Explore Australia

Surf City Plaza This modern plaza houses some of the biggest names in surfing retail alongside smaller outlets. The complex boasts the world's biggest surfing museum, Surfworld. See how board technology has developed over the last century, find out exactly what makes a good wave, and learn about the history of surfing at Bells Beach. A theatre here screens classic 1960s and 70s surf flicks and the latest surf videos. Beach Rd.Fishermans Beach: good spot for fishing, with a sheltered swimming beach and a large sundial on the foreshore. Tiger Moth World: theme park based around the1930s Tiger Moth biplane. Joy-flights available; Blackgate Rd. Surf schools: programs available to suit all abilities, with many courses run during summer school holidays; details from visitor centre.

Surf coast It is no wonder the coast that runs from Torquay through to Eastern View (past Anglesea) has dubbed itself the Surf Coast. Submerged reefs cause huge waves that are a surfer's paradise. Most famous is Bells Beach, around 5 km SW of Torquay. The clay cliffs provide a natural amphitheatre for one of the best surf beaches in the world and the longest running surf competition, the Rip Curl Pro, which started in 1973 and attracts top competitors. Other good surf beaches include Jan Juc, Anglesea and Fairhaven. To see the coast on foot, take the 30 km Surf Coast Walk, starting at Torquay and travelling south to Moggs Creek.Hinterland: delightful towns like Bellbrae, Deans Marsh and Birregurra are dotted along the vista of the Surf Coast hinterland; starts 8 km W. Bicycle lane: runs along Surfcoast Hwy from Grovedale to Anglesea.

Torquay 1 km

The offshore waters of western Bass Strait, from Torquay to Cape Otway contain an abundance of species including Australian salmon, snapper, barracouta, King George whiting, yellowtail kingfish, silver trevally, gummy... Find out more

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Anglesea 15 km

Beach fishing species here are the same as Torquay, with the best fishing east of the Anglesea River, although you need to be aware of the marine park that extends west from Point Addis. But most anglers go here to fish... Find out more

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Barwon River Estuary 17 km

The Barwon River estuary enters Bass Strait about 10 km west of Port Phillip Heads and it divides the holiday towns of Barwon Heads  and Ocean Grove. This estuary  is one of the most productive  waterways... Find out more

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Barwon River 18 km

Sometimes going fishing in our southern rivers is about making the best of what is available, as is the case of the Barwon River, which flows through Geelong. Like the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers, the coffee-coloured... Find out more

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Stingray Bay 22 km

Stingray Bay on the southern shore is properly called Stingaree Bay, but many anglers simply refer to it as Limeburners, due to the boat harbour at Limeburners Point. The boundary of the bay is roughly between the... Find out more

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Western Shore 22 km

Taking a southerly route around the bay from the lagoon you pass a large industrial and waterfront area. The next fishable water from shore is North Shore rocks, just outside the entrance to Corio Quay. During winter,... Find out more

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Curlewis Bank 24 km

Curlewis Bank is well regarded for King George whiting during late summer and autumn. However, this vast bank of sand, seagrass and spoil ground also produces snapper, snook, squid and flathead. It is popular with soft... Find out more

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Point Henry 25 km

Point Henry is a sand spit point on the southern shore of Corio Bay and is the demarcation between the inner and outer harbours. It is distinctive in that there is a large aluminium smelter and a long pier used to unload... Find out more

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Lonsdale Bight 27 km

With lots of weed, waters affected by current and a high level of exposure when a southerly comes in, Lonsdale Bight is one the most productive all-round fishing areas in Port Phillip. The bight goes from Shortland Bluff... Find out more

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Clifton Springs 28 km

Clifton Springs is a sheltered harbour with a double boat ramp, mooring jetty and toilets. The facility is well signposted. To get there, take the Portarlington road out of Geelong and turn left at Jetty Road just before... Find out more

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Marine Discovery Centre, Queenscliff 30 km

Primarily set up to educate school children about the marine environment, this government-run facility also has an interesting holiday program and an interactive aquarium and touch tanks. Holiday activities include... Find out more

