News

As spring unfolds on the Bellarine Peninsula, the vibrant landscapes and coastal charm create the perfect backdrop for a family getaway at our holiday park in Portarlington. This spring offers plenty of adventure and excitement.

Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management (Bellarine Bayside) has announced the appointment of Scott Crabtree as CEO, effective 26 October 2024.

Bellarine Bayside’s Committee of Management unanimously approved the appointment of Mr Crabtree following a national search.

It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to food and wine on the Bellarine (not to mention beer, gin and whisky). There are so many great places to choose from, whether you’re after a casual catch up with friends or fine dining to celebrate a special occasion. 

A highly sought-after vacancy is available for licensed mobile food and beverage vendors to apply for a one-year permit to operate a food truck at the Portarlington Pier Vendor Area.

We are preparing to upgrade the public amenity building at Henderson Reserve, Portarlington, to provide accessible amenities at the busiest beach on the northern Bellarine Peninsula. Construction works are due to commence in mid-October 2024.

The Portarlington foreshore café building provides expansive views across Port Phillip Bay nestled on the lower foreshore.  The current 5-year lease and accompanying licence area for outdoor dining will expire on 30 November 2024 and Bellarine Bayside is seeking to continue the service offer at the site through a new lease and licence.

CEO Bruce Elliot’s statement:

After a lot of consideration, and 20 years working in senior leadership roles, I have decided that it is time for me to retire.

We’re firing up for another fabulous winter season on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula.

If cosy fires, hot chocolates, mulled wine, hearty food and brisk sea air are your thing, then 

book a snug pod or cabin, load up your van or camper, and begin plotting your winter escape. 

Did you know you can now enjoy toasted marshmallows by the campfire at our Portarlington park?

Thinking about visiting in the cooler months, but not sure what there is to do? Here are our top five things to do in and around Portarlington this autumn and winter:

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Explore Bellarine Bayside’s affordable campsites, family cabins and cozy pods

It’s true that rising costs are stretching the family budget and holidays can be a bit of a luxury these days.

Please join us on Thursday, 16 February from 5 – 7 pm for an informal BBQ, an opportunity to meet members of the Bellarine Bayside Committee to celebrate another successful year.

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From splashing and sliding to rocking and riding, there’s plenty to keep families and visitors of all ages entertained on the Bellarine this summer. Check out our top 5 must-do experiences: 

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Ice cream at the beach … could there be anything better? Well, maybe donuts or fish and chips at the beach!

Whatever your food preference, you’ll find a great range of food options to accompany your summer holiday at Bellarine Bayside.

A sought-after vacancy is available for licensed mobile food and beverage vendors to apply for a 10-month permit to operate a food truck at the Portarlington Holiday Park.

With a population of around 4500 residents, Portarlington still enjoys the village atmosphere cherished by locals and visitors. However recent improvements to the town, easier access thanks to the ferry service from Melbourne, as well as a post-COVID domestic travel revival, have led to new generations discovering its charms.

A highly sought-after vacancy is available for licensed mobile food and beverage vendors to apply for a one-year permit to operate a food truck at the Portarlington Pier Vendor Area.

Winter is coming, but don’t let that keep you away from the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula. In fact, it’s when things really fire up around here.

Book yourself a cosy pod or cabin, pack the van or camper, and start planning your winter getaway.

Expressions of Interest are now invited from interested parties for a permit to provide a suitable commercial business or community activity from the Sirens Boathouse & Kiosk.

Expressions of Interest are now invited from licensed mobile food and beverage vendors to apply for a two-year permit to operate a mobile donut van at the Portarlington Pier Vendor Area.

Don’t you just love this time of year? The cooler autumn weather means cosy nights, crisp mornings and glorious days – just perfect for a mini-break by the beach.

If you haven’t stayed in one of our Beach Pods at the Portarlington Holiday Park yet, now is the perfect time, with better availability (especially mid-week) and shoulder season rates making a quick getaway even more appealing.

Please join us on Thursday, 16 February from 5 – 7 pm for an informal BBQ, an opportunity to meet members of the Bellarine Bayside Committee to celebrate another successful year.

Please join us on Saturday, 11 February between 10am and 1pm for an Open Day at Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve. Through talks, guided walks, displays and activities we will showcase all that the flora and fauna reserve has to offer.

