Visitor Information, Food & Wine, Winchelsea, Great Ocean Road and 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

Winchelsea

Café La Hoot

Old shed full of junk? Come and see how the owners, Jacqui and Sean Doyle, reinvented theirs with Café La Hoot! The cafe is a little known secret on the Surf Coast set on a picturesque garden setting serving fabulous organic fair-trade coffee, local produce serving homemade light lunches, snacks and sweet treats. Café La Hoot is the quirkiest little cafe in Winchelsea on the banks of the beautiful Barwon River. It is the perfect stopover on the way back from the beach to the city. Hoot Hoot, the Café is open from 9am 'til dusk.

Near Winchelsea

Dinny Goonan Wines

Dinny Goonan Wines is one of a handful of families pioneering grape and wine production in the Otway hinterland. Their wines have won numerous awards since the first commercial release in 2001. The vineyard and cellar door are conveniently situated on the inland road to Lorne, between Winchelsea and Deans Marsh. This location provides a great springboard to explore the Otways and surrounding attractions, and they are happy to share some local knowledge of other places to see and visit. Visitors are welcome to taste their wines and relax in the peaceful vineyard setting. You can find out more about the wines by talking to Dinny the winemaker, or stroll around the vineyard and winery. Vineyard platters are available on weekends between November and April and every day during January, so it is a great chance to take some time out to enjoy the wines, surrounded by the vines that produced them. The platters have a regional focus providing the opportunity to match local wines with regional produce. The only distractions will come from the Crimson Rosellas and Blue Winged Grass Parrots that have made the vineyard their home. They also offer a great coffee and a selection of local foodstuffs and oils. And then of course, there are their award winning wines. As a family run enterprise, everything is very much "hands on". The vines are hand pruned; they pick the grapes by hand and use traditional vinification and elevage techniques within the modern winery. They specialize in the production of cool climate Shiraz and Riesling. They also produce limited quantities of Cabernets (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec), a Semillon/Sauvignon and a Sparkling wine (a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) which are available exclusively to their cellar door customers.

Winchelsea

Winchelsea Larder

Winchelsea Larder - for a relaxing break or meal, regional food and wine, and local art. 100% carbon neutral Freetrade Organic coffee by Jasper, leaf tea including organic, homemade cakes, pastries, pies and sausage rolls, great-tasting menu with regional and seasonal ingredients, local beers and Geelong Wine Region wines. Browse the shelves stocked with a range of gourmet regional produce - scrumptious stuff!

Winchelsea

Winchelsea Shire Hall Tearooms

Stop for Devonshire tea at the beautiful Winchelsea Shire Tearooms, a restored and maintained old bluestone building that used to be the Shire Offices before amalgamation with the Surf Coast Shire. Inside, the walls are lined with history. Plaques, honour-boards, maps, photos and more detailing the past of this regional town and country centre.

Winchelsea

Winchelsea Tea Rooms

A café-restaurant with arts and crafts. Enjoy Devonshire teas and generous lunches in a warm friendly atmosphere. Inside, the walls are lined with history. Plaques, honour-boards, maps, photos and more detailing the past of this regional town and country centre.

Deans Marsh

Blakes Estate Winery

Blakes Estate is located in Deans Marsh, nestled in the foothills of the Otway Ranges in western Victoria. The winery is situated only 16 km from the coast near the town of Lorne and the Great Ocean Road. The close proximity to the coast ensures a warm summer and a long, dry autumn with temperatures modified by the maritime influence. This climate, together with the light, sandy, Tertiary aged Otway soils are perfect for growing Pinot Noir vines in which the vineyard specialises. Specialising in "Burgundy style" Pinot Noir and a "Champagne style" sparkling wine from their very own Pinot grapes. Also making a small volume of Rosé to compliment the other wines. Attention to detail and their small acreage of four acres enable Blakes Estate Winery to make a first class Pinot Noir, rich in fruit flavours with a satisfying middle palate and a long finish. The wines are matured in fine French oak barriques for up to 12 months and kept in the bottle for a further year prior to release. The vines are hand pruned, the grapes hand picked and the wine is hand made in the authentic French "Burgundian style", the area of origin of the pinot grape. The wine is not filtered, instead relying on racking between barrels for clarification, and using a minimum of preservative to ensure the full pinot characteristics come through in the finished wine. The Deans Marsh and Pennyroyal areas on the northern flanks of the Otway Ranges are noted for their strawberry and raspberry farms, which date back to the 1930's. Berries were sent daily by steam train to the Melbourne markets. Not surprisingly, there is a strong hint of raspberry with a touch of plum in our wine.

