Guidebook for Barwon Heads and surrounds
Food - Barwon Heads/Ocean Grove
Coffee, food and a range of gourmet food items
Annie’s does it all...breakfast lunch and dinner. The mornings are often busy with a cycling crew but if you sneak a table out the front it’s a great spot to people watch. They have a great deli and dry groceries in-store plus the best gluten free sweets available from the cabinet. If the crowd is too much for you in the mornings you could always come back in the evening for a pizza or two (weekends and Summer only).
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Annie's Provedore
50 Hitchcock AveCoffee, food and a range of gourmet food items
Annie’s does it all...breakfast lunch and dinner. The mornings are often busy with a cycling crew but if you sneak a table out the front it’s a great spot to people watch. They have a great deli and dry groceries in-store plus the best gluten free sweets available from the cabinet. If the crowd is too much for you in the mornings you could always come back in the evening for a pizza or two (weekends and Summer only).
Located in the main street this place is great for people watching. It offers breakfast through to dinner. If you manage to grab a seat on the deck they really are the best seat in the house. They make a good cocktail and offer sharing plates for a relaxed afternoon.
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BeachHouse Barwon Heads
48 Hitchcock AveLocated in the main street this place is great for people watching. It offers breakfast through to dinner. If you manage to grab a seat on the deck they really are the best seat in the house. They make a good cocktail and offer sharing plates for a relaxed afternoon.
A very popular café/bakery in the main street and loved by locals. It gets busy at the counter but don’t stress as they have their own unique ordering system and you won’t be overlooked! They have a decent selection of fresh bread, pastries and breakfast/lunch items. Try their Squishy...a fresh knot roll with bacon, egg & herbed mayo. You can add extras/make it veggie, but nothing beats the original. Be tempted by the muffins on the counter
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Starfish Bakery
78 Hitchcock AveA very popular café/bakery in the main street and loved by locals. It gets busy at the counter but don’t stress as they have their own unique ordering system and you won’t be overlooked! They have a decent selection of fresh bread, pastries and breakfast/lunch items. Try their Squishy...a fresh knot roll with bacon, egg & herbed mayo. You can add extras/make it veggie, but nothing beats the original. Be tempted by the muffins on the counter
The location is special - situated on the river overlooking the bridge and heads. A beautiful spot for a romantic dinner or a long lunch. Happy Hour on a Friday is very popular with the locals. Try to grab a table outside if you want to join the crowd. They also have a little takeaway kiosk open in Summer which sells very good burgers and fish & chips.
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At the Heads
1A Jetty RdThe location is special - situated on the river overlooking the bridge and heads. A beautiful spot for a romantic dinner or a long lunch. Happy Hour on a Friday is very popular with the locals. Try to grab a table outside if you want to join the crowd. They also have a little takeaway kiosk open in Summer which sells very good burgers and fish & chips.
Barwon Ebb & Flow
1 Flinders ParadeHanoi Kitchen
37 Hitchcock AveMangroves Bar and Grill
44 Hitchcock AveIf you call to place an order at the Fish & Chip shop when its busy they won’t answer their phone, so you’ll have to pay them a visit. If they do answer the phone they will often say it will take 5 minutes and they aren’t lying.
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Barwon Heads Fish & Chips
56 Hitchcock AveIf you call to place an order at the Fish & Chip shop when its busy they won’t answer their phone, so you’ll have to pay them a visit. If they do answer the phone they will often say it will take 5 minutes and they aren’t lying.
Visit for a burrito bowl or fresh juice! Always a queue out the front so you know its worth it. You can pick up some fruit and veg while you’re at it.
Barwon Heads Greengrocer
44B Hitchcock AveVisit for a burrito bowl or fresh juice! Always a queue out the front so you know its worth it. You can pick up some fruit and veg while you’re at it.
Great coffee and gelato run by an Italian. They get extra points for serving choc coated raspberries on the side with their coffees. This is definitely a place you can visit twice in the day…one in the morning for a coffee and then in the evening for a gelato.
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Coffetti Gelato
49A Hitchcock AveGreat coffee and gelato run by an Italian. They get extra points for serving choc coated raspberries on the side with their coffees. This is definitely a place you can visit twice in the day…one in the morning for a coffee and then in the evening for a gelato.
