Things to See & Do
Building their city on a North-facing bay was a stroke of genius for the forefathers of Geelong. Generations later, residents and visitors alike are enjoying the benefits of the area collectively known as 'The Waterfront'.
Stretching from Eastern Beach around to Rippleside, the area incorporates many restaurants and cafes on the water's edge. There are places for kids to play, from open grassy areas to some of the biggest and best playgrounds in the region.
There are kids attractions including the carousel, a miniature train ride and a skate park. Seasonally there are also bungee trampolines and a giant ferris wheel.
Childrens attractions, open public space, a lively calendar of events and fabulous places to eat and drink make the Waterfront a Geelong must-do.
Fish in the Bay near Point Nepean, Quarantine Bay, Portsea, Queenscliff, Swan Bay and St. Leonard's depending on weather conditions and where the fish are biting.
For those of you who prefer the security of fishing inside Port Phillip Heads, this Queenscliff Fishing Charters and Scenic Tours tour is the perfect boat for you. Due to speed regulations Kyena is not permitted to travel through the Heads and all of our fishing is done in locations within the Bay.
At Barwon Heads, the coast trends due west for 7 km to Black Rocks. The first 2 km are dominated by calcarenite rocks and reefs, which outcrop on the beach and in the surf.
These divide the coast into three beaches. The first (285) is below Point Finders and is a 50 m pocket of sand facing south-east and bordered by rock platforms and reefs.
The two Barwon Heads beaches (286, 287) face south and are more exposed, with higher waves and patchy reefs. These conditions result in a wide, low gradient beach, rock flat and surf, with persistent and some permanent rips against the reefs.
All three beaches are easily accessible. There is a car park and a lookout on Point Flinders, and car parks on the Torquay Road, which parallels the two Barwon Heads beaches.
Swimming
Point Flinders is relatively safe close inshore, however there are rocks and reefs off the beach. The Barwon Heads beaches are both potentially hazardous, owing to the higher waves, reefs and strong permanent rips.
Surfing
There are several breaks along this section, mostly reef breaks that work best at higher tide, with a low to moderate swell and north winds. Those immediately west of Point Flinders are called The Hole.
Fishing
There are excellent rip holes and gutters next to the reefs, together with rocks and reefs to fish from at low tide.
General
A reef dominated section of coast, most suitable for beach fishing and experienced surfers.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 100
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 7
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
The Barwon Heads Bridge is a road connecting Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.
The deteriorating 100+ year old bridge has been reconstructed in recent years and a second bridge has been built alongside to take pedestrian traffic, cyclists and recreational anglers.
From its beginnings in the Otway Ranges, the Barwon River winds its way through suburban Geelong before flowing into the ocean at Barwon Heads.
The mouth of the river has sandy banks that are popular with walkers and families having a paddle or building sandcastles. Fishing is popular on the jetties near the mouth of the river and kayakers and paddlers are often seen in this area.
Barwon Heads has a sailing club where laser yachts are often seen at high tide. There are also BBQs and picnic areas alongside the riverbank.
From its beginnings in the Otway Ranges, the Barwon River winds its way through suburban Geelong before flowing into the ocean at Barwon Heads.
The Barwon River is the site for a huge number of leisure pursuits for Geelong residents. There are several rowing clubs located in Belmont, and a little further south there is an area for waterskiing.
At various points along the river as it runs through Geelong there are tracks for running, cycling and walking. There are also several parks, playgrounds, picnic spots and BBQ areas.
The mouth of the river has sandy banks that are well used walkers and families who build sandcastles and paddle in the shallows.
Fishing is popular on the jetties near the mouth of the river and kayakers and paddlers are often seen in this area.
Barwon Heads also has a sailing club where laser yachts are often seen at high tide. There are also BBQs and picnic areas alongside the riverbank.
Breamlea is a small holiday settlement lying between the banks of Thompson Creek and Breamlea Beach. The beach faces south-south-east and runs for 2 km from the low basalt rocks at Noble Rocks to the mouth of the creek at Point Impossible. There is road access to the back of the fore dunes, with foot tracks crossing the 20 m high fore dune to reach the beach.
The beach receives waves averaging just over 1 m, which usually produce an attached bar cut by rips every 250 m. At the creek mouth, both a tidal channel and shoals are present.
Swimming
A moderately hazardous beach, owing to the persistent rips and creek mouth. Stay on the attached section of the bars and clear of the rips, rocks and creek.
Surfing
Usually low to moderate beach breaks along the length of the beach.
Fishing
This beach has rocks at one end, the creek at the other and usually rip holes and gutters along the beach.
General
A natural beach, mainly used by the Breamlea locals for bathing, surfing and fishing.
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 6
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
The Clifton Springs section of coast is characterised by near continuous bluffs averaging 20m high, and is fronted by a narrow, crenulate beach and wide sand flats. The first section lies to the immediate west of the boat ramp, which provides the best access, and has 400m wide sand flats.
