Known as the Village by the Sea, Barwon Heads is one of the Geelong region’s premier holiday destinations with thousands of holiday makers making this lovely seaside town home over the summer months in the expansive campgrounds, boutique accommodation and quality B&Bs.
Situated about 22 km south east of Geelong Barwon Heads as the name suggests is where the Barwon River which originates high in the Otways reaches the sea. The Barwon River separates the town from Ocean Grove which is on the Bellarine Peninsula by the Barwon Heads Bridge which has become the town’s most controversial feature. Residents and the government battled for years on replacing the original 1927 structure which spanned the river.
The town has transformed and grown over the last decade from a sleepy seaside town to a vibrant and exciting township with a great selection of cafe’s restaurants and boutiques along its main street Hitchcock Street. One of the main reasons for the new found interest in Barwon Heads was its feature on the ABC television series Seachange staring Sigrid Thorton and John Howard (The one from All Saints, not the ex PM) which was filmed in the town during the late 1990’s.
The giant bluff at the mouth of the Barwon River is just as well known as the bridge this huge limestone cliff face offers shelter to the river mouth and protects the sandy shores making it ideal and fairly safe for swimming and also offer great protection to the large campgrounds at its base. On the south side of the bluff their is surf beach the long sandy beaches including 13th beach are some of the best surf beaches in the region.
Two of the state’s best golf clubs are also in easy reach of Barwon Heads. Golf has been played at the Barwon Heads Golf Club since 1907 and today it is one of the most scenic 18 hole greens in Australia. With beautiful rolling hills and amazing views of the coastline the course also features a historic clubhouse with magnificent old world charm. Playing the course may be expensive but the experience is breathtaking. 13th Beach Golf Links is a new course in the area only opening in 2001. The natural course was voted amongst the top 25 courses in Australia and was designed by golfing legends Tony Cashmore and Nick Faldo. The course features 36 holes and a residential complex.
There is plenty of nature to see and enjoy around Barwon Heads, with the river and connecting Reedy Swamp and Lake Connewarre attracting an amazing array of bird life including ibis, spoonbills, pelicans and ducks. Some of Lake Connewarre is a state game reserve and has been popular over the years with shooters during duck hunting season. Fishing is also a great past time which attracts many to Barwon Heads, with fishing from the jetties, beaches and boats all popular. The township has some great places to ride bikes and plenty of walking tracks to experience the fresh sea air from Bass Strait.
Barwon Heads is home to about 1300 permanent residents and swells to three or more times the size over the summer with thousands flocking to the laid back lifestyle for outdoor activities or just plain relaxation. The town is less than half an hour to the centre of Geelong and a great place to explore the Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Great Ocean Road all within minutes.
