Guidebook for Ocean Grove
Food Scene
This has been redeveloped at the Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club, and with the beach below there are views from Pt Lonsdale to Barwon Heads.
69 residents recomanen
The Dunes Cafe Bar
Surf Beach RoadThis has been redeveloped at the Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club, and with the beach below there are views from Pt Lonsdale to Barwon Heads.
Drop in for coffee and cake, or maybe something more. It's a favourite among locals, but hard to get a seat!
56 residents recomanen
Annie's Provedore
50 Hitchcock AveDrop in for coffee and cake, or maybe something more. It's a favourite among locals, but hard to get a seat!
There's not much better than sitting out the front with friends watching the world meander by along lazy Hitchcock Avenue. This used to be the fire station but is now a vibrant bar that's great for all day dining and drinks with friends into the night.
39 residents recomanen
BeachHouse Barwon Heads
48 Hitchcock AveThere's not much better than sitting out the front with friends watching the world meander by along lazy Hitchcock Avenue. This used to be the fire station but is now a vibrant bar that's great for all day dining and drinks with friends into the night.
The views here are spectacular, stretching beyond Pt Lonsdale to Portsea. The tide rushes past, transforming the shoreline between high and low tides. A great place for brunch, drinks or coffee, but other places I've listed have the mains and desserts covered. Kids can play in the shallows below while you "supervise" from the deck above. (The current is quite strong beyond the pier though).
97 residents recomanen
At the Heads
1A Jetty RdThe views here are spectacular, stretching beyond Pt Lonsdale to Portsea. The tide rushes past, transforming the shoreline between high and low tides. A great place for brunch, drinks or coffee, but other places I've listed have the mains and desserts covered. Kids can play in the shallows below while you "supervise" from the deck above. (The current is quite strong beyond the pier though).
Now renamed Dawn, it is opposite the beach. This is the closest café to our house, and they do a great job of breakfast and lunch. We're fans of the milkshakes.
22 residents recomanen
Cheeky Cow
131 Ocean TrwyNow renamed Dawn, it is opposite the beach. This is the closest café to our house, and they do a great job of breakfast and lunch. We're fans of the milkshakes.
These are your stock standard pizza shop pizzas: a bit heavy for me I must admit! There are two stores: one in Market Square up the hill, and the other in The Terrace in the main part of town.
Ocean Grove Pizza and Pasta
2 Kingston Downs DrThese are your stock standard pizza shop pizzas: a bit heavy for me I must admit! There are two stores: one in Market Square up the hill, and the other in The Terrace in the main part of town.
Fine dining by day and night, it also has a quirky cellar door and garden for more casual drinks and food.
93 residents recomanen
Oakdene Vineyards, Restaurant and Cellar Door
255 Grubb RdFine dining by day and night, it also has a quirky cellar door and garden for more casual drinks and food.
There are some great spaces inside and out, with even some outdoor games like quoits outside. The place is sustainable and the menu features organic food.
40 residents recomanen
Kyosk Cafe
91 The ParadeThere are some great spaces inside and out, with even some outdoor games like quoits outside. The place is sustainable and the menu features organic food.
Cafe, restaurant and wine tasting with views across to the You Yangs and Melbourne in the distance. Room for the kids to run around. Fantastic food and wine.
151 residents recomanen
Jack Rabbit
85 McAdams LnCafe, restaurant and wine tasting with views across to the You Yangs and Melbourne in the distance. Room for the kids to run around. Fantastic food and wine.
Food, wine and views across the bay towards Melbourne at this lovely winery.
52 residents recomanen
Terindah Estate
90 McAdams LnFood, wine and views across the bay towards Melbourne at this lovely winery.
Wood-fired pizzas and award-winning wines at this vineyard just a few minutes drive away.
19 residents recomanen
McGlashan's Wallington Estate
225 Swan Bay RdWood-fired pizzas and award-winning wines at this vineyard just a few minutes drive away.
Mavros Fish and Chips
70 The TerraceFish and chips in the main Ocean Grove shopping strip.
Cellar door and cafe with views across Swan Bay towards Queenscliff.
78 residents recomanen
Basils Farm
43-53 Nye RdCellar door and cafe with views across Swan Bay towards Queenscliff.
Blackman's own beers on tap and a range of burgers and other foods.
18 residents recomanen
Blackman's Brewery & Burger Bar
82 The TerraceBlackman's own beers on tap and a range of burgers and other foods.
Leura Park Estate
1400 Portarlington RdLovely wine and pizzas with a rural homestead vibe with alfresco and outdoor areas looking past the vines to Corio Bay. The wine tasting is a treat.
27 residents recomanen
Bennetts on Bellarine
2171 Portarlington RdLovely wine and pizzas with a rural homestead vibe with alfresco and outdoor areas looking past the vines to Corio Bay. The wine tasting is a treat.
'Dawn' is the closest café to our house, and is opposite the beach. They do a great job of breakfast and lunch. And cakes! We're fans of the milkshakes.