The central section is the site of the main Clifton Springs recreational beach. It is the most popular of the northern Bellarine Peninsula beaches. It is located below 20 m high bluffs and is backed by an extensive foreshore reserve, with ample parking and picnic facilities.
Most facilities and parking are on the bluffs, with more limited facilities at the beach. The narrow, 500 m long beach faces north-west and is fronted by tidal flats that extend several hundred metres into the bay. The width of the flats can be gauged by the length of the ruins of the 400m long jetty.
The eastern beach is a 5km long, narrow, crenulate beach lying below the bluffs, which slowly decrease in height to the east. It fronts the Clifton Springs golf course and terminates 1 km west of Point Richards. While all of this beach is backed by a foreshore reserve, access is limited to the golf course or Beacon Point Road and bluff-top Water Drive. It has no facilities.
Swimming
Three relatively safe beaches, with best bathing on the main beach at mid to high tide.
Surfing
None.
Fishing
Only at high tide from the beach.
General
A usually quiet section of coast with the main beach being the most accessible and popular.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Spaces: 50
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarentee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 1
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Beach
Collendina Beach occupies most of the open bay between Point Lonsdale and Barwon Heads. It is 6 km long, extending from the reefs west of Point Lonsdale Beach to 1 km west of the Collendina Beach car park.
The only public access is at the car park, together with tracks over the foredune from the caravan park.
The beach faces south-south-east and for the most part is backed by 10 to 20 m high, vegetated dunes, with a few blowouts. It receives waves averaging between 1 and 1.5 m, which break over a wide, low gradient surf zone and occasional reefs and rocks. Persistent rips occur every 250 m, with some permanent rips against the more prominent reefs. During bigger seas, waves break on outer, deeper reefs.
Swimming
Be careful on this beach as there are usually deep rip holes and strong currents along the beach. Stay inshore on the attached section of the bars and well clear of the rips and reefs.
Surfing
There are many beach and a few reef breaks along the beach, with best conditions in a low to moderate swell and northerly winds.
Fishing
There are excellent persistent rip holes and occasional gutters along the beach, plus some occasional reefs.
General
A long relatively natural beach offering plenty of sand, a low gradient inner surf for bathing, rip holes for fishing and numerous beach breaks for surfing.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 200
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 7
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Ocean Grove Beach is located in the centre of the 9.5 km long beach that curves in a broad, south facing arc from Point Lonsdale to the Barwon River mouth.
The Ocean Grove section is 2 km long and faces south-east. Some protection is offered by Barwon Heads and the beach receives waves averaging 1.4m. These waves interact with the fine beach sand to produce a wide, low gradient beach face, fronted by a 300m wide surf zone that contains strong rips every 250m.
During moderate waves, the rips increase in size and intensity toward Collendina, while decreasing toward Barwon Heads. At low tide, the beach and exposed bar can be over 100 m wide, with the deeper rip channels clearly visible.
The town of Ocean Grove backs the beach, with a wide, well-arranged foreshore reserve between the town and the beach. It provides extensive parking, together with most beach amenities. The good parking and easy access, together with the surf club patrols and slightly lower waves make this a popular summer beach. The Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1948 and performs an average of 8 rescues each year.
Swimming
A moderately safe beach, particularly during average summer conditions, when extensive bars dominate. Best at high tide, however watch the rips, particularly at low tide. Best to stay between the flags.
Surfing
Usually has wide, moderate to low beach breaks; more popular with summer surfers.
Fishing
Best to go up the beach away from the summer crowds, and where rip holes are more common.
General
A popular summer beach, which can hold a large crowd. It has a wide, shallow surf zone with rips increasing up the beach, so it is best to stay near the surf club and bathe in the patrolled area.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 200
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 6
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Point Lonsdale forms the western side of Port Phillip Heads, with The Rip separating it from Point Nepean. The town of Point Lonsdale has a protected bay beach and more exposed ocean beaches.
The main ocean beach is known as the Surf or Back Beach and is the site of Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club, founded in 1947. A walking track leads from the surf club over the dunes to the beach.
Surf Beach extends for 900 m from a wide, intertidal rock platform, located just east of the surf lifesaving club, to where more rocks and reefs outcrop in the surf. In fact, low tide rock flats dominate this beach and are clearly visible at low tide.
The beach faces south-west and receives waves averaging 1.4 m, which produce a single attached bar, cut by strong rips every 250 m. In addition, strong permanent rips run out against some of the reefs, the worst being The Escalator to the left of the club house. These rips have been responsible for many rescues, with an average of 30 each year. There have also been drownings at the beach, so be very wary and stay between the flags.
Swimming
A moderately hazardous beach owing to the moderate waves and strong permanent and shifting rips, together with rocks and reefs. Definitely stay on the bars, clear of the rips and rocks and between the flags.
