Ocean Grove between nature reserve and surf beach

Ocean Grove combines coastal experiences with a remarkable natural environment: Main Beach is all about surfing and sea swimming, while Ocean Grove Nature Reserve offers grassland and heath woodland, birdlife and signposted trails. There are also paths connecting the town with Barwon Heads, and a maker of handmade dairy products. This raises a practical question when planning your holiday: should your stay focus mainly on beach time, nature watching or a range of activities?

Nature and walking trails in the Reserve

Ocean Grove Nature Reserve is part of an Indigenous cultural landscape on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung People. It is also the largest remaining area of native non-coastal vegetation on the Bellarine Peninsula. As such, it preserves a significant area of grassland and heath woodland. The Reserve is also important for birdlife: more than 130 bird species have been recorded there, and the area provides important habitat for seven threatened species. This means vegetation and wildlife can be experienced together in the same natural setting.

A network of signposted trails provides access to the Reserve. Two access points with car parks lead to easy walking trails with gentle gradients. Some of these trails are suitable for wheelchairs and prams. If this suitability is important for your plans, note that it applies only to some trails. The combination of designated walking trails and varied habitats makes the Reserve a distinct option alongside a day at the beach.

Main Beach: beach, swimming and surfing

Ocean Grove Main Beach is a two-kilometre-long, family-friendly surf beach. It lies midway along the stretch of coast between Point Lonsdale and the mouth of the Barwon River. The beach is suitable for sea swimming and surfing, and is patrolled seasonally. There is also a walking path. Public toilets and showers, a boat ramp and free parking nearby round out the facilities. As the availability of facilities can change, check their current status before your visit. You should also check the beach conditions in advance.

More activities and connections

Go Ride A Wave offers daily surf lessons for beginners in Ocean Grove. Availability may vary depending on the season and conditions. So, in addition to surfing at Main Beach, there are lessons for beginners, subject to these circumstances.

Two shared paths connect Ocean Grove with Barwon Heads. This is a different way to explore the area actively from the walking trails within the Nature Reserve: here, the focus is on connecting two towns. For another activity, Ocean Grove Bowling Club has professionally maintained bowling greens; bowls can be played there year-round.

Artisan dairy products from Ocean Grove

Lard Ass Butter is an artisan butter factory in Ocean Grove on the Bellarine Peninsula. It makes handmade dairy products. This adds a glimpse of local food production to the beach and nature experiences. If regional production is also of interest when planning your trip, this producer is another aspect of Ocean Grove to explore.

Which stay suits your plans?

When choosing accommodation, it is worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your holiday. Main Beach combines beach time, sea swimming and surfing; the Nature Reserve offers a different focus, with walking trails, woodland vegetation and birdlife. The paths to Barwon Heads and year-round bowls add further activities to the mix. Main Beach is family-friendly; however, only some trails in the Reserve are suitable for wheelchair and pram users. If this mix suits your plans, you can then search specifically for hotels in Ocean Grove and choose according to the experiences you want to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Portarlington, Queenscliff, Torquay, Anglesea, Batesford, Point Lonsdale.

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