This summer we’re bringing guests a great range of food vans catering to a wide range of tastes.

🌿 Nature Journalling Workshop 🍃 Join Bellarine Bayside and the Port Arts Network for a FREE outdoor art class. Please note, this class is aimed at adults.

Expressions of Interest are now invited from licensed mobile food and beverage vendors to apply for a two-year permit to operate a mobile donut van at the Portarlington Pier Vendor Area.

Expressions of Interest are now invited from licensed mobile food and beverage vendors to apply for a two-year permit to operate a mobile donut van at the Portarlington Pier Vendor Area.

The air is cool but fires are roaring and hospitality is always warm at many of our favourite wineries and hotels on the Bellarine. With another month of winter still ahead, make the most of it.

Excitement is high as we head into the long weekend (10-13 June) and prepare for Portarlington’s biggest party in years. The National Celtic Festival makes a welcome return with non-stop music, markets, dancing,  workshops, food, bars and fun. 

Organisers have gathered the best folk and celtic artists and performers to celebrate the long-awaited return of the festival. 

Make the most of the Festival Shuttle Bus which is free for all ticketed patrons and includes pick-up and drop-off at our holiday park in Portarlington.

Check out some of the great fun things to do these school holidays.

While summer on the Bellarine is pretty hard to beat, the cooler months are when things really heat up – especially if you’re a music lover.

Music events are back big time, so start planning your next stay and catch a fantastic concert while in town.

Unique new accommodation is coming to the holiday park at Portarlington!

2022 started with a bit of a wobble thanks to the Omicron COVID-19 variant, but with our robust COVIDSafe plan in place, it’s been a summer of fun so far at Bellarine Bayside.

While you’ve been away (or locked down) for the winter, we’ve been working hard to make your holiday parks even better, so you might see some changes when you return.

While you’ve been away (or locked down) for the winter, we’ve been working hard to make your holiday parks even better, so you might see some changes when you return.

While you’ve been away (or locked down) for the winter, we’ve been working hard to make your holiday parks even better, so you might see some changes when you return.

Expressions of Interest are now invited from licensed mobile food and beverage vendors to apply for a permit to operate at designated areas between Portarlington and St Leonards.

From bush to beach, across town and wetlands, the northern Bellarine has no shortage of places to explore on foot, with something for all ages and fitness levels. Here are five our favourites.

Five ideas to keep the family busy these school holidays

Whether visiting for a weekend or a week, winter is the perfect time to soak up all the Bellarine Peninsula has to offer.

The new Indented Head Tennis Court and Basketball Facility was officially opened on Wednesday, 7 April by City of Greater Geelong Councillor Jim Mason, Bellarine Bayside CEO Bruce Elliot and Indented Head Community Association Secretary Ingrid Novosel.

Looking for the perfect Victorian beach escape that’s close enough, yet still feels a world way? A stay-cation at Bellarine Bayside Holiday Park could just be the best family getaway you’ll have this year.

We have made the decision to cancel the New Year’s Eve Family Fireworks display in Portarlington due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We feel this is the most appropriate decision given the current COVIDSafe requirements set by the State Government.

The Indented Head Tennis Court is set for a rebuild thanks to the Indented Head Community Association, the City of Greater Geelong and Bellarine Bayside

Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management (Bellarine Bayside) is delighted to announce the appointment of Bruce Elliot as CEO, effective Monday, 13 July 2020. Bruce will work alongside the current CEO, John Nankervis in the preceding week.

In response to coronavirus some of our services have changed, and will continue to do so, based on government advice.

John Nankervis, Chief Executive Officer of Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management (Bellarine Bayside) has announced his intention to retire.

While Mr Nankervis will not be stepping down from the role until July this year, the Committee will begin the recruitment process for a new CEO this weekend.

Bellarine Bayside has released the Draft Northern Bellarine Coastal and Marine Management Plan (the Draft CMMP) for public consultation.

The Draft CMMP has been developed in accordance with the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 following a review of the previous strategic plan and extensive consultation with community, partner agencies and stakeholders.

Christmas has come early with this unbeatable December holiday offer: book one of our self-contained cabins for a minimum two nights in December (up to and including Christmas Day) – and kids stay and play for free!* 

Put your feet up as the kids will be fully entertained with loads of in-park activities including one hour free use of the buggies, plus giant games, treasure hunt, jumping pillows, barbecue areas and playgrounds.