Surfing
Beach breaks are common over the numerous reefs, with the best known as Glaneuses, located at the end of Glaneuse Road, and adjacent to The Escalator rip. It offers a good left over the reef. Surfing is best with northerly winds, a low to moderate swell at mid to high tide, as the reefs are exposed at low tide.
Fishing
A popular spot offering permanent rips and gutters, particularly adjacent to the reefs and rocks.
General
This is the surf beach for the popular Point Lonsdale holiday town and very popular with bathers in summer and surfers year round. However it is a hazardous beach with strong permanent rips, so use extreme care.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 100
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 8
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Whilst it was put on the foodie map by its famous mussels, Portarlington has much more to tantalise your taste buds these days.
As a central point to many of the attractions on the Bellarine Taste Trail, Portarlington is a great spot to base a gourmet tour of the surrounding region.
In town you'll have access to top class restaurants and cafes, locally grown produce and one of the best bakeries in the region. In the surrounding hills you can explore award-winning wineries or buy food direct from the grower.
Point Richards is a large accumulation of sand that forms the northern tip of the Bellarine Peninsula. The point is still growing slowly to the west, while in the east it is attached to the bedrock at Portarlington.
There are three beaches along this 2.5 km section of coast. The first is a 300 m long, low energy section west of the point, which grades into tidal flats.
Between the point and the Portarlington Jetty is a 2 km long, north facing beach, backed by a large reserve and a caravan park. The third beach runs for 200 m east of the jetty to the bluffs.
All three beaches have good access, with a large car park on the point servicing a boat ramp, and a second boat ramp on Portarlington Beach.
Swimming
These are three relatively safe beaches, with usually calm to low wave conditions. Due to the extensive sand flats, bathing is best at mid to high tide. However, watch the boat traffic near the boat ramps and jetty.
Surfing
None.
Fishing
The jetty is the most popular location.
General
A very popular section of coast, particularly during the summer holidays when the backing caravan park is full.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 200
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarentee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 1
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
There are several places to launch a boat in Portarlington and surrounding areas. The Point Richards boat ramp, just west of town, has just been upgraded.
It is now a safer facility with two lanes, able to take larger scale boats and is close to King George Whiting and snapper grounds. Other nearby boat ramps include those at St Leonards, Indented Head and Clifton Springs.
The Portarlington Pier is a popular fishing spot. The main pier runs North-South and at the end a breakwater runs East-West. It is a good spot to catch salmon.
Mullet, garfish and trevally are often caught in the harbour and squid can be caught on the Western side. Boat ramps in the area can launch anglers into the bay and hooking snapper, whiting, flathead and sharks.
The Pier, a working harbour, houses the town’s mussel fleet, so it’s not unusual to see crews setting out for or returning from harvesting Blue Mussels grown in farms just offshore in Port Phillip Bay.
Portarlington has become famous for its mussels, and you can buy them direct from the farmer in town, often on the pier straight from the boat.
Queenscliff Beach fronts the town of the same name. It is 800 m long, faces south-east, and is backed by a large foreshore reserve with numerous facilities.
The Queenscliff harbour channel and breakwater form the northern boundary, with the vegetated slopes of 20 m high Shortland Bluff forming the southern boundary.
Two long jetties cross the beach, one servicing the passenger ferry to Portsea; and the other is the old Pilot Jetty. There are several boat sheds below the bluffs and the Queenscliff Lighthouse on top of Shortland Bluff.
The beach is low and flat, with a continuous, wide, shallow bar and no rips. Shallow reef flats extend east of the bluff.
Swimming
A relatively safe beach with a wide shallow bar.
Surfing
None.
Fishing
The harbour channel, the two jetties and the seawall round the base of the Bluff all provide excellent fishing locations.
General
A very accessible beach, with numerous facilities in the foreshore reserve and the attractive town of Queenscliff behind.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 100
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 2
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Beach
At Indented Head, the coast turns and runs due south for 3 km down to the low bluffs at St Leonards. The Esplanade runs right behind the beach and low foredune.
There are two picnic areas behind the main beach, with a camping reserve toward St Leonards, and a foreshore reserve with numerous facilities backing the bluffs and St Leonards Pier Beach.
Toward the southern end of St Leonards Beach, there are several wooden groynes, as well as the breakwater and pier, that form the boundary with the 300 m long St Leonards Pier Beach. This beach terminates at a low, rocky point and reef flats.
Both beaches are low and narrow and fronted by shallow, 100 to 200 m wide sand flats, containing low amplitude bars and runnels. The flats are exposed at low tide.
Swimming
Two relatively safe beaches fronted by shallow sand flats and low bars. Bathing is better at mid to high tide when the flats are covered.
Surfing
None.
Fishing
The rocks on the south side of Indented Head and the St Leonards Pier are the two best places to reach deeper water.
General
A long, relatively natural beach, with good access and numerous facilities, plus the small town of St Leonards at the southern end.
Carpark
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 100
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.
General Beach Hazard Rating: 2
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.