Dawn Cafe
'Dawn' is the closest café to our house, and is opposite the beach. They do a great job of breakfast and lunch. And cakes! We're fans of the milkshakes.
Fantastic and imaginative all day brunch menu as well as a separate lunch menu.
17 residents recomanen
Barwon Ebb & Flow
1 Flinders ParadeFantastic and imaginative all day brunch menu as well as a separate lunch menu.
Essentials
Woolworths Ocean Grove
20 Kingston Downs DrColes
77 The TerraceOcean Grove Medical Clinic
75 The ParadeThis hospital opened in 2016, and we hope it's better than Geelong Hospital, where three members oof our family have endured some ordinary care.
Epworth Geelong Emergency Department
1A Epworth PlaceThis hospital opened in 2016, and we hope it's better than Geelong Hospital, where three members oof our family have endured some ordinary care.
This is about 20 minutes away but we've endured some ordinary care there. The new Epworth Geelong Hospital in Waurn Ponds is a little further away but you may be seen sooner and hopefully get better care there.
16 residents recomanen
Geelong Hospital station
This is about 20 minutes away but we've endured some ordinary care there. The new Epworth Geelong Hospital in Waurn Ponds is a little further away but you may be seen sooner and hopefully get better care there.
ALDI Ocean Grove
22 Coastal BoulevardShopping
Tonik Surf Centre
62 Hitchcock Ave Surf clothing brands
THE Green Room
64 The Terrace Surf wear and surfboard hire
Strapper Surf Ocean Grove
67 The TerraceSurf gear
The Tenby Store
44 Hesse StCoastal themed homewares.
A selection of vintage items, antiques, trinkets, knickknacks, industrial furniture and rustic items.
Eddie's Emporium (Eddie's on Mainstreet)
A selection of vintage items, antiques, trinkets, knickknacks, industrial furniture and rustic items.
There's a string of iconic surf shops in a row here, all about 20 minutes away by car.
17 residents recomanen
Baines Beach Surf Seconds Torquay
16 Baines CresThere's a string of iconic surf shops in a row here, all about 20 minutes away by car.
Entertainment & Activities
Swimming, tennis courts, skate park, footy oval
8 residents recomanen
Bellarine Aquatic & Sports Centre
Shell RoadSwimming, tennis courts, skate park, footy oval
Collendina Reserve
Footy oval with cricket nets
They conduct barefoot bowls afternoons in summer: a fun introduction that's suitable for young families.
Point Lonsdale Bowls Club
Point Lonsdale RoadThey conduct barefoot bowls afternoons in summer: a fun introduction that's suitable for young families.
Water slides and other attractions. It's not on the scale of Wet 'n Wild though.
169 residents recomanen
Estació del parc d'aventures
1249 Bellarine HwyWater slides and other attractions. It's not on the scale of Wet 'n Wild though.
If the surf's not great at the bottom of our street you could try here. It's spectacular coastline and worth a look anyway.
6 residents recomanen
13th Beach Barwon Heads Surf Life Saving Club
330 Thirteenth Beach RdIf the surf's not great at the bottom of our street you could try here. It's spectacular coastline and worth a look anyway.
This is ranked among the best golf courses in Australia.
13th Beach Golf Links/Barwon Heads Rd station
This is ranked among the best golf courses in Australia.
This course is more suitable for beginners and occasional hackers. It only has 13 holes, with the additional five holes beginning from a different tee.
15 residents recomanen
Ocean Grove Boat Ramp
Guthridge StreetThis course is more suitable for beginners and occasional hackers. It only has 13 holes, with the additional five holes beginning from a different tee.
This place has two really good minigolf courses complete with hydraulics sending your ball up and down different levels.
27 residents recomanen
Bellarine Adventure Golf
1540 Bellarine HwyThis place has two really good minigolf courses complete with hydraulics sending your ball up and down different levels.
There's more variety for skaters than the bowl at Ocean Grove's Aquatic Centre.
Barwon Heads Skate Park
15 Sheepwash RdThere's more variety for skaters than the bowl at Ocean Grove's Aquatic Centre.
If the weather is inclement, the movies are only 20 minutes away in Geelong (Village) and Waurn Ponds.
23 residents recomanen
Village Cinemas
194-200 Ryrie StIf the weather is inclement, the movies are only 20 minutes away in Geelong (Village) and Waurn Ponds.
Bellarine Horse Riding Centre
Barry LaneKoombahla Park Equestrian Centre
365 Wallington RdWallington Park Equestrian Centre
1625 Bellarine HwyThe Barwon Heads Golf Club
Golf Links RoadSwim with dolphins and seals
HMAS Canberra was sunk off Ocean Grove a few years ago, so experienced divers may be able to arrange a tour.
7 residents recomanen
Queenscliff Grocer IGA
73 Hesse StHMAS Canberra was sunk off Ocean Grove a few years ago, so experienced divers may be able to arrange a tour.
Golf driving range with food and drink and a minigolf course. Balls, burger and beverage $25-30.
