There’s a particular kind of summer holiday that never goes out of style. Sandy feet at the door, fish and chips on the foreshore, and kids who fall asleep the minute their heads hit the pillow. Just over an hour from Melbourne, on Wadawurrung Country, the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast deliver exactly that, with a few surprises thrown in.
What makes the Bellarine so good for families is that it gives you two very different beaches within a short drive of each other.
On the bay side, the waters off Portarlington, Indented Head and St Leonards are calm and gentle, the kind of water where toddlers can splash about happily and first-time swimmers find their confidence. It’s a coastline made for long, lazy afternoons, building sandcastles while the grown-ups settle in with a good book.
Cross to the ocean side and the mood changes. At Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and 13th Beach, the surf rolls in, and older kids can try a lesson while everyone else cheers from the sand. At Barwon Heads, time your visit with low tide and go rock-pooling beneath the Bluff. Keep driving and you’ll reach Torquay, where the Great Ocean Road officially begins.
Whichever side you choose, stick to patrolled beaches and swim between the red and yellow flags.
Some of the Bellarine’s best memories are made away from the water.
There’s something timeless about a steam train, and the volunteer-run Bellarine Railway carries families between Queenscliff and Drysdale along the edge of Swan Bay. Trains run on set days rather than every day, so it’s worth checking the timetable before you go.
For younger kids, Fairy Park at Anakie is pure magic. Opened in 1959 and still run by the family who built it, it’s a world of fairytale scenes and castles that has been charming children for generations.
When the mercury climbs, Adventure Park near Geelong is the place to be. Billed as Victoria’s biggest water theme park, it opens through the warmer months with slides, splash zones and rides to burn off plenty of energy.
For a real wildlife moment, Sea All Dolphin Swims heads out from Queenscliff to snorkel with the resident dolphins and seals of Port Phillip Bay. There’s no minimum age, so even little ones can join in with a parent alongside.
When the weather turns, Geelong has a couple of great indoor escapes. The National Wool Museum is housed in a grand old bluestone woolstore on Moorabool Street, and it brings the story of Australian wool to life, from the shearing shed to the mill floor, with hands-on activities to keep curious kids busy. It’s a fascinating look at an industry that helped shape the region. And down the road in Torquay, the Australian National Surfing Museum is a fun way to while away an hour on a day the waves aren’t cooperating.
If you’d like a little inspiration, Visit Geelong and the Bellarine has put together a “Curious kids. Big day out.” itinerary, packed with castles, steam trains, playgrounds and fish and chips by the water.
Here’s one the kids won’t forget. Port Phillip Ferries sail from Melbourne’s Docklands to Portarlington in about 70 minutes, so part of the family can arrive by boat while someone else tows the van down. Timetables change with the seasons, so check before planning around it.
The beauty of the Bellarine is that there’s a park to match every kind of family holiday, from beachfront camping to resort-style fun.
If calm water is top of the list, Bellarine Bayside Holiday Parks puts you right on the foreshore. Its main park in Portarlington is open all year, with jumping pillows and playgrounds on the doorstep, powered sites, and two-bedroom cabins that sleep five or six. For a more back-to-basics summer, it also opens seasonal foreshore reserves at Indented Head and St Leonards, where you can camp beside the bay, just steps from the water. These are booked through reception rather than online, and summer is popular: from 18 December to 31 January there’s a seven-night minimum stay.
Just around the corner, Dylene Holiday Park sits a minute’s walk from Half Moon Bay. Kids will gravitate to the pool, playground, mini golf and games room, while kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are on hand for exploring the bay.
For families who like a holiday with all the bells and whistles, BIG4 Bellarine Holiday Park in Ocean Grove is hard to beat. An indoor heated pool, splash park, three jumping pillows, adventure playground, flying fox and go-karts mean the kids may not want to leave the park at all.
If you’d rather be close to nature, Barwon Heads Caravan Park sits where the Barwon River meets the sea. It’s a short walk to the surf at 13th Beach and the rock pools beneath the Bluff, with playgrounds and sports courts for downtime. Just note it’s a pet-free park.
Staying closer to Geelong puts the city’s waterfront and attractions within easy reach. Geelong Holiday Park (formerly Barwon River Holiday Park) in Belmont is a big hit with younger kids, thanks to its pool and wading pool, giant jumping pillow, playgrounds, pedal go-karts and dinosaur adventure garden.
Nearby, Tasman Holiday Parks Geelong is tucked among the gum trees on the riverbank, with swimming pools, a jumping pillow, a playground and a games room to keep everyone entertained.
Summer books out quickly across the region, so lock in your dates early. You’ll find more parks to explore at CRPVic Discover.
Heading down in November? Time your trip with the Geelong Caravanning & Adventure Leisurefest at Geelong Racecourse, from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November. Wander through the latest caravans, campers and camping gear, then trade the showground for the sand and enjoy the rest of the weekend at the beach.
Book your park early, especially for the school holidays. Check timetables for trains, ferries and tours before setting out. Pack a jumper, because even summer evenings can turn cool by the water. And always swim at patrolled beaches, between the flags.
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