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Swim with dolphins, Sorrento 36 km

In the warmer six months of the year, the eco-accredited Moonraker Charters will help you get in the water, swimming alongside Australian fur-seals and bottlenose dolphins. Of course, swimming is not compulsory on the... Find out more

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Brisbane Ranges National Park 54 km

With a vibrant koala population, this relatively small national park only 80 kilometres west of Melbourne has picnic areas, walking tracks through rocky gorges and a basic camping area.... Find out more

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Canoeing on Lake Elizabeth 56 km

For a fantastic dawn or dusk paddle in which you have a 95 per cent chance of seeing a platypus, join Otway Eco Tours on Lake Elizabeth. Half-day trips to this remote lake in the ranges depart from the small hamlet of... Find out more

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Sea-kayaking in Marengo Marine Sanctuary 76 km

In an exciting two-hour guided paddle, head out from Apollo Bay to Marengo Marine Sanctuary to get a close-up view of an Australian fur-seal colony. The seals often come out to swim around the kayaks.... Find out more

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Cycling around Melbourne 80 km

Melbourne has an active cycling community that has helped develop and establish some great routes and a network of cycle paths. One of the best sources of information is Bicycle Victoria. One option is to hop on the Main... Find out more

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Mountain-biking around Melbourne 80 km

With 20 kilometres of tracks developed by the Mountain Bike Association of Australia, Lysterfield Lake Park has something for all standard of mountain-biker, including family-friendly loops and exciting single-track... Find out more

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Indigenous tours - Melbourne 80 km

To grasp what Melbourne was like before the skyscrapers arrived you can take a two-hour Koori Heritage Trust walking tour. You will gain an insight into Indigenous history and the natural and cultural landscape of the... Find out more

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Kayaking on Phillip Island 81 km

For a great way to start the day, join a kayaking breakfast tour at Phillip Island Holiday Hire, which starts with a 45-minute paddle from Cowes and includes a civilised breakfast at a cafe. There is also a Devonshire... Find out more

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Melbourne Zoo 82 km

Melbourne has a choice of two excellent zoos: Melbourne Zoo, with more than 320 species on display; and the 225-hectare open range zoo at Werribee, about 30 minutes drive from the city centre (access from the Princes... Find out more

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The Sands, Torquay 3 km

Sands by name . . . Sands by nature. It doesn’t take long to figure out the overwhelming feature of a round at Torquay. Standing on the 1st tee of this Stuart Applebydesigned layout, a blanket of white is... Find out more

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Thirteenth Beach Golf Links (Beach Course) 12 km

After all the accolades Tony Cashmore received for his design work at The Dunes, on the Mornington Peninsula, he must have felt some pressure to produce an equally fine layout when it came time for his next project:... Find out more

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Thirteenth Beach Golf Links (Creek Course) 13 km

Sir Nick Faldo won six major titles, playing himself into winning positions on the back of strong shot-making, a trait that is highly prized on the courses he now designs. The Creek course at Thirteenth Beach, created... Find out more

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Barwon Heads Golf Club 15 km

From the moment you pull up at the car park in front of the Barwon Heads clubhouse, it is as if you have travelled back in time to a more genteel era. The old-world charm is present not only in the architecture of the... Find out more

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Portsea Golf Club 33 km

Portsea Golf Club has long been regarded one of the best-kept secrets on the Mornington Peninsula. Although it is a private club, the public is welcome at most times to experience this visually striking layout across... Find out more

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The Dunes Golf Links 44 km

If you are looking for true links golf in the tradition of the great courses of Scotland and Ireland, you can satisfy your desires here. The Dunes has become one of the most popular courses on the golf-rich Mornington... Find out more

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Moonah Links (Open course) 47 km

When Australian golf’s governing body decided in 1998 to shift its operations to a custom-built facility on some Mornington Peninsula farmland, many golfers reckoned it an ambitious move. But the Australian Golf... Find out more