The Point Richards boating facility is getting an upgrade thanks to the State Government’s unprecedented investment in boating in Victoria through their new branch, Better Boating Victoria (BBV). This project is part of the Government’s $47.2 million commitment to deliver urgent upgrades to six of the state’s busiest public boat ramps, remove parking and launching fees and review infrastructure management at Port Phillip and Western Port.

There is a sensational new place for families to explore and play in Portarlington after the official opening of the Portarlington & Drysdale Community Bank Branches Play Space at WG Little Reserve.

Bellarine Bayside are bringing glamping to the Portarlington Holiday Park for the National Celtic Festival weekend (7-10 June).

Walking distance to the festival site, fully set up on arrival and with a range of comfortable bed setups available, this is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the winter festival and experience a unique and comfortable camping experience.

Bellarine Bayside are proud to announce that W.G. Little Reserve in Portarlington will soon be home to a new playground thanks to contributions from a range of funding bodies.

A primary funding partnership with the Portarlington & Drysdale Community Bank branches of the Bendigo Bank has contributed significant funding to make this project possible.

Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management (Bellarine Bayside) is reviewing its current Foreshore Plan (this includes The Northern Bellarine Foreshore Plan 2012 and Master Plan 2013) to create a new Coastal and Marine Management Plan (CMMP) in accordance with the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.

Bellarine Bayside have partnered with Twilight Glamping to bring a new accommodation option to the Portarlington Holiday Park.

From now until the end of April you can book a unique and comfortable camping experience, all set up for you on arrival!

Bellarine Bayside, a public entity incorporated under the Crown Lands (Reserves) Act 1978, is calling for tenders from accounting/audit firms operating in greater-Geelong area to provide external audit services for an initial period of three (3) years commencing with the audit of accounts for the current year ending 30 June 2019.

Bellarine Bayside has supported the Caring for our Bays program for many years now and we are very happy to feature in this wonderful promotional video showcasing the great things that the program achieves in our area. 

Lease negotiations between the City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) and Bellarine Bayside have now been completed.

January 14, 2019 saw the management of the Parks Hall complex in Portarlington change from Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management to CoGG.

The renovation and rejuvenation works on this grand, old hall have been completed bang on schedule! The much-loved and much-utilised local asset is looking all the better for the removal of its asbestos and injection of modern materials, new roof and a  few layers of fresh paint to enhance its functionality and character.

The northern Bellarine dog walking regulations have been adopted by the City of Greater Geelong. The team at Bellarine Bayside have recently completed installing signage along our foreshore and we appreciate your patience during this time of transition.

Project Summary:

The roof of the iconic Indented Head Community Hall was replaced in November / December 2018 after our member for Bellarine, Lisa Neville, supported by Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management, successfully sought funding via a State government grant to fund the project. 

The roof had served its purpose well since the building was constructed in the 1950s but has reached the end of its life and required replacement.

We had a blast yesterday at the Bayside Alive! Community Planting day. 

Bayside Alive! is an environmental education and engagement program focussing on our natural and ‘alive’ coastline. 

The aim of the program is for Bellarine Bayside to provide fun and informative activities and opportunities for the community. 

Mr Steve Boothroyd, who has fulfilled the role of convenor of the Friends of Pt Richards Group for the last 20 years, has recently resigned from his role.

The Friends of Pt Richards Flora & Fauna Reserve help protect and restore the biodiversity of this 62 ha reserve.

Bellarine Bayside is once again extremely pleased to be a Principal Community Partner of National Celtic Music Festival. This winter festival is regarded as Australia’s premier Celtic Festival and attracts over 15,000 people to the region over the three day long weekend event each June. 

The fourth annual Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run has been and gone! It all happened on the Northern Bellarine Coastal Trail between Portarlington and St Leonards. This trail showcases our very own northern Bellarine foreshore with its spectacular views of Melbourne’s skyline and the You Yangs in the distance.

Each year Bellarine Bayside presents information on the past financial year at the Annual Community Meeting. With the introduction of a new Committee in September this was delayed and will now be held on Thursday 30 November 2017.

On Sunday 24 September 2017 Bellarine Bayside hosted a Community Waterwatch Day at Indented Head in partnership with Corangamite Catchment Management Authority.