Near Jan Juc

Brown Magpie Wines

'The Brown Magpie cellar door is backed by a row of cypress trees populated, appropriately enough, by an extended family of industrious magpies who stalk around the vineyard with a proprietorial air. This is a tranquil spot in the Surf Coast hinterland with a plot of vineyard that looks towards Mount Moriac's gentle slopes. It's well worth a detour when you're in the region for its award-winning Shiraz and Pinot Noir.' Ralph Kyte-Powell Brown Magpie Wines is located in the picturesque hinterland of the Surf Coast and Great Ocean Road, 15 minutes Anglesea and Torquay, and 25 minutes south west of Geelong. Shane and Loretta Breheny selected the property specifically for the purpose. Planted in 2000 and 2001 the vineyard consists of nine hectares of north facing gentle slope. Dense, well established cypress trees along the borders shelter the vineyard from strong winds and moderates temperature. All wines are handcrafted on site from estate grown, hand picked fruit, and are a true reflection of the vineyard. The vineyard is ideally located for producing premium quality shiraz, pinot noir, gris and grigio, wine. The quality of the wines has been acknowledged since the first vintage in 2003, with multiple gold medals and trophies being awarded. Recent awards include: - Gold Medal, Trophy and Best Wine in Geelong Wine Show -Shiraz 2010 - Top Gold Medal in Class in Dan Murphy's National Wine Show - Shiraz 2010 - Gold Medal and Trophy in Geelong Wine Show 2007 - Shiraz 2006 - Silver Medal in Geelong Wine Show and National Cool Climate- Pinot Noir 2010 - Silver Medal in Geelong Wine Show - Pinot Grigio 2011 The Surf Coast and Great Ocean Road hinterland is a treat for all wine and food lovers, abounding with great restaurants, produce and wineries.

Near Bannockburn

Leighgrove Olives

Leighgrove Olives is a boutique olive grove, totally family owned and operated by the White family. Grant and Yvonne White invite you to visit their olive grove and Farmgate Olive Shop in the delightful township of Inverleigh, just 26km west of Geelong. Located on a picturesque stretch of the Barwon River, the 4500 tree olive grove is producing extra virgin olive oil of the finest quality. The cool climate conditions with a long, slow ripening period, together with the rich pastoral soils, results in oil of particularly deep, full-flavoured characteristics. With more than ten different olive tree varieties originating from Tuscany, Greece and Spain, the range of flavours and styles of oil makes each season's harvest an exciting time at Leighgrove. Some are very fruity, whilst others are quite peppery and robust, each with its own character. In a true boutique way, the aim is to offer the finest quality Leighgrove Olives can achieve in a choice of styles to suit both differing tastes and culinary uses - to compliment all your cooking. Leighgrove Olives are not bound by big supermarket demands for exactly the same taste every year - indeed the annual variations in temperatures, rainfall and quantities of fruit harvested are a welcome addition to the exclusive nature of the oil.

Geelong

The Food Purveyor

The Food Purveyor brings together a collection of exquisite, regional foods made by incredible artisans and small-scale food and wine producers. Tasty basics to get you started through to luxury treats. Everything is made with quality ingredients that are brought to life by passionate people. Take a journey through the Great Ocean Road region and let The Food Purveyor bring the best food to you. Choose one of our delicious hampers and add in anything that you desire such as wine, a little extra chocolate, some more chutneys, the list is endless. The Food Purveyor hamper can be delivered to your home or holiday accommodation. A perfect start to your holiday or weekend away. All packaged in a beautiful keepsake bag which is perfect for shopping, going to the beach or taking a picnic. For more information on the types of hampers available please visit the website.

Geelong

More Than A Tour

More than Tour offer their local knowledge will give you the very best opportunity of seeing a range of beautiful native animals in their natural environment. Shorts walks to the scenic attractions, lookouts, beaches and rain forests will be on well-defined tracks and board walks and requires a moderate level of fitness. Their guides will accompany you on all walks and your safety is their priority. Being a boutique tour company they will confirm your pick up point, departure and return times prior to departure. More Than A Tour also offers a Door to Door Service. More Than A Tour can tailor make tours to satisfy your groups desires, including: •Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island two day tours •Great Ocean Road and Grampians two day tours •Tailor made tours also available.

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.

Torquay

Latitude-38 Restaurant & Bar

Located within the picturesque Wyndham Resort Torquay, unwind amidst the casual elegance of Latitude-38 Restaurant & Bar. Drawing from the ocean's abundant natural bounty, Latitude-38 offers a distinctive menu featuring the freshest of local ingredients. From seafood influenced contemporary cuisine to modern Australian and traditional delights, you'll enjoy a diverse range of flavours served in this exquisite venue. Floor to ceiling windows wrap around the restaurant offering 180 degree views of the rugged coastline. Enjoy an alfresco dining experience on the restaurants balcony and breathe in the fresh crisp ocean air whilst tantalising your tastebuds with delicious food and wine. Latitude-38 Restaurant & Bar is open for breakfast lunch and dinner - seven days a week.

Packages & Offers

See, Do, Stay & Save

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

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

Wyndham Resort Torquay Couples Spa Indulge Package

$379 per night (Double or Twin share)

Geelong Riverview Tourist Park Summer Special

15% discount per night

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