Barwon Heads has a strong connection to golf, as well as opportunities along the river and around Barwon Bluff. When choosing where to stay, you can weigh up the golf options, river activities and exploring the Marine Sanctuary. Each option has its own characteristics: golf is defined by course formats and links-course classification; on the water, kayaking, swimming and the current conditions for stand-up paddleboarding are key; and at the Bluff, there is a circuit walk and tours.

Golf Courses and Golf History

13th Beach Golf Links has two championship golf courses. The offering also includes a nine-hole Short Course. Course details can change; check them in advance if these formats are important to your plans. Barwon Heads Golf Club is Australia’s first true links course. These are different reasons to consider the two golf offerings: at 13th Beach, the courses are distinguished by their formats, while Barwon Heads Golf Club is distinguished by its links-course classification. If you’re planning a golf trip, you can first decide which of these features matters more to you.

At Barwon Heads Golf Club, tee times for green-fee rounds are available on selected days. This visitor option therefore depends on the day you choose; check the conditions for your preferred date in advance.

The tournament history is another connection to golf: 13th Beach has hosted the Men’s and Women’s Vic Open since 2013. If the tournament is a deciding factor for your visit, plan around the relevant event dates.

River, Sanctuary and Circuit Walk

Visitors can kayak on the river at Barwon Heads, and swimming is possible in the Barwon Heads river estuary. Stand-up paddleboarding in the Barwon River estuary is another option, provided the current is suitable. This distinction matters when planning: kayaking is possible on the river, you can swim in the estuary, and stand-up paddleboarding depends on suitable current conditions.

The Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary is accessible from the town of Barwon Heads. The nearby protected area covers 17 hectares and protects reefs and marine life. Visitors can explore rock platforms and beaches on an organised or self-guided tour. As well as the natural environment, the type of visit is also a consideration: you can explore with a guide or on your own. Check access conditions before visiting.

The circuit walk around Barwon Bluff includes steps, gravel and sand. You can take the changing terrain into account when planning your walk. The circuit walk and exploring the Sanctuary offer different experiences: here, the changing surface of the path matters; there, it’s the tour of the rock platforms and beaches.

To choose what to focus on, you can first decide whether golf, water or the landscape at the Bluff is the deciding factor. Within each of these themes, specific planning considerations come into play: the day of play for a green-fee round, the current for stand-up paddleboarding, and the changing terrain of the circuit walk.

Discover more destinations: Yackandandah, Elmore, Colac, Moonambel, Wahgunyah, Amherst, Tawonga, Winton North

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.