48 Hours on the Bellarine Peninsula

Sometimes the best trips are the simplest. A couple of days by the coast. Slower mornings. Long lunches that drift into the afternoon.

The Bellarine Peninsula is made for that kind of escape. Especially in winter, when the crowds thin out and the region settles into a gentler pace.Think cosy cellar doors, crisp sea air rolling off the bay, long lunches by the water and coastal towns best explored slowly.

Whether you stay in Geelong, Portarlington or Ocean Grove, this flexible 48-hour itinerary gives you space to slow down and experience a different side of the Bellarine Peninsula.

Choose your Bellarine base

Where you stay shapes the pace of your trip.

Stay central in Geelong - Geelong Holiday Park. Stay in cabins, villas or powered sites close to the heart of Geelong. Best for easy days between the waterfront, local dining, galleries and family attractions.
 

Stay bayside in Portarlington - Dylene Holiday Park. Stay in waterfront cabins or spacious caravan and camping sites moments from the foreshore. Best for slow mornings by the bay, easy walks into town and weekends spent exploring the Bellarine.
 

Stay coastal in Ocean Grove - Collendina Caravan Park. A relaxed park offering caravan and camping sites right by the beach. Best for surf days, coastal walks and afternoons spent between Ocean Grove’s cafés, shops and sandy stretches.
 

Each offers a comfortable base for exploring the Bellarine at your own pace.

Day 1: Geelong culture and a winery afternoon

Morning: Geelong sightseeing

Start slowly in Geelong, where culture and green space sit side by side.

You can begin with a wander through Geelong Gallery, known for its Australian art collection and calm atmosphere.

For something a little different, the National Wool Museum offers an insight into the region’s history and its connection to the wool industry. It’s an easy, engaging stop, particularly on cooler or wet days.

From there, take your time in the nearby Geelong Botanic Gardens. Open daily and free to visit, the gardens are a good place to ease into holiday mode, with shaded paths and a slower pace that sets the tone for your stay.

Lunch: A long Bellarine lunch

Head onto the peninsula and settle in for a relaxed lunch.

For a classic Bellarine experience, visit Jack Rabbit Vineyard for local wine and sweeping bay views. Or, for something more casual, stop by Flying Brick Cider House.

Let lunch stretch longer than planned. That’s part of the experience.

Afternoon: Choose your own pace

After lunch, the Bellarine opens up.

• Take a scenic coastal drive between bayside towns
• Stop at a cellar door or local produce store along the way
• Stretch your legs on a coastal trail
• Or head back towards Geelong for a waterfront wander

This is your time to explore, or not. Some afternoons are for doing very little.

Evening: Geelong dining or a coastal wind-down

If you feel like heading out, spend the evening in Geelong.

Enjoy dinner along the waterfront, then settle in for a relaxed drink at one of Geelong’s local bars. On some evenings, live music and seasonal events bring a little extra energy to the foreshore. Explore local winter events here.

If you would rather keep things simple:

• takeaway fish and chips by the foreshore
• a quiet drink outside your cabin
• a local pub meal
• or an early night

Simple, relaxed, and exactly what a few days away should feel like.

Day 2: Portarlington seafood and slow coastal days

Morning: Portarlington pier and foreshore

Start your day in Portarlington. A coffee and a walk along the Portarlington Pier and foreshore is a simple but memorable way to begin the day. The calm water and wide-open bay views make it easy to slow down.

Lunch: Fresh seafood by the water

Portarlington is known for its mussels and seafood. Settle in at a waterfront venue such as:

• Peir Street Café
• Portarlington Kitchen and Bar
• Portarlington Grand Hotel

If you want to explore further, consider the Portarlington Mussel Tour. Take your time. This is one of the highlights of the trip. 

Afternoon: Golf or go scenic

The Bellarine suits every kind of traveller. A round of golf is a natural fit for the region, with several well-known courses spread across the peninsula.

If golf is not your thing, enjoy a coastal drive to Point Lonsdale and take part in a tour of the historic lighthouse, or stretch your legs on one of the many scenic walking trails to explore more of the area at your own pace.

Late afternoon: One last winery stop

If time allows, finish with a final stop at another cellar door or local distillery.

Stay for one last glass and something to eat, or pick up something local to take home. It’s a simple way to round out the trip.

Morning of checkout: One last taste of the Bellarine

Check-out at 10am and head out for coffee or brunch and keep the morning relaxed. 

If markets are on, take a quick look. The Bellarine is known for relaxed local markets offering everything from fresh produce to handmade goods. Before heading home, squeeze in one last walk along the foreshore or beach. It is the perfect way to end your trip.

Planning a Bellarine escape?

Stay close to the Bellarine Peninsula’s wineries, galleries, coastal walks and seaside towns with holiday parks in Geelong, Portarlington and Ocean Grove.

Explore Bellarine stays and start planning your next coastal escape.