11 residents recomanen
The Range @ Curlewis
1201 Portarlington RdGolf driving range with food and drink and a minigolf course. Balls, burger and beverage $25-30.
Curlewis Golf Club
1419 Portarlington RdDrinks & Nightlife
Opposite Adventure Park, enjoy a few drinks and all day casual dining on their big open lawn (or inside too) until 11 pm.
82 residents recomanen
Flying Brick Cider Co
1269 Bellarine HwyOpposite Adventure Park, enjoy a few drinks and all day casual dining on their big open lawn (or inside too) until 11 pm.
Barwon Heads Hotel
1 Bridge RdThis is always had a bad reputation, particularly for food. It's saving grace is the beer garden, which has a couple of in-ground trampolines and a toddler's play area (climbing/slides) so young families might find it worth a visit.
20 residents recomanen
Ocean Grove Hotel
175 Bonnyvale RdThis is always had a bad reputation, particularly for food. It's saving grace is the beer garden, which has a couple of in-ground trampolines and a toddler's play area (climbing/slides) so young families might find it worth a visit.
Queenscliff Brewhouse is home to over 200 Craft Beers & Ciders and is all about local – local wines, beers, produce and live music. With an onsite Microbrewery, Whisky Bar, Regional Produce Tasting Room, Bistro, Bar, beer garden and terraces with views of the bay. The Brewhouse offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and all day tasting plates with the focus on local and seasonal produce. Try the beer tasting paddles, regional wine tastings or whisky flights. Shuttle bus available: call 5258 1717 to book ahead.
25 residents recomanen
Queenscliff Brewhouse
2 Gellibrand StQueenscliff Brewhouse is home to over 200 Craft Beers & Ciders and is all about local – local wines, beers, produce and live music. With an onsite Microbrewery, Whisky Bar, Regional Produce Tasting Room, Bistro, Bar, beer garden and terraces with views of the bay. The Brewhouse offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and all day tasting plates with the focus on local and seasonal produce. Try the beer tasting paddles, regional wine tastings or whisky flights. Shuttle bus available: call 5258 1717 to book ahead.
This is a beautiful old hotel with an art exhibition and the fabulous 18th Amendment bar operating on weekends.
The Royal Queenscliff
This is a beautiful old hotel with an art exhibition and the fabulous 18th Amendment bar operating on weekends.
This speakeasy is upstairs from a nondescript doorway that's easy to walk past. Moody inside with great cocktails.
13 residents recomanen
The 18th Amendment Bar
82A Little Malop StThis speakeasy is upstairs from a nondescript doorway that's easy to walk past. Moody inside with great cocktails.
Geelong Cellar Door
99 Little Malop StFeatures a wonderful wall of wines from the region.
Noble Rot
51 Point Lonsdale RdA lovely bar with great tapas. Open from 4 pm Wed-Sun.
Sightseeing
The Barwon Heads bridge is about a 50-60 minute walk along the beach from the bottom of our street. The shoreline changes remarkable from low to high tide, and the many cafés in Barwon Heads are a great reward for your exertions!
Bridge Road
Bridge RoadThe Barwon Heads bridge is about a 50-60 minute walk along the beach from the bottom of our street. The shoreline changes remarkable from low to high tide, and the many cafés in Barwon Heads are a great reward for your exertions!
Torquay is iconic, with great beaches and shopping - particularly if you're into surfing or skating. Jan Juc is a great surf beach, while the Torquay foreshore is gently for young families or those looking for an alternative to a surf beach.
73 residents recomanen
Torquay
Torquay is iconic, with great beaches and shopping - particularly if you're into surfing or skating. Jan Juc is a great surf beach, while the Torquay foreshore is gently for young families or those looking for an alternative to a surf beach.
About 30 minutes away, this iconic surf beach is where the Bells Classic is held each Easter. It's astonishing seeing the world's best surfers ride waves hundreds of metres right into shore.
219 residents recomanen
Bells Beach
About 30 minutes away, this iconic surf beach is where the Bells Classic is held each Easter. It's astonishing seeing the world's best surfers ride waves hundreds of metres right into shore.
The walk to the lighthouse at low tide takes about 75-90 minutes and is spectacular. Even better if you're met at one of the cafés for brunch before being driven home!
37 residents recomanen
Faro de Point Lonsdale
9-13 Point Lonsdale RdThe walk to the lighthouse at low tide takes about 75-90 minutes and is spectacular. Even better if you're met at one of the cafés for brunch before being driven home!
This fort guarded Port Phillip Bay and has an interesting history that is told well during the guided tour.
29 residents recomanen
Fort Queenscliff Museum
Gellibrand StreetThis fort guarded Port Phillip Bay and has an interesting history that is told well during the guided tour.
Everything Else
In inclement weather you can drive to Geelong in 20 minutes, where you can see a movie, go shopping or find a place to eat or drink.
24 residents recomanen
Geelong
In inclement weather you can drive to Geelong in 20 minutes, where you can see a movie, go shopping or find a place to eat or drink.
Chi sanctuary Day Spa
67 Hitchcock Ave