The day focused on water quality in drains that flow in to Port Phillip Bay and despite the cold and windy morning about a dozen community members attended to learn more about water quality testing and soon-to-commence environmental enhancement project at the Indented Head saltmarsh.

Bellarine Bayside in partnership with Birdlife Australia recently hosted a red-capped plover monitoring workshop at the Indented Head Community Hall. Not to be confused with other plover species such as the hooded plover or the commonly encountered spur-winger plover, the red-capped is the most widespread of Australia’s beach-nesting shorebirds.

Expressions of interest are now invited from licensed Food Vendors and Holiday Activity providers to provide a variety of eating options and services to Bellarine Bayside holiday park residents, day-trippers and tourists to the northern Bellarine during the upcoming holiday season.

On Sunday 30 July more than 80 community members came together at the Pt Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve to plant approximately 600 local, native species to celebrate National Tree Day.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning on 9 July when almost 30 local community members gathered at Miller Boys Memorial to engage in some winter planting with Bellarine Bayside. With the weather turning it on, our enthusiastic volunteers made light work of getting 600 plants in the ground.

NAIDOC week represents a time for all Australians to celebrate the rich history, culture and achievements of our nation’s first people. It is an opportunity to reflect on and recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.

Bellarine Bayside in partnership with various organisations and community groups are hosting a series of activities this summer. All activities are weather-dependent. Kelly Sports activities can be booked through the Kelly Sports website, Summer by the Sea activities are FREE (just turn up on the day) and the Bellarine Party Shop craft activities can be booked at the Portarlington Holiday Park reception office, but get in quick these sessions are filling up fast!

On Friday 30 June 2017, Portarlington Primary School Grades 3 through 6 participated in an Environmental Education Day with Bellarine Bayside, Bellarine Landcare, Bellarine Catchment Network and the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre.

Bellarine Bayside would like to thank the community for the very high standard of submissions received in response to the exhibition of the draft dog orders for the northern Bellarine.

The successful tenderer for the Port Pier Cafe site is local businessman, Mitchell Kovacic, who currently operates the popular Saints and Sailors venue in Portarlington. Mitchell’s new venture on the foreshore will be a cafe-style venue open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with takeaway options.

Bellarine Bayside is encouraging our local communities to come along to our upcoming Community Environment Days and other environmental interest days such as film nights. Our first event kicks off on Sunday 9 July (coinciding with NAIDOC Week) at the Miller Boys Memorial in St Leonards from 10am to 1pm.

Each year Bellarine Bayside partners with local, environmental organisations (Bellarine Catchment Network and the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre in 2017) to educate our primary school children on their local coastal environment and encourage the kids to become environmental heroes for the Northern Bellarine.

Breathe in the beauty and remember that by keeping our planet healthy, we keep ourselves healthy too.

In recognition of this year’s World Environment Day theme ‘explore the nature you love’, Bellarine Bayside is asking our community to get acquainted with your environment and explore the amazing species in your everyday world!

Bellarine Bayside in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong is currently reviewing the Dog Control Orders for the Northern Bellarine reserves between Portarlington and St Leonards.

The iconic boat sheds on the Indented Head foreshore have always attracted a lot of interest from locals, visitors and holidaymakers, but available permits were few and far between with a large wait list.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change is seeking expressions of interest from additional community members to join the Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management.

Twelve local schoolchildren aged between 9 and 13 years were inducted as Bellarine Nature Cadets at Portarlington Neighbourhood House on Wednesday 8 February 2017. The Bellarine Nature Cadets is a joint program between Bellarine Bayside and Portarlington Neighbourhood House and aims at getting kids involved with nature, learning about environmental values and conservation issues in their local region.

Did you ever want to own a prime patch of beach real estate?

The licence to Boat Shed No. 11 at Indented Head is now for sale. Contact Luke Campbell at Neville Richards Real Estate on 03 5257 1778 to find out more about the purchase of this boat shed licence. 

In 2015 Bellarine Bayside together with Barwon Coast, Parks Victoria, Bellarine Landcare and Bellarine Catchment Network secured funding for a Green Army team to work on the Bellarine Peninsula in various aspects of conservation and environmental management.