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St Andrews Beach 47 km

When it comes to quality golf courses and how to design them, American Tom Doak is a learned man. His second and most recent Australian creation – St Andrews Beach, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula... Find out more

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Moonah Links (Legends Course) 47 km

The Legends course might have been the second course built at Australian golf’s new home, but it was so well received by golfers that today it is regarded as the better of the two. The course officially opened... Find out more

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The National Golf Club (Ocean Course) 50 km

Nearly a decade after the celebrated opening of Robert Trent Jones Jnr’s Old course, the club’s board discovered that the adjoining property was to be put up for sale. It could be seen from the highest... Find out more

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Growlers

This welcoming place has a unique spot right on the water, with deck, courtyard and restaurant views over the sparkling ocean. It is a typical seaside venue, where patrons come in for traditional breakfasts, with all... Find out more

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Scorched

This stylish shopfront restaurant offers pavement dining with lovely beach views and a casual but refined style of dining. For those who can’t make up their mind what to have from the contemporary Australian menu,... Find out more

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The Surf Rider

This family-owned and operated restaurant offers relaxed casual dining some 200 metres from the beach, but the surf interest is actually inside. The surf-loving family has turned The Surf Rider into a quasi surfing... Find out more

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Sunnybrae Restaurant 
and Cooking School

Part cooking school and part restaurant, Sunnybrae is one of regional Victoria’s hidden gems. It is overseen by renowned chef George Biron, a staunch advocate of the philosophy of slow food. The regionally sourced... Find out more

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Red Hill Brewery 61 km

Becoming hop farmers wasn’t part of their business plan when David and Karen Golding first applied to develop a microbrewery and cafe from their Mornington Peninsula property. Ultimately, though, they were advised... Find out more

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Otway Estate Brewery 68 km

Located 12 kilometres from Colac, Otway Estate Winery was established in 1983, specialising in cool-climate wines; a microbrewery was added in 2007. Head brewer Luke Scott oversees the production of up to 15 different... Find out more

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2 Brothers Brewery 78 km

A microbrewery is not exactly what you might expect to find tucked away among panel-beaters and sheet-metal fabricators in the industrial estates of Moorabbin, 20 minutes south-east of Melbourne. While the location may... Find out more

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Matilda Bay Garage Brewery 83 km

Previously operating as the Stockade Brewery, this South Dandenong-based microbrewery was acquired by the Foster’s-owned Matilda Bay Brewing in 2004 and re-badged as their ‘garage’ brewery. Then head... Find out more

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Mountain Goat Brewery 83 km

Kicking off in 1997, home-brewer Dave Bonighton and music industry booking agent Cam Hines proved that two good mates can start a successful microbrewery with no money, but with unlimited enthusiasm, dogged perseverance... Find out more

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Foster's Group (Abbotsford Brewery) 83 km

Re-branded as the Foster’s Group in the 21st century, Carlton & United Breweries was formed in 1907 through an amalgamation of the city’s six largest beer-makers: McCrackens City Brewery, Victoria... Find out more

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3 Ravens Brewing Company 89 km

This microbrewery began operating from the basement of the successful Thornbury-based engineering company Zetkin and has proved to be an interesting diversion or sideline for the principal business. Some of the company... Find out more

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Purrumbete Brewing Company (Red Duck) 97 km

Scott and Vanessa Wilson-Browne are another couple of ‘ale changers’ who swapped busy Melbourne careers to move to the country, bring up their young family, and brew and market craft ales. Along the way, they... Find out more

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Holgate Brewhouse 110 km

Paul and Natasha Holgate have travelled a decidedly different path to most other craft-brewery operators over the past decade or so. They started brewing ales from a shed adjacent to their family home in Woodend in the... Find out more

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Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company 119 km

Craft brewers come from all sorts of different backgrounds but classical pianist Simon Walkenhorst and his opera singer wife Beth Williams are among the more exotic. Together, they started Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company... Find out more

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Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park 1 km

