ve still got energy to burn, continue exploring the outdoors by heading to the Ocean Grove Nature Conservation Reserve. Most walks are…
If you’ve still got energy to burn, continue exploring the outdoors by heading to the Ocean Grove Nature Conservation Reserve. Most walks are suitable for young kids and entry-level hikers, and can be completed from 20 minutes to 1.5 hours return depending on the route. During school holidays Parks Victoria runs Junior Ranger programs to learn more about the wildlife native to this area.
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Info Road Get Directions
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Website
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Day Three - Morning
Get in the car and make a pitstop at Ket Baker for a light breakfast and coffee. Known for its 100% sourdough baked goods, the croissants are a…
Get in the car and make a pitstop at Ket Baker for a light breakfast and coffee. Known for its 100% sourdough baked goods, the croissants are a must-try to appreciate the five-day process that goes into making them. Let the kids wander the grounds, spot the peacocks and pet the goats and farm animals on the property.
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37 Grubb Road Get Directions
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Website
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10
Day Three - Mid-morning
Arrive at Adventure Park with the family when it opens at 10:00am – the early bird catches the worm. A go-to experience for families staying in the…
Arrive at Adventure Park with the family when it opens at 10:00am – the early bird catches the worm. A go-to experience for families staying in the region this is Victoria’s largest water theme park and a fun-filled day out guaranteed with over 20 attractions including 4 world record waterslides. Grab lunch onsite at one of the many onsite food and drink venues.
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1249 Bellarine Highway Get Directions
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0352507200
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Website
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Day Three: Afternoon & Dinner
Tired yet? Exploring the 16-acre park is thrilling, but tiring, work. Start the 10-minute drive back to the caravan park. An afternoon nap, or a…
Tired yet? Exploring the 16-acre park is thrilling, but tiring, work. Start the 10-minute drive back to the caravan park. An afternoon nap, or a relaxed beach splash might be in order.
Then head to the newly renovated Ocean Grove Bowling Club for some comfort meals in the bistro and a few relaxed games of barefoot bowls. If the kids aren’t liking the lawn bowls, there’s also pickleball on most days on the outdoor greens which can be booked online.
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18 The Terrace Get Directions
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0352551540
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Website
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12
Day Four: Morning
Finish off your last day with an early breakfast at Garage, which true to its namesake is a former mechanics turned trendy café. Back up your early…
Finish off your last day with an early breakfast at Garage, which true to its namesake is a former mechanics turned trendy café. Back up your early meal with a walk around the Bluff Circuit Walk (the full walk is a 7-kilometre circuit) or stop and return at any point. This is a great option if you’ve got your bikes to speed up the journey on the gravel and paved trail until you reach the stairs ascending to The Bluff. Take one last look around this scenic spot and the viewing points of the Barwon River estuary and where the twin towns of Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove meet, before your holiday ends.
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15 Lelean Street Get Directions
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Website
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13
Day Four - Check out & First pitstop
Finish packing up and those last pre-travel car checks before checking out (before 10:00am) and starting the journey back home. But not before one…
Finish packing up and those last pre-travel car checks before checking out (before 10:00am) and starting the journey back home. But not before one last pitstop!
Tucked off Grubb Road in Ocean Grove is an industrial precinct with some surprising hidden gems. In the early hours of the morning, Lard Ass makes hand-crafted and cultured butters that are shipping all over the country. Visit their tasting room (9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday) to try some of the seven flavours available and grab a few to take home.
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10-11 Sykes Place Get Directions
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Website
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14
Day Four - Final pitstop
At My Bellarine Kitchen a block away you can pick up coffee, handmade treats like yo-yos, sponge cakes and scones. Be sure to try their specialty,…
At My Bellarine Kitchen a block away you can pick up coffee, handmade treats like yo-yos, sponge cakes and scones. Be sure to try their specialty, the Dobos Torte – an 8-layer Hungarian cake that draws people from all over the country. You’ll find plenty of options at these two stops to fuel your drive home or stock the fridge when you arrive. No better way to remember your trip than with a tasty snack.
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3/7 Smithton Grove Get Directions
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0491757647
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Website
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Highlights of itinerary
• Learn to surf at Ocean Grove Main Beach
• Splash about at Victoria’s largest water theme park
• Sip on locally crafted beer
• Stay at a perfectly positioned park minutes from the beach
Please note: This itinerary is best enjoyed between November and April when attractions are open for the warmer months and beaches are patrolled by lifeguards.
Getting to Ocean Grove
Located on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, Ocean Grove is a 30-minute drive south-east of Geelong or 1 hour and 45 minutes south-west of Melbourne.
Avalon Airport is the closest airport, which is just 25 minutes from Geelong and has regular flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Gold Coast. Hire cars are available to be picked up from the airport when booked in advance.
Or you can take the car on a 45-minute trip across the bay with Searoad Ferries, departing regularly from Sorrento to Queenscliff – which is an additional 15-minute drive to Ocean Grove.
Wherever you’re travelling from, we want you to arrive safely. Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) Pause Stop campaign provides some great tips on travelling by car to ensure you reach your destination safely:
- Plan a pause from the road every two hours
- Get enough sleep before driving
- Avoid driving late at night
- Don't travel for more than 8 - 10 hours a day
- Share the driving wherever possible
- Don't drink alcohol before your trip
- Take a 15-minute powernap if you feel drowsy
- Grab a coffee to recharge
Our Visitor Information Centre (VIC) located at The Carousel in Geelong is a Pause Stop location. Take a break at the VIC, grab a coffee from a nearby business and get some tips from locals for the rest of your travels.
To find out more about the TAC Pause Stop Campaign please visit TAC Pause Stop Campaign.
Geelong Waterfront Visitor Information Centre
Open 10:00am to 4:00pm daily, seven days a week (excluding Christmas Day).
A: 1 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong
P: 1800 755 611 (free call)
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