Barwon Heads VIC
Barwon Heads in VIC is a holiday town located on the southern coast of the Bellarine Peninsula. It’s separated by the Barwon River from its twin coastal town of Ocean Grove.
Barwon Heads is a popular seaside community, and offers a diverse variety of coastal attractions. These include the shallow and sandy shoreline of the Barwon River to the windswept surf beaches which front Bass Strait. The Bluff Lookout is situated on a rocky outcrop and a network of surrounding walking tracks provides wonderful views. The views include the town centre, along the Barwon River and in all directions across Bass Strait.
Barwon Heads Commercial Centre
The commercial centre of Barwon Heads includes the town’s major hotel just near the river bridge. Here you will also find a strip of shops including cafes and restaurants, along Hitchcock Avenue.
Just north of Barwon Heads is the expansive waterway of Lake Connewarre and surrounding wetlands. These make an ideal spot for fishing and bird watching.
Historically Barwon Heads was a sleepy seaside holiday destination which was popular with the residents of Geelong and Melbourne.
A TV series has impacted greatly on the town
In 1998, it was used as the location for the hugely successful ABC-TV series SeaChange. This starred Australian actors Sigrid Thornton and David Wenham. It then became a destination for people dreaming of a “seachange”. But also to holiday makers eager to explore the locations used in the television series.
Barwon Heads and its Twin
Barwon Heads is separated from its twin town, Ocean Grove, by the Barwon River. The river connects the ocean to Lake Connewarre, now part of the Lake Connewarre Wildlife Reserve. Both towns have ocean beaches and safe family beaches along the riverbank. Barwon Heads is quieter and smaller than Ocean Grove.
In the 1890’s an influx of hunters started to visit Lake Connewarre for ducks and other native birds. This saw the town’s population swell. The fishing village also started to grow. By the 1920’s the township had good facilities like boarding houses, a school, golf course and of course a pub.
The Famous Barwon Heads Bridge
The famous bridge across the Barwon River linking Ocean Grove was built in 1927. It has had several overhauls in its 90 years but it looks like it’s time is just about up. Plans for a new bridge spanning the river are progressing. This is much to the disappointment of the many locals who have fought hard to save the structure.
Beautiful Scenery but Dangerous Waters
The waters around the heads have been very dangerous over the years. The giant limestone bluff stands proudly at the mouth of the river. However it extends along a large reef into the sea and has caused many devastating shipping accidents over the years. There are recordings of 12 ships between 1853 and 1890 being destroyed. One of the worst was the Earl of Charemont which was lost on the rocks in 1853. In 1940 a cargo ship called the Orungal also ran aground and burnt. There are reports of its boilers still being seen off the bluff at low tide.
Barwon Heads is definitely a place to explore if you can. There is something for everyone, and a wonderful place to relax. So, gather up the family and come on down. We would love to see you!
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Barwon Heads VICTORIA AUSTRALIA
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