Ocean Grove offers two distinct attractions: the two-kilometre-long Main Beach and the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve, with its native vegetation and birdlife. There are also surf lessons for beginners, paths connecting Ocean Grove with Barwon Heads, bowls, and handcrafted dairy products. To decide how to plan your trip, first choose your focus: the beach and sea, walks in the nature reserve, or a combination of these.
Main Beach: Surfing and Swimming
Ocean Grove Main Beach is a family-friendly surf beach, two kilometres long. It lies in the centre of the stretch of coast between Point Lonsdale and the mouth of the Barwon River. Sea swimming and surfing are among the beach activities; the beach is patrolled seasonally. Check the conditions before your visit and take the seasonal nature of patrols into account when planning. There is also a walking path at Main Beach. Public toilets and showers, a boat ramp, and free parking nearby add to the facilities. As the operation of these facilities may change, check in advance if a particular facility is important to your plans.
Nature Reserve: Vegetation and Biodiversity
The Ocean Grove Nature Reserve is the largest remaining area of native, non-coastal vegetation on the Bellarine Peninsula. It protects a significant area of grassland and heath woodland. More than 130 bird species have been recorded in the reserve; it also provides important habitat for seven threatened species. The area is also part of an Indigenous cultural landscape on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung People. This means you can choose a different focus for your visit than the beach: landscape, habitat, and walking trails rather than sea swimming or surfing.
A signposted network of trails gives access to the reserve. Two starting points with parking provide access to easy walks with gentle gradients. Some of these trails are suitable for wheelchairs and prams. If this is important to your plans, check in advance which trail is suitable.
Surf Lessons, Trails, and Bowls
Go Ride A Wave offers daily surf lessons for beginners in Ocean Grove. Availability may vary by season and conditions; if needed, confirm the date you are planning for your trip. The surf options differ as follows: surfing is one of the beach activities at Main Beach, while Go Ride A Wave’s lessons are aimed at beginners.
Two shared paths connect Ocean Grove with Barwon Heads. Ocean Grove Bowling Club has professionally maintained bowls greens and offers bowls year-round. This gives you different time frames to consider: Main Beach is patrolled seasonally, while bowls can be played year-round.
Handcrafted Dairy Products
Lard Ass Butter is an artisan butter factory in Ocean Grove on the Bellarine Peninsula, where handcrafted dairy products are made. This food craft adds another aspect to consider when choosing a destination, alongside the beach and nature.
Discover more destinations: Point Lonsdale, Batesford, Torquay, Anglesea, Portarlington, Queenscliff.
Return to the main travel overview: Geelong.