As many of you are aware from our social media posts, a large number of at risk trees were recently removed from the Portarlington Holiday Park. The removal works were completed well ahead of schedule which means that the landscaping plan and other additional works in this area will be completed well before Christmas.

On Sunday 9 October a freak storm event lashed Victoria with gale force winds over 100km/h. This event brought down several large trees in and around the Portarlington Holiday Park. A risk assessment of nearby trees is currently underway.

Do you holiday on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula?

Are you interested in the future of Bellarine Bayside camping reserves and holiday parks?  

Do you have ideas to share?  Comments to make?

Do you live or holiday on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula?

Are you interested in the future of Bellarine camping reserves and holiday parks?  

Do you have ideas to share?  Comments to make?

The recent Coast to Coast conference held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from 29 August to 1 September included a field trip to the Bellarine Peninsula that was sponsored by Bellarine Bayside. This field trip was guided by geomorphologist Neville Rosengren and geotechnical engineer Tony Miner together with local land managers.

Based in Geelong, Jessica is currently working in the Northern Bellarine Green Army Team that is supported by Conservation Volunteers Australia and hosted by Bellarine Bayside, Barwon Coast, Parks Victoria, Bellarine Landcare and Bellarine Catchment Network.

In 2014 Bellarine Bayside was allocated $4800 as part of the Coastcare Community Grants Program to improve the natural condition of the Indented Head saltmarsh.  The funds were allocated to weed and litter removal, revegetation with indigenous species, and community engagement to increase environmental awareness of the saltmarsh-wetland, which is a nationally protected ecological vegetation class.

n the 1950s, Josiah Windmill planted two pine trees in front of what is now the Indented Head Community Hall to commemorate the opening of the Indented Head boatshed. This honour was bestowed upon Josiah, a blue stone quarry worker, due to his instrumental role in the development of the popular community space.

Bellarine Bayside, together with Barwon Coast, Bellarine Landcare, Bellarine Catchment Network, and Parks Victoria, are currently hosting a Green Army team with support from Conservation Volunteers Australia.

A series of fauna surveys will be undertaken at the Pt Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve over the coming months with the Geelong Field Naturalists Club. The first set of surveys will commence on Thursday 7 July.

Bellarine Bayside, together with Bellarine Landcare, supported St Leonards Primary School Grade 4 class in the establishment of a starfish-shaped indigenous garden. The garden has been created around their commemorative 1975 centenary sundial and will provide a diverse habitat to support native bees and butterflies.

On Saturday 18 June, Bellarine Bayside supported The Dive Victoria Group and Bellarine Catchment Network to clean up litter at St Leonards Pier. While a group of dedicated divers braved the cold water to collect litter in and around the pier, a group of community members collected litter along the foreshore and in the car park.

Every winter, as part of our on-going conservation effort, Bellarine Bayside hosts three winter community planting days, one in each of our three local communities. Bellarine Bayside relies on your help to ensure the success of our winter planting program and we encourage you to actively participate in these days.

The Friends of Pt Richards received funds in 2015 from Bellarine Bayside that have been allocated towards the construction of a picnic rotunda at the Point Richards Rd entrance to the Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve.

Bellarine MP, Lisa Neville announced a $520 336 investment into recreational boating infrastructure for the Bellarine on Monday 22 February at the Indented Head boat ramp.

St Leonards and Portarlington Primary Schools each participated in an environmental education day with Bellarine Bayside and Bellarine Catchment Network to learn more about the nature of their local environment.

Bellarine Bayside is excited to announce that as part of a multi-stakeholder partnership we have successfully obtained funding from the Federal Government in round four of the Green Army programme. The Green Army is a hands-on, practical environmental action programme that supports local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia.

As part of the rollout of the new Boating Zones for the Northern Bellarine the following proposed works will be in operation, subject to the review of weather conditions.

In July 2015 our Caravan & Camping Manager at Portarlington Holiday Park, Wayne Trewin (affectionately known as Pud), clocked up 35 years service working for Bellarine Bayside and it’s predecessors. Wayne started with the organisation as a fresh-faced 17-year-old.

The Northern Bellarine coastline is a highly dynamic environment susceptible to coastal processes that drive erosion. In an effort to mitigate the consequences of erosion, Bellarine Bayside implements strategic best management practices across the coastline.

Expression of Interest applications are invited from interested parties for the following 2018-19 holiday season opportunities: