Visitor Information, Markets & Shopping, Beech Forest, Great Ocean Road Region, Victoria, Australia

Visitor information

Visitor Information Centres

The Great Ocean Road has several local accredited Visitor Information Centres. Drop in or call for more information on the region and help with planning your holiday.

	Geelong and Great Ocean Road Princes Hwy Little River, Victoria 3211 Phone (toll free): 1800 620 888 Ph: +61 3 5283 1735 Fax: +61 3 5223 2069
	Geelong 26 Moorabool St Geelong, Victoria 3220 Phone (toll free): 1800 620 888 Ph: +61 3 5222 2900 Fax: +61 3 5223 2069
	Apollo Bay 100 Great Ocean Road Apollo Bay, Victoria 3233 Ph: +61 3 5237 6529 Fax: +61 3 5237 6194
	Colac Cnr Queen & Murray Sts Colac, Victoria 3250 Ph: 1300 689 297 Fax: +61 3 5232 2764
	Lorne 15 Mountjoy Pde Lorne, Victoria 3232 Ph: +61 3 5289 1152 Fax: +61 3 5289 2492
	Queenscliff 55 Hesse St Queenscliff, Victoria 3225 Ph: +61 3 5258 4843 Fax: +61 3 5258 3726
	Torquay Surf City Plaza Torquay, Victoria 3228 Ph: +61 3 5261 4219 Fax: +61 3 5261 4756

Look for the sign. Offices are open 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week.

When in Melbourne...

If you're in Melbourne we suggest you visit the Visitor Information Centre at Federation Square.

Situated on the corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets, directly across from Flinders Street train station and its tram interchanges, the Visitor Centre is a one-stop shop for discovering what Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road have to offer visitors.

Open: 9am to 6pm, 7 days a week
Ph: +61 3 9658 9658

Highlights

Beech Forest

The Ridge Organic Food Store & Café

The Ridge Organic Food Store & Café takes a simple approach to life & food. They keep in touch with local organic farmers and when produce is at its finest their chefs create beautiful, rustic food enticing the natural flavours to sing. The breakfast, lunch and take-away menus change with the season and the produce available from local organic and biodynamic farmers. The Ridge Organic Food Store & Café make sensational chutneys, jams and gourmet goodies to help you prolong the taste of the Otways after you've reached home.

Forrest

Otway Harvest Trail

The unique combination of aspect, soils, climate and farming practices of the Otway hinterland produce distinctive and exceptional flavours in our produce that cannot be found anywhere else. The Otway Harvest Trail is a celebration of the seasons that bestow their rich bounty on a luscious part of Victoria. Spring is a time of plenty and promise. As the winter gives way to warm sunny days, see the bright patchwork of yellow canola fields appear, the farmers out mowing their grass and baling their hay and the spring lambs frolicking on a frosty morning. The first berries appear. Green shoots can be seen in the vineyards as the vines burst their buds and flowers and spring vegetables appear at farm gate stalls. New release wines can be found at cellar doors. Summer is all about being outdoors. All the berry farms have opened and their sweet juicy berries are ripe for the picking. The lush emerald green of the vineyards become more distinctive as the land around slowly turns a golden brown. People clamour for outdoor tables and chairs at cafés and restaurants to soak in the warm days, mild evenings and glorious pastel sunsets. Local wines and beers go so well with the seafood, vegetables and fruits in plentiful supply. Wine lovers are welcomed at cellar doors and their curiosity is rewarded with the discovery of new wines. Autumn is a time of harvest. The days become still and warm, and the crisp cool nights are perfect for sleeping. With the winter rains not far away, the wineries are busy harvesting their fruit and the vignerons hands become garnet red as they nurture the new wines through their ferment. It is also time to harvest the olives from their groves before the first frosts of winter arrive. Smell the fruity aroma of the extra virgin olive oil as it flows from the presses. The last of the berries are picked. Winter is a time for taking stock of the seasons passed and making ready for the farming year ahead. The farmers plough their fields and sow their winter crops. Vineyards, olive groves and orchards are pruned and readied for a new season. Fences are mended. The days shorten and become colder. Cattle turn their backs to the wind. Dams pent over the summer begin to refill. Root vegetables appear at the farm gate stands. It’s a time for reflection and for savouring the joys of recently harvested produce. Lengthy conversations occur over bottles of wine in front of toasty log fires. Eventually the tell tale signs of another Spring begin to appear.

Apollo Bay

Goats of Gaia Soap Co.

