Golf in Bellarine Peninsula, Surfcoast & Shipwreck Coast

Less than 5 years ago the area known as the Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Shipwreck Coast was more well known for its surf beaches than its golf courses. Starting 65 minutes southwest of Melbourne (and just beyond the city of Geelong) this area has grown significantly in golfing terms with the addition of a large number of new courses.

This region is an ideal self drive location where you start at the beginning of the Peninsula and over 2 to 5 days can meander your way through series of new and well established courses—each offering different golfing challenges.

Starting on the other side of Geelong the little coastal town of Barwon Heads is home to three courses worthy of playing. Barwon Heads Golf Club is a private member's course offering limited non member access through GOLFSelect and contains a series of holes that Tom Watson, amongst others, has heaped high praise upon. The wind is a constant companion at Barwon Heads and the encroaching tee tree on many of the holes will catch errant tee shots. Barwon Heads is probably most famous for its 13th hole—a 130m par 3 with a postage stamp size green and severe contours which feed the ball off the green if not struck perfectly.

From the 13th tee at Barwon Heads the golfer can stare across open grasslands to Thirteenth Beach Golf Links - a new 36 hole golf development with courses by Tony Cashmore (Beach Course) and multiple major winner Nick Faldo (Creek Course). Similar in topography to Barwon Heads the Beach course offers many comparable challenges and belies its age in terms of the course maturity. The Creek course has also matured over the last few years since its opening and provides a nice companion for its sister course. 

Heading further down the peninsula lies the sleepy surf coast town of Torquay which until recently was famous for its hosting of many professional surfing events. Stuart Appleby (Top Australian golfer) has put his design stamp on a new course known as The Sands - Torquay. Built right up against the ocean it offers a rugged set of holes with perfect fairway conditioning, cragged shaped bunkers and true greens.

Twenty minutes down the road from Torquay lies another surf town - that of Anglesea. The golf course at Anglesea is nothing special in terms of golf architecture. What sets this course apart from anything most visitors outside of Australia are unlikely to have experienced is the proliferation of kangaroos which are a constant companion on the golf course. The kangaroos are in their hundreds and are quite used to dodging the wayward shot that does not quite hit its target.

Further down the road a couple of hours lies the main Western District township of Warrnambool. Situated on the coast this thriving country town offers the chance to stock up on needed supplies before continuing onwards. Warrnambool Golf Club is a well regarded course in this region and the combination of tee tree lined fairways, natural sand bunkers and a friendly all round feel to the place makes it a course worth visiting.

A short 20 minute drive from Warrnambool lies the sleepy town of Port Fairy - a quaint fishing town which hosts an annual folk festival, has some cosy bed and breakfast accommodation and is home to Port Fairy Golf Club, a golf course located on the edge of the water well worth playing. The ocean views afforded on a number of the holes (12,14,15,16) are worth the inexpensive green fee alone and the work being done on this course will ensure it only gets better over time.

The Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Shipwreck Coast is only getting better and this well kept secret is now becoming more and more well known. It is certainly worth a visit.

Useful Facts and Figures

Below are some useful facts and figures for the Bellarine Peninsula Region. Use these to work out the best time to visit this region.