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Located an easy hour’s drive from Melbourne is Geelong and its neighbouring peninsula – The Bellarine, known by many for its industrial past. In recent years, this city has been reinvented, gone are the old, industrial spaces and replacing them are creative hubs, urban precincts and fabulous eateries. From the conversion of an old mill into the East Coast headquarters of Little Creatures Brewing to the transformation of the Waterfront into a spectacular place to stay and play, Geelong has changed.
Destination Dining
Home to some of Australia’s best regional dining, Geelong promises some of the most unforgettable dining experiences in the land of Australia.
Jack Rabbit
This gastronomic show piece of The Bellarine promises not only a stunning al a carte menu showcasing fresh, local produce - fabulous, approachable food but is constantly developing new dining concepts to re-define themselves.
Perched high above Port Phillip Bay overlooking the You Yangs, mussel farms and Melbourne, Jack Rabbit is a destination venue. It also incorporates an onsite smoking facility. Here, a sustainable approach is applied to the smoking process using smoking chips recycled from premium French Oak wine barrels, imparting a rich flavor to the trout, duck, local snapper and fresh Portarllington mussels .
Igni
Igni, a modest dining room on Ryan Place, Geelong, has been deemed the next best thing in Australian destination restaurant. Helmed by Head chef Aaron Turner, Igni offers two degustation menus (5 Courses and 8 Courses) curated by Turner himself, featuring only the freshest ingredients available for the day. On top of the wine pairing and impeccable service, one of the highlights of dining at Igni is the customized touch as he tries to cater to the likings/allergies of each guests so each table is unlikely to be served the same dish as the next.
Marty @ Oakdene
Oakdene, centrally located on The Bellarine, is home to a fine dining restaurant – Marty @ Oakdene, a casual eatery, luxurious accommodation and a quirky cellar door shaped like an upside-down house, reminiscent of the Wizard of Oz. Marty @ Oakdene restaurant boasts a modern Australian and European cuisine with an array of fresh local produce. Dishes represent seasonal ingredients with unique flavours and textures that will suit all tastes. Various dining options are available, including a la carte and degustation menus.
