Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove has very little in the way of large commercial accommodation establishments such as hotels or resorts. There are 2 motels and 3 caravan or camping parks. Ocean Grove does have much more in self catering and holiday type accommodation such as bed and breakfasts (also known as bnb and b&b), apartments, holiday houses, cottages, cabins, guesthouses, but no back packers.

Self catering accommodation – Apartments, holiday houses, cottages, cabins, b&b’s and guesthouses in Ocean Grove are:

Tourist, Caravan or Holiday Parks in Ocean Grove are:

• Ocean Grove Holiday Park
• Riverview Family Caravan Park
• Collendina Caravan Park

The Motels in Ocean Grove are:

• Boat Ramp Motel
• Ocean Grove Motor Inn

The Hotel in Ocean Grove is:

The nearest hotel is the Barwon Heads Hotel

The Backpackers or Hostels in Ocean Grove is:

there is no hostel in Ocean Grove, nearest in Torquay or Queenscliff.

Ocean Grove Information:

Ocean Grove is located on the Bellarine Peninsula, 25 km south-west of Geelong and 98 km south of Melbourne. It lies on the eastern bank of the Barwon River estuary which separates it from its twin town Barwon Heads. 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. Ocean Grove has a population of 12,000.
The area is thought to have been occupied by the Wathawurung people prior to European settlement which commenced in 1854 when William Bonsey took up a property. He used the wattle bark he found on the property to establish a leather-tanning industry. In 1887 two Wesleyan missionaries from Ocean Grove, New Jersey bought the land on which the town now stands. They failed although the name has remained.

Things to See and Do:

Smiths Beach - Smiths Beach is the town's ocean beach popular for swimming, surfing and fishing. A surf lifesaving club is located off Surf Beach Rd. Yachting, waterskiing and scuba diving are also popular in local waters.

Foreshore Reserve - A long narrow promontory extends from the residential area of Ocean Grove south-west towards Barwon Heads. The river is on one side of this promontory and the ocean on the other.

Ocean Grove Nature Reserve and Other Parklands - Ocean Grove Nature Reserve (143 ha) is the only remaining section of substantial native bushland on the Peninsula. It is home to a koala community and the ant blue butterfly which was only discovered this century. The reserve is located at the northern edge of town, on the western side of Grubb Rd (an extension of Tuckfield St). There are two 3-km walking tracks and two bird hides. Pedestrian access is daily but vehicle access is only on weekends.

Begola Wetlands - Feature a range of waterbirds and can be accessed off Emperor Drive.

Bluff Lookout - Spectacular views over Barwon Heads

A Maze 'n' Things - If you follow Grubb Rd north to the intersection with the Bellarine Highway (6 km from the centre of Ocean Grove) you will see A Maze 'n' Things which features a giant three-dimensional wooden maze, a puzzle and jigsaw centre, a croquet court and a putting green. It is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and doubles as something of a tourist information centre for the Peninsula, ph: (03) 5250 2669.

Bellarine Adventure Golf - Opposite A Maze 'n' Things is Bellarine Adventure Golf, a mini-golf course, ph: (03) 5250 3777.

Reedy Swamp and Lake Connewarre - Just to the north-west of town 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. Access is via a series of roads which run off the Wallington Rd and the Bellarine Highway.

Adventure Park - Set in 52 acres of picturesque parkland, Adventure Park has a wide range of activities for families, including a 115-metre raft waterslide, go-karts, jumping castles, volleyball, a merry-go-round, paddleboats, the Big Bouncer, flying foxes, an archery range, mini-golf, aqua bikes, moon bikes, jumping jets and canoes, the Paddle Pop Express Train and the Adventure Playground. To get there, follow the Wallington Rd north for 9 km to the Bellarine Highway and turn right. You will very soon come to a turnoff on the left onto Swanbay Rd. ph: (03) 5250 2756

Horseriding - The Australian Equestrian Academy is located at 1625 Bellarine Highway (just east of the intersection of the highway and Grubb Rd). Koombahla Park Equestrian Centre is located 1.5 km north of Ocean Grove at 365 Wallington Rd. It offers horseriding and tuition and is open by appointment, ph: (03) 5255 1020.