Goats of Gaia Soap Co. is nestled in the Otway Rainforest, near Apollo Bay. Established as a dairy in 1900 Fernside Farm has gone back to its roots - offering goats milk soap and body care products from our stud herd of holistically raised Saanen milking goats. The all natural goats milk soap, indeed all the products, are handcrafted at the farm and the delightfully smelly Farm Shop is situated in the original farmhouse. Goats of Gaia Soap Co. offer a huge variety of soaps, skincare products, salves, balms and liniments, herbal and aromatherapy products. Coming soon for Season 2011/2012 Workshops for Groups - Make your own body care and herbal products under the guidance of qualified herbal practitioner and soap maker Bea Gardner Meet the Goats - Informative sessions about milking goats, with photo opportunities and a chance to interact with some of the herd. Keep up to date with Workshop information and Meet the Goats sessions by viewing the website. Online shopping is also available.

Near Apollo Bay

Otway Herbs

Otway Herbs is a nursery with a difference, set in large terraced garden with magnificent views across the Otway valleys and out to the ocean. It is situated high in the hills behind Skenes Creek 12kms by road from Apollo Bay, 8kms off the Great Ocean Road, via Wild Dog and Busty Roads. The nursery has been open since 1982 and is well known for the huge variety of plants, with an emphasis on herbs but also growing fragrant plants, salvias, perennials, medicinal's, shrubs and trees, and indigenous natives. The plants are all propagated on site using biodynamic compost, using biodynamic methods in the garden for 20 years. The nursery and garden is open every day from 9am to 5pm, there is no entry fee but donations to maintain the garden are welcome. Also for sale is the gardens own dried packaged herb tea, oregano etc, massage oils and herbal body and face creams. Children are welcome to play in the large sand pit or explore the large garden with its many sculptures. Dogs are also allowed as long as they are well behaved and don't chase the many birds that live in the garden.

Apollo Bay

Surf-n-Fish

Whether you choose to go surfing, fishing, boating or scuba diving Surf-n-Fish is there to provide what you would need for that memorable holiday. Apollo Bay has fantastic beaches for all kinds of water activities, a large boat harbour and marina, bush walks, rivers, streams and many great fishing and scuba dive destinations. There are many great surf beaches in the Apollo Bay region, from Wye River, Kennett River, Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay, Marengo, Castle Cove and Johanna Beach. Surf-n-Fish stocks a range of surfing and beach activity gear available for hire. From the likes of Balin, Cape Byron Imports, Flick Corporation, Land and Sea Sports, not to mention wetsuits from Billabong, Peak, Quiksilver, Roxy, Rip Curl and World Body boards. Surf-n-Fish also stock surf boards, leashes and leggies, wax, booties, fins, surf mats and beach tents. Looking to go fly fishing for trout in one of the many local streams, or big game fishing for Mako shark or Southern Bluefin Tuna off the shores? Surf-n-Fish have got it all covered, stocking one of the widest ranges of fishing equipment and terminal tackle in the area! Surf-n-Fish also provides PADI Open Water, or beginner, scuba diving courses. These courses are built around PADI's eLearning system. PADI's eLearning online system allows you to do the practical part of the Open Water scuba course in just three days.

Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay Shopping

In a world where anonymous and sterile malls increasingly define the shopping experience, Apollo Bay is literally a breath of fresh air. Most retail outlets have distinct personality and style, and are right opposite the foreshore – shopping with a sea breeze and ocean views. There are several stores selling art, jewellery and homewares crafted by local artisans.

Packages & Offers

See, Do, Stay & Save

Welcome to goTravlr, your passport to great deals in Geelong, the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road.

Whitecrest Winter Indulgence Package

A special romantic experience.

Golf Getaway on the Bellarine

$225 per person twin share.

Otway Fly - Friday Fly Day

Friday Fly Day - activate your winter!

Chris's Beacon Point Restaurant & Villas Winter Warmer Getaway Package

Package for two from $350.00.

Stay & Save at Cumberland Lorne Resort

From $411 for a three night stay.

BIG 4 Beacon Resort Blues Train Package

A unique musical experience! Toe tapping entertainment, a cool drink and a good laugh. Rock your stay in Queenscliff with Blues Train tickets and award winning accommodation at BIG4 Beacon Resort.

Seahaven Village - Taste of The Bellarine $495

Relax at stunning Barwon Heads Friday and Saturday night in a cosy 4.5 star one bedroom spa suite.

Barwon Heads Golf Club Winter Escape

$240 per couple per night

Markets & Shopping

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