Barwon Heads, Great Ocean Road Journey, Victoria, Australia

Wallington

Bellarine Adventure Golf

Set on six acres with beautifully landscaped gardens, Bellarine Adventure Golf has two magnificent 18 hole courses. They are great for any weather with both courses providing plenty of shelter from the sun or rain. Each course incorporates real sand and water hazards to keep you on your toes and those scores honest. People of all ages can play and they have putters to suit the smallest of kids through to the biggest.

Barwon Heads

Kiitos

Kiitos Living by Design is 'your design store on the Bellarine'. Situated in Barwon Heads and owned by a true local. Housing some of the worlds most appealing and desired contemporary homeware from the most loved design houses, Kiitos prides itself on quality. Derived from the Finnish word for thankyou, Kiitos houses such labels as marimekko and ittala along with other local and international brands as Fink & Co, Muuto, Alessi, and Design House Stockholm, amongst others. They are now distributers of Acapulco Chair from Mexico in Australia. Each chair being hand crafted echoing a sense of individual charm, esprit and character. The perfect accompaniment to all settings. Renowned for leading the way in designer fabrics, textiles, homewares and fashion, Kiitos Living by Design is your design store on the Bellarine.

Wallington

Oakdene Vineyards Restaurant and Cellar Door

'Beside the road linking the northern Bellarine Peninsula with the 'sea-change' towns at the start of the Surf Coast, quirky Oakdene is full of lively, arty charm. An eclectic collection of sculpture, paintings and other pieces is woven through the restaurant and cellar door, and there's a brightness and sense of fun about the place that's very winning. It conceals some fine dining, plush Bed and breakfast accommodation to save you from driving home, and a vineyard providing well-made wines.' RALPH KYTE-POWELL Oakdenes Boutique Vineyard and award winning restaurant is situated in the maritime region of the Bellarine Peninsula, near Geelong, approximately 90 kilometres from Melbourne. Oakdene's cool climate wines are produced in limited quantities from estate grown Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. The wines are elegant, complex and reflect true varietal character. The award winning Oakdene Vineyards Restaurant offers a relaxed and memorable experience that you will never forget. An original 1920's homestead Oakdene has been beautifully restored and boasts an eclectic, lush art garden setting offering dining, accommodation, wine tasting and tours of the vineyard. Cellar Door is open daily from 10am offering wine tasting and sales, complimenting lunch or dinner at Oakdene restaurant from Wednesday to Sunday, boutique accommodation open daily, Oakdene also caters for weddings and special events. Group bookings are welcomed by appointment only. Oakdene Vineyards is a place to experience, not just a place to visit.

Wallington

Ponda Estate

Ponda Estate Vineyard is a small, boutique family owned vineyard situated in the Bellarine Peninsula wine region of Geelong, Victoria. The three acre block produces a stunning handcrafted, single-vineyard Pinot Noir wine. Ponda Estate is committed to using sustainable and eco-friendly viticultural practices - the low-yielding vines are hand tended, Babydoll Southdown sheep and chooks work the block to sort out weeds/bugs and provide fertilisation for the vines, and family/friends help hand pick the grapes at harvest time. Ponda Estate trust that you will enjoy a Ponda Pinot - they certainly do!

Ocean Grove

Rolling Pin Pies and Cakes Ocean Grove

Rolling Pin Pies and Cakes is a locally owned and run business that caters for Geelong, the Surfcoast and the Bellarine Peninsula. The business is owned and operated by Geoff and Susie Chalker who are residents of Ocean Grove and committed to the region and the retail precinct in which the Rolling Pin operates. The business operates from two locations being 12 Park Lane Ocean Grove and 40 Hesse Street Queenscliff. They sell a range of products including a full range of pastries, cakes and slices, and also specialise in photo cakes for birthdays and special occasions. The Rolling Pin is recognised nationally as one of Australia's leading pie makers, having won the Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition in 2004, and the Great Aussie Pastie Competition in 2006 and 2007. The range of over 15 different flavoured pies include: super spud, country lamb and rosemary, beef and burgundy, steak bacon and cheese, and chicken and vegetable, and the pasties include: meat and vegetable, vegetarian wholemeal and Bombay, all of which placed first in their respective categories at the most recent Great Aussie Pastie Competition. All of the Rolling Pin's pies are made from Premium King Island Beef (100% Growth Promotant and Antibiotic Free) and all ingredients are of the highest quality.

Ocean Grove

The Dunes Café Bar & Restaurant

The Dunes Cafe Bar & Restaurant is sitting on the dunes overlooking the main beach of Ocean Grove. This is an amazing location. There is a world class view sweeping out to sea. Look west and you gaze at the Barwon Heads bluff and around to the Great Ocean Road; look east along the crescent of the beach to the Point Lonsdale lighthouse and beyond to Cape Schank. People surf and swim all year, and in winter the whales usually join them. The Dunes is open all year round, seven days a week, starting at 6.30am. Breakfast leads into morning coffee and cake which rolls into lunch and on to afternoon tea. Then, as the sun sets it is time for a glass of wine before everyone settles in for dinner. You can sit inside and look out through large panoramic windows, or outside under the umbrellas on the deck. The Dunes love a party and regularly cater for weddings, birthdays and special functions.

Barwon Heads

Thirteenth Beach Golf Links

In the early 1920s the Australian Jam Company purchased 405 acres at Thirteenth Beach and established an asparagus farm. The original diesel pump which provided water for irrigation is still beside the 5th tee of The Beach Course. Asparagus farming ceased in the early 1970s when the property was acquired for beef cattle production. The size of the property was subsequently increased to over 830 acres. In 1999, a joint venture was established to create a premium golf and residential precinct on 520 acres. The master plan allowed for 36 holes of golf, clubhouse facility 150 residential allotments and 150 condominiums. The Beach Course (designed by Tony Cashmore), the first 18 hole course, is set along the property's 2.1 kilometres of surf beach frontage. The course was opened for play on 1 December 2001. The course has already been ranked among Australia's Best 20 Golf Courses by two national golf magazines. The Creek Course (designed by Sir Nick Faldo and Tony Cashmore), spanning 6,401 metres has 18 holes and was opened for play on 1 January 2004 to wide acclaim.

Barwon Heads

Warbird Air Adventures

For adrenalin junkies, aircraft nuts, thrill seekers and those who want to experience The Edge. Warbird Air Adventures offers everyone the chance to fly like the aces of yesteryear in the supercharged CJ-6A military aircraft. This is a seriously strong and powerful machine capable of speeds over 400 km/h and G force loading up to +6. Try and lift your arms! All flights are tailored to your capabilities - starting off very gently with some big lazy turns and building up gradually until you are hurtling vertically upwards at full power. Between each manoeuvre your pilot will confer with you before entering the next. Think you will feel sick? Not likely! The mild to wild approach means over 98% of people complete all the manoeuvres. All aerobatic flights include a high speed low level jaunt up the stunning coastline of the Bellarine Peninsular - enjoy the thrill of seeing the beaches and lighthouses flash by before you break off and start your climb to the aerobatic area. High Definition widescreen DVD's of you experience are available, a must for those who simply will not believe you! Non aerobatic sightseeing flights are available or those who would like to experience flight in a genuine ex military aircraft and take in the magnificent views of Port Philip Bay, Bellarine Peninsular and Great Ocean Rd. Bring your camera for the ride and take stunning photos as you smoothly cruise at a sedate 250 km/h. This is the opportunity of a lifetime - few people get to experience anything like the power, speed and exhilaration of a Warbird Air Adventure, and the best part - it is affordable! Don't spend thousands on a Jet Fighter experience when for a few hundred you get the same G forces and manoeuvres in the incredible CJ-6A aircraft.

Ocean Grove

Geelong to Lorne Motorcycle Tour

Geelong to Lorne return with Gringos Motorcycle Tours; approximately three hours, including short stopover in Lorne for the chance to look at the shops and have a coffee.

Barwon Heads

Food & Wine

Bustling with fashionable sippers and shoppers, the main street offers a variety of dining experiences from casual provedores and bakeries to fine restaurants or home-cooked take-away meals. MUST TRY'S: Annie's Provedores Peppercorn Foods Beach House Barwon Heads At The Heads Restaurant Fish & Chips on the beach

Barwon Heads

Barwon Heads Beach

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.

Barwon Heads

Barwon Heads Bluff

The tidal flows at the mouth of the Barwon River have created an amazing landscape at the Barwon Heads Bluff. It is one of the best spots in the region to observe marine life in rockpools. More than 90% of the creatures found at the Bluff are only found in Southern Australia and nowhere else in the world. The Bluff has an enormous diversity of seaweeds from tiny encrusting pink coralline algae to mighty forests of giant and bull kelps. There are many different species of fish, snails, seastars, and other invertebrates that all make the Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary their home. The high lookout at the bluff has views towards Port Phillip Heads to the east and along the Surf Coast to the West.

Barwon Heads

Barwon Heads Bridge

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.

Barwon Heads

Shopping

Whether it's children's wear, a new surfboard or headwear for the Spring Racing Carnival, Barwon Heads has something to offer. There are famous surf shops, while many boutiques sell stylish clothes and homewares. Retail therapy musts: Firth Kiitos Living by Design Moss Industry

Barwon Heads

Thirteenth Beach Barwon Heads

Thirteenth Beach is part of the 7 km long section of coast between Barwon Heads and Black Rock. It occupies the western 4.5 km and faces essentially due south. The beach receives waves averaging 1.5 m, is moderately sloping and is fronted by a single bar, dominated by rips every 250 m. The beach is backed by a vegetated foredune for most of its length, and the Barwon Heads to Torquay Road. The best access is provided at the surf lifesaving club, with additional car parks and access tracks located along the road. The surf club, founded in 1961, is the only development on what is a relatively natural beach. Its members rescue 5 people on average each year. Swimming Rips are a common feature of the beach, with safest bathing on the bars in the patrolled area. Strong permanent rips lie east of the surf club. The western end is adjacent to the Black Rock sewer outlet and should be avoided. Surfing A popular surfing beach with low to moderate swell providing numerous beach breaks, all readily accessible from the main road. One of the more popular areas is in front of the shipping beacon, known as The Beacon. Best with northerly winds. Fishing A good, natural spot for beach fishing, with good road access to the numerous rip holes that persist along the beach. General A relatively undeveloped beach, more popular with surfers and bathers who want a patrolled beach away from the crowds. Carpark Type: Formal parking area Spaces: 50 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.

Barwon Heads

Barwon River

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 families and walkers. Fishing is popular on the jetties near the mouth of the river. Kayakers and paddlers are often seen in this area of the river. 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.

Near Barwon Heads

Breamlea

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.

Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove - Collendina 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

Ocean Grove Beach

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.

Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove Nature Reserve

The Ocean Grove Nature Reserve is the only preserved native woodland on the Bellarine Peninsula. Home to 178 species of native plants, including 22 orchids, the reserve is an important tract of land. Wildlife within the reserve includes wallabies, echidnas, possums and koalas. There are also snakes and lizards, as well as some 167 species of bird recorded as being spotted within the reserve.

Ocean Grove

Shopping in Ocean Grove

As a large town, Ocean Grove offers the greatest range of shopping options on the Bellarine. The main street, a few blocks from the beach, has strip shopping, a supermarket, post office and several independent and specialty stores. There is also a shopping centre to the north-east of the town with a large supermarket, chemist and take-away food outlets.

Barwon Heads

Barwon Heads Golf Club

Nestled amongst the coastal dunes and metres from the spectacular 13th Beach surf coast, the highly ranked Barwon Heads links course presents an enjoyable challenge for all golfers. Widely recognised as a private club, visitors who are members of other golf clubs are invited as green fee players, and to stay in the house. The magnificent clubhouse, recently listed by the National Trust and Heritage Victoria, is famed for its ambience and old world charm. With stunning architecture and captivating views, it is a clubhouse designed for all seasons. House guests can enjoy the open balconies in summer or the luxurious open fires during the cooler months. Upstairs, there are 19 ensuite rooms, and a variety of packages are available incorporating your stay with golf, dining and entertainment. Other facilities include tennis courts, billiards, a driving range and professional shop. Take some well-earned time off and be enchanted by 100 years of golfing history.

Barwon Heads

Beach House Barwon Heads

Beach House Barwon Heads has been operational for over two and a half years, in the once Barwon Heads fire station. This beautifully renovation venue is a fusion of café and restaurant styles. A relaxed café environment during the day, serving the town's best coffee, makes way for magnificent modern Australian cuisine and a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience in the evening hours.

Wallington

Adventure Park

Super charge you summer at Victoria's biggest theme park! Awesome family fun all day long, Adventure Park Geelong is home to some of the coolest water rides in Australia Victoria's hottest and biggest theme park, Adventure Park, located just 10 minutes from Geelong boasts 21 exciting rides and attractions, perfect for the whole family! Just some of the ways you can make a gigantic splash and enjoy the unlimited rides all day long include: • Raft the roaring rapids on The River Torrent Lazy River, with twisting tides and swirling gauntlets along a tropical river oasis • Speed down head first and experience the ultimate adrenaline rush of the Six Lane Aqua Racer, a speed slide for the serious thrill-seekers which can take you up to 40km per hour • Race down The Gold Rush Rapids in a speedy 20 seconds and take the two metre plunge • Take a splash in the dark on the Wild West Canyon on a two-seater raft, experiencing twists and 360 degree turns! Adventure Park is doing it for the kids, too! The Tiny Tots Splashzone keeps the young ones cool, safe and entertained, with waterfalls, mini waterslides and spray cannons throughout. While Bonito's Bay Water Play offers a state-of-the-art aquatic playground including waterfalls, water jets and more pirate-filled water fun. On dry land, families can take a ride on the popular Go Karts and Electric Cars, try a hand at Archery, discover the new Galactic Games World, challenge family and friends to a game of Mini Golf, take a leisurely ride on the Paddle Boats and Aqua Bikes and watch the world go by on the Classic Carousel. Bring in a picnic, hire a BBQ and relax lakeside under shaded picnic areas, marquees and pavilions, set amongst 21 hectares of landscaped parkland.

Queenscliff

ex HMAS Canberra

The ex HMAS Canberra dive site is the first artificial reef specifically created for diving in Victoria. It lies in approximately 28 metres of water, with the top of the mast about 5 metres below the surface at low tide. The site provides opportunities for divers with varying levels of experience and certification, from open water level certificates to advanced wreck divers, to enjoy this site. When the ship as prepared for scuttling many of the original working features were retained so divers still get a sense of being on board a working ship. Dive charter operators based at Queenscliff Harbour can lead trips to dive the ex HMAS Canberra.

Queenscliff

Vue Grand

Situated in the heart of beautiful Queenscliff, and less than 90 minutes from Melbourne, the Vue Grand is a stunning multi award winning boutique hotel. A magnificent historic property the Vue Grand is one of Victoria's leading venues for conferencing, weddings, dining and accommodation. The Vue Grand boasts 32 rooms lovingly restored to reflect the hotels unique charm, with a variety of room types to suit everybody's needs and budget including: Bay view Suites, Spa and Balcony rooms. You can't go past the magnificent Turret Suite, with breathtaking 180 degree panoramic views, king sized bed, heated floor tiles, retractable plasma and spa with a view. For those wanting to indulge in a fine dining experience, the Vue Grand's award winning Restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner. The inspiring menu has a strong focus on local produce showcasing what the Bellarine has to offer. The Vue Grand recently won Best Restaurant - Fine Dining in the 2010 Golden Plate awards. In the summer months you can also relax, unwind and enjoy a drink on the 'Rooftop' Bar with spectacular views of the bay. Other facilities the Vue Grand offers include on site massage, function venue and private dining. The Vue Grand is part of the Bellarine Taste Trail, located near beaches, sailing and dolphin swims.

