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INDULGE ON GASTRONOMY TRAILS
Geelong and The Bellarine is an area outgrowing its industrial past and evolving into an easily accessible visit of reinvented spaces, world-class food and wine, adventure, big city and small villages, a burgeoning cultural scene and water everywhere you look. Come at it from any angle and you will be pleasantly surprised by what’s on offer in one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia.
Geelong is an hour from Melbourne and the seaside villages of The Bellarine are just another 30 minutes away. Geelong will delight with its north-facing bay, a waterfront that sparkles against palm trees, yachts, and a whimsical bollard trail, to a food precinct spanning global flavours and adjacent cultural scene with outstanding facilities for learning, creativity and performing arts. Meander east to a slower pace on The Bellarine where life is all about the coast, saltwater-bathed villages and wide-open spaces for farm gates, cellar doors and enriching food experiences.
Arts and Culture
Geelong’s growing cultural highlights include the futuristic glassy dome, Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, the Geelong Gallery as one of Australia’s oldest regional art galleries, Geelong Arts Centre which will soon be the largest regional space for creative and performing arts in Australia, and the National Wool Museum which celebrates Geelong’s time as ‘wool centre of the world’.
Active Outdoors
Water dominates in these parts and learning to surf is a popular pastime, as is discovering seals and dolphins with Sea All Dolphin Swims, land-based activities such as hiking and biking and playing golf. Yes, three of Australia’s Top 10 public acess golf courses are right here (Gold Australia Magazine 2022)!
From first-class surf breaks, charming seaside villages and award-winning cool climate wineries, to a gourmet food scene and historic streetscapes, the Bellarine Peninsula is an absolute treasure trove just waiting to be discovered.
One gourmet way to unearth the treasures is by taking on the Bellarine Taste Trail. The Bellarine Taste Trail highlights vineyards in glorious locations near the coast, often with breath-taking views of the water. Think Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Terindah Estate and Basils Farm, as well as other favourites on the drinks list: cider, gin, and whisky. Makers and growers are rearing or crafting deliciousness in all parts of these rural and coastal spots, and you’ll discover the gems at cellar doors, farm gates and provedores hop-skipping and jumping from one town to the next.
A highlight is the famous Portarlington mussels, grown in waters visible along the coastline and found at The Little Mussel Café in Portarlington.
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In the middle of The Bellarine, Flying Brick Cider exhibits various flavours and fruit ciders. Gin lovers unite, a Bellarine hotspot that’s become a favourite is The Whiskery. Positioned in a converted rustic farm shed, four made onsite gins await for tasting.
For a unique dining experience, The Q Train is a moving restaurant within a converted steam train. It’s been enjoying rave reviews for both its well-executed, locally sourced menu and the rhythmic rocking of the train as the locomotive moves from coastal to rural landscapes. For the ideal bread and butter combination, try Ket Baker and Lard Ass Butter or for perfectly smoked fish, the Bellarine Smokehouse.
For more information, please visit: thebellarinetastetrail.com.au.
