For the warm summer nights, taking advantage of the Park’s BBQ facilities is as good an option as any but there’s a wealth of food and drink spots to check out whilst you’re on the Bellarine Peninsula.

For your morning coffee, our favourite spot is Driftwood Café in Ocean Grove. It’s a local haunt with consistently great coffee and a solid breakfast lineup. Another excellent option is Dawn Café, a smaller, stylish spot serving quality espresso and fresh, simple daytime dishes. It’s just a short walk from Collendina Holiday Park and features a breezy outdoor space to soak up the coastal air. 

For bakery and bread enthusiasts, Ket Baker is a must. A short drive away and known widely across the region, their pastries are next level. Think flaky croissants, fruit danishes and sourdough that disappears way too quickly. We usually leave with far more than we planned.

For lunch, Chang Noi is our go-to for fresh, flavourful Thai. The stir-fries and curries are generous, fragrant and perfect after a morning at the beach. If you’re eating early enough, the lunch specials are great value and ideal for families. 

Dinner is best spent at the classic coastal pub, the Ocean Grove Hotel. The menu features the classics - Schnitzels, seafood, steaks and great beers on tap. It’s a great spot to settle in after a day’s adventures with its stunning grass beer garden. For something with a view, At The Heads in Barwon Heads is one of the region’s iconic coastal spots. It’s a modern Australian restaurant perched on Barwon Heads pier. There’s not much better than enjoying a meal overlooking the water. We shared a range of their delicious entrees and snacks, including a prawn roll and Grilled WA Octopus.

You’re in a brilliant pocket of the Bellarine here, with plenty to explore whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family, or on a longer coastal escape.

Just ten minutes up the road, Point Lonsdale is one of the best photo opportunities in the region. The historic Point Lonsdale Lighthouse stands watch over the coastline, and the nearby walking paths offer sweeping ocean views. We like to wander along the foreshore and find a quiet patch of grass for a picnic while the waves roll in.

Barwon Heads is another easy stop and well worth it for the scenery. There’s beautiful beaches and the popular walking spot, the Barwon Heads Bluff.

If you’re travelling with kids, Adventure Park Geelong is one of those no-brainer days out in summer. Being Victoria’s largest water park, it delivers in a big way: waterslides, splash zones, rides and plenty of shaded areas to recharge between activities.

For something more relaxed, the Bellarine Rail Trail is a great option. Stretching from Geelong to Queenscliff, it’s an easy, safe route for riding or walking. 

If a winery stop is calling your name, McGlashan’s Wallington Estate is a quick drive and always a crowd favourite. Their cellar door pours a strong lineup of Bellarine wines, but what makes the visit especially fun is the on-site FarmDog Brewing, where you can mix things up with craft beer and gin tastings. Grab a seat overlooking the vines and settle in for a relaxed afternoon.

Sites here are spacious and open, which is great for spreading out, but shade can be limited in summer so make sure you plan accordingly if it’s going to be hot.