Location

Bellarine Bay is located in Victoria State in Australia near the famous Great Ocean Road.

Historical significance

Indigenous Australians lived in this region for thousands of years before the Europeans came exploring into this region and slowly established settlements. The villages in this region show the evidence of British colonial rule, life and culture of the settlers, and the monumental buildings. The indigenous people here belong to the Bangalat Balug Clan of the Wathaurong Tribe. The Scottish woman Anne Drysdale who came around 1840 to this region did farming in association with another woman called Caroline. The two women established their presence in this region by building a homestead in the mid 19th century which stands even to this day. The region’s town and suburb were named after them as Drysdale and Newcomb.

Tourist attractions

Bellarine situated on the Southern Ocean in the Bass Strait has many sandy beaches on its safe bay, and a few beautiful villages behind with many interesting features to explore. One among the best holiday sites of Victoria State, Bellarine, being a peninsula in the bay has got a number of beaches along its coast in sheltered waters. The calm villages in the background have golf grounds and calm and relaxed walks amidst the friendly people. Sustaining its attraction for over 100 years as the best visited tourist region, Bellarine has great sites for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, diving, and fishing. The Queencliff Dive center would assist in enjoying your diving and snorkeling experiences as there is a reef and the Marine Park with abundant marine life and vegetation making snorkeling interesting. You may also end up swimming with a couple of seals if you are lucky. The entire family from seniors to kids would find their share of entertainment and activities of their choice on the shores and beside Bellarine, hence it is known to be a family beach.

Popular Australian golf clubs like the Barwon Heads Golf Club, Lonsdale Golf Club, and the Curlewis Golf Club conduct golf tournaments all year round. The water at the bay being shallow, swimming is safe and enjoyable even for children. Paddling is interesting on the shallow and calm waters. Again sailing and yachting are as interesting as paddling boats and rowing canoes. The white sand is ever there for you to relax. Except during heavy rains, the river at Barwon Heads is as interesting a spot as the ocean for swimming and fishing. You can sail on boats from the ramps at Clifton Springs, Portarlington, Indented Heads, St. Leonards, Queenscliff, Barwon Heads, and Point Lonsdale. For crashing surf, you have to look for the beaches on the opposite side where you can get the Southern Ocean's waves suitable for surfing.

You can also go on scenic cruises in the Port Phillip Bay and beyond the Heads and view the sunset from the cruise which you may never forget. The Port Philip Bay witnesses weddings and birthday celebrations round the year which you may take part in.

The Bellarine Region is popular for its vineyards and wines. The fertile soil of Bellarine has a number agricultural produce to its credit like berries, apples, and many vegetables besides a number of vineyards. Fresh seafood varieties available in all restaurants of this region are tasty.

You may visit the surrounding villages like the Drysdale, Portarlington, Indented Head, Queenscliff, Leopold, Clifton Springs, St Leonards, Point Lonsdale, Wallington, Ocean Grove, and Barwon Heads for sightseeing and mingling with the friendly people and during festivals and celebrations.

Best period to visit

This is a place that can be visited by tourists at any time of the year.

Access

Bellarine may be accessed from Melbourne or Ballarat or Geelong by road or rail and from Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula, and by boats or ferries. International visitors have to land at the nearest international airport at Melbourne and proceed further towards Geelong by road or rail and proceed further by road to the Bellarine Region.

Emergency services

Call 000 for all emergency services like medical, police, and fire.

Hospital

For emergency medical care call 000, and for non emergency medical assistance visit Portarlington Medical Centre, ph: +61 (0)3 5259-2968.

Police

Call 000 for emergency police assistance, and 131 444 for non emergency police assistance.