Like much of the wider Geelong region the indigenous people of the Wathaurong tribe lived on the Bellarine Peninsula long before European settlement began in the mid 1800’s. The Barwon River and other various water holes across the Peninsula were a good source of fresh water and were perfect breeding grounds for native birds and animals.
Named after Wallington in Hertfordshire, England. Wallington dates back to the 1850s when landholder, Fairfax Fenwick subdivided his property where Wallington now stands. In its heyday it was a popular stopover spot when on the way to Queenscliff or Ocean Grove.
The town of St Leonards took its name from a pastoral station that was in the area, which in turn, took its name from the town St Leonards in Sussex England. While the whole of the peninsula was once called Indented Head.
Queenscliff has been an important custodian of the entrance of the Port Phillip Heads with its fortress which was once one of the most heavily defended harbors in the entire British Empire. The fort is noted for firing the first Allied shot of World War 1 when it fired across the bow of a German Freighter.
Portarlington was once a major shipping port before the channel was dredged at the entrance of Corio Bay. Fishing and farming and more recently tourism have played a very important role in the foundation of this lovely bayside township.
The magnificent Point Lonsdale lighthouse, dates back to 1902 and is the town most prominent landmark. It’s beams radiate 30 kilometres out to sea and saved many vessels from dangerous reefs and the torturous rip over the years.
Originally set up as by an off shoot of an USA Methodist Church, Ocean Grove has become the biggest town on the Bellarine Peninsula and is home to thousands who commute to the Geelong area for work every day, but have a great lifestyle only minutes to the beautiful beaches.
The town of Drysdale was named after Miss Anne Drysdale who with Miss Caroline Newcomb owned several acres of land in the area, building a stone house named Coriyule in 1849, which still exists today some 160 years later.
Many a fine vessel has succumb to the treacherous rocky outcrops in the shallows around the Bluff at Barwon Heads. The area is home to many shipwrecks and has taken many a person to a watery grave.
