Loosen the belt

Restaurants here couldn’t be what they are without the makers and growers who've lovingly nurtured and perfected the most delectable produce in the country - menus boast the local bounty.

You can go straight to the source, meandering through lush hills to fill your basket with delicious warm bread, olive oils, succulent berries and the day’s catch. We’ll guide you to the culinary treasures.

Seafood lovers

With top quality fresh seafood on hand, it’s no surprise restaurants here champion so many fish, crustaceans and mollusc dishes. White Fisheries is The Bellarine’s hub of seafood, selling catch pulled from the sea that day.

If you like fish done differently, visit Bellarine Smokehouse where only salt and smoke are used to preserve their cured and smoked salmon, barramundi, trout, eel and Murray Cod.

Or for a hands-on and boutique experience, jump onboard the 3-hour Portarlington Mussel Tours to savour mussels fresh from the bay and cooked on deck. While dining on the luxe Huon pine vessel you'll learn all about the mussel harvesting process and see some of it firsthand. You might also get the chance to try Angasi oysters, scallops and abalone if you select the deluxe tour.

Bread & butter

Fresh bread with butter is one of life’s simple pleasures and it would be hard to find a more tasty combo than Ket Baker and Lard Ass Butter, five minutes apart, near Ocean Grove.

Ket Baker is an institution on The Bellarine. This artisan bakery is known for its 100 per cent sourdough croissants, breads and small batch pastries. Each croissant is carefully crafted over five days to achieve its signature, intense flavour.

Big on taste thanks to cream from grassfed cows, Lard Ass' cultured butter is the perfect fusion of texture and taste. It’s hand kneaded and hand wrapped with fun flavours to try – smoky pomodoro; sweet vanilla; and black garlic.

Unique and hands-on experiences

The Q Train is an experience like no other. Dine on a degustation menu of local produce while travelling on an historic train return from Drysdale to Queenscliff. Watch olive groves, grazing horses and the waters of Swan Bay pass by out the window.

You can’t get any fresher than picking your own berries and it’s a great way to show children where their food comes from… and how good it can taste. Pay a visit to Tuckberry Hill Berry Farm and if you’re in a rush, pre-picked punnets and jams are available. Check website for season dates and the day's picking forecast.

All the gear but no idea? If you’d like guidance on how to throw The Bellarine’s beautiful ingredients together, book in for a cooking class with Harvest Experience. You’ll pick fresh produce from the garden that will feature in your dishes and learn how to make relishes, chutneys and handmade pasta from scratch.

For sweet tooths

Like the sweeter things in life? Don't worry there's still plenty of makers to satisfy your cravings.

For the best brownies and rocky road on The Bellarine head to Adelia Fine Foods and the Bellarine Brownie Company. This husband-and-wife team also create muesli, granola and healthy snacks. They’ve got everyone covered with gluten free to fructose friendly.

With dozens of sweet treats from iced cup cakes to moreish cookies, head to My Bellarine Kitchen in Ocean Grove.

Be sure to try the specialty cake, the Hungarian Dobos Torte - 8 layers of thin-yet-moist sponge cake filled with a luscious chocolate buttercream and topped with crunchy caramel and flaked almonds.

More than just a bakery, My Bellarine Kitchen invites you to join them in the art of baking through engaging workshops and hands-on classes. Learn the secrets behind their mouthwatering creations and take a slice of their passion home with you.

Discover wine, beer and spirits

Beer, spirits and cider crafted on The Bellarine have cult followings. Brewhouses and distilleries combine science and art to create distinct drops and their wizardry has received standing ovations o…

Taste your way through the beer and cider trail

From family-owned gems and passionate microbreweries to industry pioneers with award-winning brews, Geelong and The Bellarine is a craft beer and cider lover's paradise.

Farmers Markets

Join the locals and soak up the vibrant community markets as you browse stall after stall of fresh, seasonal produce. Enjoy homemade relish, home-grown, organic fruit and veggies, and mouth-watering baked goods.

Farmers markets are dotted throughout the region, with each one offering something unique.

Golden Plains' Farmers Market is a top pick, as are the South Geelong Farmers Market and the Bellarine Farmers Market.

Find local markets here