Torquay

Surf World Museum

The Surf World Museum in Torquay, Australia’s surfing capital, celebrates the story of surfing. It also charts Australia’s significant contribution to the development of surfing around the world. Through the colourful and exciting permanent displays and temporary exhibitions of important surfing artefacts and memorabilia, the museum commemorates Australia’s fantastic surfing heritage and rich beach culture. An unforgettable experience, Surf World provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in one of Australia’s most popular pastimes. It’s a place where you can experience or relive, surfing’s sense of fun, and marvel at the changes that have taken place over the years. We look forward to welcoming you.

Wallington

A Maze'n Games on Bellarine

A Maze 'n Games offers fun activities for the whole family to stimulate your relaxation. Lose yourself or the kids in one of Australia's largest timber mazes, relax and try a game of mini golf on the 18 hole mini golf course, or try and solve some of the large range of puzzles. You can relax your mind inside the cafe with coffee and delicious, home-made cakes or light snacks. You could also enjoy the great BBQ facilities undercover while the kids explore the playgrounds. Enjoy browsing in the spacious shop, which has an extensive range of clever gifts for all ages; many are set up for you to try.

Queenscliff

The Blues Train

Victoria's historic coastal town of Queenscliff is home to the world's one and only Blues Train. It is a unique experience that combines four of Australia's best live acts and the beautiful scenery of the Bellarine Peninsula on the Drysdale Railway line while aboard a real moving vintage steam train. It is one of Australia's most spectacular entertainment experiences - it is a mini festival in one night and a progressive party you'll never forget. Nothing captures the spirit of the blues quite like a steam train. Listening to the train whistle and the clickety-clack on the tracks you can imagine the old blues masters jamming it up on Mississippi freight trains as they were 'ridin' the blinds' around America's deep south. The Blues Train leaves Queenscliff Railway Station after guests have enjoyed a delicious meal complemented by fine Australian and local wines. The steam train then makes its way along 16 kilometres of track, gently rocking from side to side, seemingly in beat with the music. At each of the stops, Suma Park and Drysdale, revellers swap carriages to see another of the acts, so by the end of the night patrons have seen all four acts performing on the train. Drinks are available from the mobile bar that miraculously appears on each platform (from the converted guard's van). You can sit back, relax and listen to the music with a drinking on one of the seated carriages or get up and boogie the blues away in one of the dance carriages. Please visit the website for the different show dates.

Geelong

Geelong Scenic Boat Cruise

Freedom Bay Cruises can give you the best view of Geelong! Located at Steampacket Quay on the beautiful Waterfront the 40 minute tour travels around Cunningham Pier, past boats, port facilities and the Art Deco Eastern Beach. All cruises include a full commentary and both inside seating and outside viewing areas. Freedom can take up to 60 passengers and cruises depart on the hour from 11am to 4pm, weekends and school holidays. Cruises are suitable for all ages with ample room for prams and wheelie frames. Crew are happy to assist passengers board the boat via the gangplank and four steps. Groups can pre book exclusive cruises on Freedom during the week, minimum numbers required. Freedom is also available for private parties at an hourly rate. For further information please visit the web site.

Barwon Heads

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Barwon Heads

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Packages & Offers

Mercure Geelong Family Fun Offer

BIG 4 Beacon Resort Blues Train Package

Seahaven Village - Taste of The Bellarine $495

Romantic getaway at Whitecrest Resort from $620

Mercure Geelong Family Fun Offer

BIG 4 Beacon Resort Blues Train Package

Seahaven Village - Taste of The Bellarine $495

Romantic getaway at Whitecrest Resort from $620