A very popular café/bakery in the main street and loved by locals. It gets busy at the counter but don’t stress as they have their own unique ordering system and you won’t be overlooked! They have a decent selection of fresh bread, pastries and breakfast/lunch items. Try their Squishy...a fresh knot roll with bacon, egg & herbed mayo. You can add extras/make it veggie, but nothing beats the original. Be prepared for runny egg/herbed mayo dripping down your hand. Top it off with a white choc and berry muffin…you won’t miss them on the counter!
54 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Starfish Bakery
78 Hitchcock AveA very popular café/bakery in the main street and loved by locals. It gets busy at the counter but don’t stress as they have their own unique ordering system and you won’t be overlooked! They have a decent selection of fresh bread, pastries and breakfast/lunch items. Try their Squishy...a fresh knot roll with bacon, egg & herbed mayo. You can add extras/make it veggie, but nothing beats the original. Be prepared for runny egg/herbed mayo dripping down your hand. Top it off with a white choc and berry muffin…you won’t miss them on the counter!
Che Vuoi Pizzeria Osteria
47 Hitchcock AvenueGrab a coffee at The Dunes next door to the surf club as a reward for the walk along the beach track to Ocean Grove.
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The Dunes Cafe Bar
Surf Beach RoadGrab a coffee at The Dunes next door to the surf club as a reward for the walk along the beach track to Ocean Grove.
Very cheesy Mexican that makes the best frozen margaritas you’ll have. Paired with their cheese dip you’ll roll out of there a very happy customer. Booking recommended here as it’s a bit of a cult fav. They have a band on weekends in the courtyard.
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The Mex
4-12 Grubb RdVery cheesy Mexican that makes the best frozen margaritas you’ll have. Paired with their cheese dip you’ll roll out of there a very happy customer. Booking recommended here as it’s a bit of a cult fav. They have a band on weekends in the courtyard.
Found in the main street of Ocean Grove, this is a delicious café with a huge menu. Try their crepes for breakfast and their risotto/gnocchi for dinner.
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Driftwood Cafe
64D The TerraceFound in the main street of Ocean Grove, this is a delicious café with a huge menu. Try their crepes for breakfast and their risotto/gnocchi for dinner.
Kyosk Cafe
91 The ParadeEssentials
IGA
3 Bridge RdHas a great range of essentials
Bennos Meating Place
46 Hitchcock AveGreat local butcher in main street BH
Shopping
This is one of the best! If you love rattan furniture, ethically sourced ceramics, Moroccan cushions, etc. then this is for you. They also have a really great range of kid’s books, toys and puzzles. Rigby’s is owned by a local family who work hard to keep the shop filled with different treasures.
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Rigby's Homewares
39 Hitchcock AveThis is one of the best! If you love rattan furniture, ethically sourced ceramics, Moroccan cushions, etc. then this is for you. They also have a really great range of kid’s books, toys and puzzles. Rigby’s is owned by a local family who work hard to keep the shop filled with different treasures.
Located in Ocean Grove this cute boutique offers a great range of on trend clothes and quirky homewares. Definitely worth a visit if you are visiting the other side of the river.
Florence & Threads
82 The TerraceLocated in Ocean Grove this cute boutique offers a great range of on trend clothes and quirky homewares. Definitely worth a visit if you are visiting the other side of the river.
Activities
13th Beach Golf Links
1732 Barwon Heads RdAdamas Fishing Charters
1 Harbour StSkydive Great Ocean Road
1421 Barwon Heads RdGreat Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
1200 Great Ocean RdMarine and Freshwater Discovery Centre
2A Bellarine Hwy
Adventure Park Station
1249 Bellarine HwyThe Barwon Heads Golf Club
Golf Links RoadAdventure Flight Co
1419 Barwon Heads RdSearoad Ferries
1 Wharf St ESpring Creek Horse Rides
245 Portreath RdBarwon Heads Yoga offer Yoga on the River and Yoga SUP during Summer. Located next to the bridge.
Barwon Heads Yoga
3 Thomson DrBarwon Heads Yoga offer Yoga on the River and Yoga SUP during Summer. Located next to the bridge.
Very popular with families during low tide. Parking can be a bit of a challenge but close enough for you to walk. Also features a great park for the kids along with public BBQs & toilets. If the Barwon Heads side is too busy or its late afternoon, pop over to the Ocean Grove side which gets the setting sun. There is no life guard service so be careful of the outgoing tide. There is usually a kiosk set up by Paddle Life BH - has hire/lessons on kayaks, surfskis and paddleboards
If you head towards the northern end of Barwon Heads there is a lovely track that meanders along the river. This is also the location of the only boat ramp in BH. You can actually keep walking along the river as it heads into the open/unpopulated part of Barwon Heads. You’ll walk around a farm and come out on Taits Road near Jirrahlinga (Animal Rescue Shelter).
