The beach at Ocean Grove

Barwon Heads
One of the major holiday destinations on the Bellarine Peninsula.
For decades Barwon Heads was just another sleepy seaside holiday destination. Then it was used as the location for the hugely successful ABC-TV series SeaChange and it became a place where people wanted to go to check out the television sites.

Barwon Heads is situated on the Bellarine Peninsula 22 km south-east of Geelong and 95 km south-west of Melbourne. Its population in 1996 was 2128. It lies on the western bank of the Barwon River estuary which separates it from its twin town Ocean Grove. The river connects the ocean to Lake Connewarre.

As these towns possess both the closest ocean beaches to Geelong and safe family beaches along the riverbank, they are popular holiday destinations with a wide range of accommodation and holiday activities. Barwon Heads is somewhat quieter and smaller than Ocean Grove. The town has two jetties (off Ewing Blyth Drive and Ozone Rd) and two boat-launching ramps off River Parade.

Prior to European settlement the area is thought to have been occupied by the Wathawurung people and it is from their language that the name 'Barwon' derives.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
Tourist information is available from the Geelong Otway Tourist Information Centre in Geelong (tel: 03 5222 2900, or free-call 1800 620 888), from the Queenscliff Information Centre (tel: 03 5258 4843) and from the Bellarine Peninsula Visitor Information Centre, tel: (03) 5250 2669.

Beaches and the Barwon Heads Golf Club
Safe swimming can be enjoyed from the long sandy river foreshore (access via Flinders Parade or off Ewing Blyth Drive) at the river mouth. Thirteenth Beach is a popular ocean beach (access off the Barwon Heads-Torquay Rd which extends from Ewing Blyth Drive). Behind it is a golf course (access via Golf Links Rd) which is considered one of Victoria's most scenic as it is set situated amidst rolling, coastal hills and sand dunes with outstanding oceanic views. However, the fees are VERY substantial.

Parks and Walks
A walking-cycling track follows Ewing Blyth Drive as it bends west as Torquay Rd. Another passes through Village Park (where there are picnic facilities and a playground), connecting Geelong Rd and Wandin Crescent. Another park with picnic-barbecue-playground facilities can be found behind the river beach adjacent Flinders Parade.

The view from Bluff Lookout across Barwon Heads

The Bluff
'The Bluff' (also known as Barwon Head) extends out from the south-eastern corner of town beyond the river mouth and out into Bass Strait. It is made of limestone which overlays lava deposits but his formation also extends further out to sea forming submarine reefs which caused a dozen shipwrecks between 1850 and 1890. Bluff Rd (which runs off Ewing Blyth Drive) leads to a carpark, an ocean lookout and walking tracks. A monument honours those killed in the wreck of the Earl of Charlemont in 1853.

The Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary
The Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a range of native animals. There is a hospital where sick, injured or orphaned animals are nursed back to health. They are returned to the wild where appropriate while others remain at the sanctuary. To get there head north on Sheepwash Rd from the roundabout where the Geelong-Barwon Heads Rd, Golf Links Rd and Sheepwash Rd meet. Turn left onto Taits Rd and you will soon see the sanctuary to the right, tel: (03) 5254 2484. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Breamlea
Breamlea is about 10 km west on the coast, between Barwon Heads and Torquay. Beneath the high sand dunes is Bancoora, a well-known surfing beach. Access is via the Barwon Heads-Torquay Rd which runs off Ewing Blyth Drive.

Minya Winery
If you continue west from Breamlea along the Torquay Rd there is a turnoff on the right into Minya Lane where you will find the Minya Winery which is open by appointment, tel: (03) 5264 1397 or (0408) 312 865.

Reedy Swamp and Lake Connewarre
Just to the north-west of Barwon Heads are Lake Connewarre and Reedy Swamp which are important migratory bird habitats and hence are havens for waterbirds such as bitterns, swamp hens, ibis, spoonbills, egrets, cormorants and herons. There are mangrove swamps in Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve on the southern shore. Access is via a series of roads which run off the Barwon Heads-Geelong Rd..

A Book About The Great Ocean Road
The best book about the Great Ocean Road is the remarkably cheap ($19.95 for a full colour hardback) book by Port Campbell photographer, Rodney Hyett. It is 96 pages long and has everything you could possibly want ­ great photographs, maps of the area, a potted history of the area, details about national parks and visitor information centres, accommodation, walking tracks, even details of the region's eight lighthouses and succinct (not as detailed as this website) pieces of information about all the major destinations from Queenscliff to Cape Bridgewater. If you are planning to travel the Great Ocean Road and explore the totality of its attractions this is a small masterpiece of publishing and a great travel guide. It is available from many shops along the way and can be ordered from Port Campbell Shopping at http://www.portcampbellshopping.com.au.

	Hotels
	Barwon Heads Hotel Cnr Ewing Blyth Dve & Bridge Rd Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5254 2201 or (03) 5254 2918 Facsimile: (03) 5254 2182 Rating: **1/2
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Lill-Brey on Barwon 2a Ozone Rd Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5243 8808, 0417379 860 Facsimile: (03) 5244 5039 Email: lill_breyonbarwon@hotmail.com Rating: ***1/2
	Cottages & Cabins
	Ramsgate House 2 Ramsgate Tce Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5254 1617 or 0414 895 317 Email: ramsgatehouse@hotmail.com
	Seahaven Village 1-7 Geelong Rd Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5244 1066 Rating: ***
	The Blue House 86 Sheepwash Rd Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: 0418 361 476
	Tobermory B & B 16 Bridge Rd Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5255 4444 Facsimile: (03) 5255 4744 Rating: ****
	Caravan Parks
	Barwon Heads Park on foreshore Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5254 1115 Facsimile: (03) 5254 2762 Rating: **
	Rondor Park Cnr Sheepwash Rd & River Pde Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5254 2753 Facsimile: (03) 5254 2706 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	At the Heads Jetty Rd Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5254 1277
	Barwon Heads Hotel Cnr Ewing Blyth Dve & Bridge Rd Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5254 2201
	Cafés
	Beachnik Cafe 46 Hitchcock Ave Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5254 3376
	Signature Licensed Cafe 45 Hitchcock Ave Barwon Heads VIC 3227 Telephone: (03) 5254 1538