Ocean Grove: Beach, nature and active days away

Ocean Grove combines a long surf beach with a nature reserve that protects a significant area of native vegetation. It also offers beginner surf lessons, marked walking trails and activities for more active days away. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether your trip is mainly about the sea, nature or a mix of both.

Surf beach and seaside activities

Ocean Grove Main Beach is a two-kilometre, family-friendly surf beach. It lies in the centre of the stretch of coast between Point Lonsdale and the mouth of the Barwon River. The beach is suitable for swimming and surfing, and is patrolled seasonally. If you’d like to try surfing, Go Ride A Wave offers daily beginner surf lessons in Ocean Grove.

There is also a walking path at Main Beach. Public toilets and showers, a boat ramp and free parking nearby round out the beach facilities. For families, the paths, amenities and seasonal patrols may factor into the decision to spend a day at the beach. The beach’s length also gives you a concrete point of reference when planning your days by the sea.

A nature reserve with a distinctive landscape

Ocean Grove Nature Reserve protects the largest remaining area of native vegetation away from the coast on the Bellarine Peninsula. Its vegetation includes grassland and heath woodland. More than 130 bird species have been recorded in the reserve; it also provides important habitat for seven threatened species. Visitors interested in plants, birds and the protection of native habitats will find a different focus here from the surf beach.

The nature reserve is also part of an Indigenous cultural landscape on the traditional Country of the Wadawurrung People. This connection between landscape and cultural significance is as much a part of the place’s character as its vegetation. A stay in Ocean Grove can therefore cater to a range of interests: time at the beach, walks in nature, and learning about the history and significance of Country.

Walking trails and activities to enjoy together

The Nature Reserve has a network of signposted trails. Two trailheads with car parks provide access to easy walks with gentle gradients. Some of these trails are suitable for wheelchairs and prams. This may help families and travellers who need to consider trail conditions when choosing a walk. It’s important to note that this applies to some trails, not the entire network.

Two shared-use trails connect Ocean Grove with Barwon Heads. So, alongside the beach and nature reserve, there is also a link between the two towns. If you enjoy active holidays, you can factor these trails into your plans without assuming a particular time commitment or distance.

Local discoveries and holiday highlights

Local food craftsmanship is another feature of Ocean Grove: Lard Ass Butter is an artisan butter factory on the Bellarine Peninsula that makes handmade dairy products. The business offered free butter tastings to the public. Ocean Grove Bowling Club adds professionally maintained bowling greens, where bowls can be played year-round. So the town offers food craftsmanship and a year-round leisure activity alongside nature and the sea.

When choosing a holiday apartment or house in Ocean Grove, you can start by considering which of these experiences you’d like your stay to centre on: the surf beach and sea, walks in the nature reserve, or a broader mix of activity and local discoveries. The gentler-gradient trails and sections suitable for prams are useful details when planning a family trip, but they do not necessarily describe every trail or activity in the area.

More town guides: Point Lonsdale, Portarlington, Torquay, Queenscliff, Anglesea and Batesford.

For the main travel guide: Geelong.