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Barwon River
Very popular with families during low tide. Parking can be a bit of a challenge but close enough for you to walk. Also features a great park for the kids along with public BBQs & toilets. If the Barwon Heads side is too busy or its late afternoon, pop over to the Ocean Grove side which gets the setting sun. There is no life guard service so be careful of the outgoing tide. There is usually a kiosk set up by Paddle Life BH - has hire/lessons on kayaks, surfskis and paddleboards
If you head towards the northern end of Barwon Heads there is a lovely track that meanders along the river. This is also the location of the only boat ramp in BH. You can actually keep walking along the river as it heads into the open/unpopulated part of Barwon Heads. You’ll walk around a farm and come out on Taits Road near Jirrahlinga (Animal Rescue Shelter).
A beautiful setting and great food with the bonus of live music on the weekends. Check their facebook page for information on school holiday activities such as feeding the animals and scavenger hunts.
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Basils Farm
43-53 Nye RdA beautiful setting and great food with the bonus of live music on the weekends. Check their facebook page for information on school holiday activities such as feeding the animals and scavenger hunts.
Along the winding road to Ocean Grove is Raffs. This one is popular with families as it’s a much gentler wave so good for kids. It connects up with the busy Ocean Grove Beach. No life guard service here.
Raffs Beach
LOT 27 Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove RdAlong the winding road to Ocean Grove is Raffs. This one is popular with families as it’s a much gentler wave so good for kids. It connects up with the busy Ocean Grove Beach. No life guard service here.
The walking/bike track to Ocean Grove is another must do. This one takes you across the BH bridge and follows the track to Ocean Grove Surf Club. There are plenty of stairs leading to the beach. Highly recommend this option if it is low tide.
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Ocean Grove
The walking/bike track to Ocean Grove is another must do. This one takes you across the BH bridge and follows the track to Ocean Grove Surf Club. There are plenty of stairs leading to the beach. Highly recommend this option if it is low tide.
This is a must do walk. Start at the car park opposite the Barwon Heads Hotel and head along the river track past At the Heads and the caravan park in the direction of the bluff. There are some stairs but worth it for the view. Keep following the path and it will take you alongside the first car park at 13th beach. The track continues on to the other side of the road and you can make your way downhill along Golf links Road past the Barwon Heads Golf Club.
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Barwon Heads Bluff
This is a must do walk. Start at the car park opposite the Barwon Heads Hotel and head along the river track past At the Heads and the caravan park in the direction of the bluff. There are some stairs but worth it for the view. Keep following the path and it will take you alongside the first car park at 13th beach. The track continues on to the other side of the road and you can make your way downhill along Golf links Road past the Barwon Heads Golf Club.
There is a market every Saturday in December and January and on the last Saturday of every month outside of these months. It is held at the Barwon Heads Community Hall in the main street.
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Barwon Heads Pharmacy
55a Hitchcock AveThere is a market every Saturday in December and January and on the last Saturday of every month outside of these months. It is held at the Barwon Heads Community Hall in the main street.
Surf Sessions
RoadGreat introductory lessons for kids
A rugged ocean beach great for walking, swimming (there is one section that has life guards), surfing on good days. There is a walking/jogging track along the foreshore (13th beach road) around the Bluff and into town.
There are about seven different car parks along 13th beach which fill very early! Beacon and Signies usually best for surfing. Clubbies offer the only life guard service along this stretch. Locals are protective of this beach and highly recommend not parking where you shouldn’t….very few spots along the road that aren’t yellow lined and no one wants to be parked in.
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Thirteenth Beach
A rugged ocean beach great for walking, swimming (there is one section that has life guards), surfing on good days. There is a walking/jogging track along the foreshore (13th beach road) around the Bluff and into town.
There are about seven different car parks along 13th beach which fill very early! Beacon and Signies usually best for surfing. Clubbies offer the only life guard service along this stretch. Locals are protective of this beach and highly recommend not parking where you shouldn’t….very few spots along the road that aren’t yellow lined and no one wants to be parked in.
Wineries - breweries
Mt Duneed Estate
65 Pettavel RdLittle Creatures Brewing P/L
221 Swanston StThe Whiskery
2 Scotchmans RdOakdene Vineyards, Restaurant and Cellar Door
255 Grubb RdFlying Brick Cider Co
1269 Bellarine HwyJack Rabbit
85 McAdams Ln