Torquay is the centre of the Victorian surfing scene, so it’s no surprise that this caravan park is adjacent to a great surf beach at the southern end of Paterson Bay – not very far from the best-known surf... Find out more

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Breamlea Caravan Park 8 km

Fringed by tea trees and sand dunes, this caravan park is located on Horwood Dr in the small low-key town of Breamlea, near the beginning of the Great Ocean Rd. A patrolled surf beach is only a short walk away and... Find out more

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Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park 14 km

In Anglesea, turn off the Great Ocean Rd onto Cameron Rd to access this waterfront campground, where you can choose between a splash in a river and chasing waves off a surf beach. Anglesea township is only a short walk... Find out more

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Barwon Heads Caravan Park 16 km

The campsites here are sprinkled alongside the Barwon River, right where the watercourse flows out into Bass Strait. Aside from the picturesque views, the park offers safe freshwater swimming, quick access to a surf... Find out more

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Riverview Family Caravan Park 18 km

The beach here at Ocean Grove is a lovely stretch of sand that’s very popular with holidaymakers when the summer sun is shining. Equally popular is the nearby nature reserve, where there are over 140 ha of native... Find out more

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Royal Park caravan and camping area 26 km

Point Lonsdale is joined to Queenscliff by a narrow isthmus and shares the same ocean-wide view. It’s here you’ll find snug Royal Park, on Point Lonsdale Rd. Stroll the promenade behind the seawall down to... Find out more

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Hammonds Road camping area 27 km

There’s plenty of open space at this campground up in the far north of the national park. Back towards the coast, close to Aireys Inlet, nice short walks include the easy Distillery Creek Nature Trail and the Moggs... Find out more

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Queenscliff Recreation Reserve camping area 30 km

This foreshore reserve has lots of shady sites and plenty of wide open spaces for playing games. Go for a wander through the streets of the historic township or watch enormous tankers and cargo ships navigate The Rip,... Find out more

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Victoria Park caravan and camping area 30 km

Victoria Park is on Hesse St near Queenscliff’s main street with its quaint cafes and shops, and is almost as close to the dramatic entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Its campsites are arrayed opposite the town’s... Find out more

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Big Hill Track camping area 36 km

This is an open, easily accessible spot that can accommodate about 20 tents. The bushland location has a faraway feel but is within striking distance of many coastal attractions. Big Hill Track is signposted about 11 km... Find out more

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Torquay Holiday Park 1 km

The park is located on the highway about 400 metres from the centre of town. It is a very good quality park and facilities include tennis courts, putting greens and private bathrooms with spas. Bookings are required in... Find out more

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Geelong Surfcoast Highway Holiday Park 11 km

This park between Geelong and Torquay has been rejuvenated as a tourist park and importantly for those who travel with pets is one of the very few parks in the region that takes pets. It is easily accessible from the... Find out more

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Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park 14 km

This large beachfront and riverfront park is centrally located just 500 metres from the town centre. It has large expanses of lawn, shady sites and a range of good facilities. It is a very nice park! Bookings are... Find out more

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Barwon Heads Caravan Park 16 km

This is a large park fronting the wide picturesque estuary of the Barwon River close to the river mouth. It is a popular summer beachside park and just a short walk from the town centre. Waterfront sites are available at... Find out more

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Riverview Family Caravan Park 18 km

This is a large holiday park with a long frontage to the Barwon River. It is popular with families during summer. Bookings are required at Christmas, Easter and long weekends, with a minimum-length stay period during... Find out more

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Riverglen Holiday Park 18 km

This is a large, owner-operated park with good facilities and is located just 2 km from the centre of Geelong. Bookings are required at Christmas, Easter and long weekends, with a minimum-stay period at Easter and long... Find out more

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Geelong Riverview Tourist Park 18 km

This is a great park on the south side of the Barwon River, just 2 km from the centre of Geelong. Bookings are required at Christmas, Easter and long weekends.... Find out more

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Barwon River Tourist Park 18 km

On the south side of the Barwon River about 2 km from the centre of Geelong, this place has good facilities and is easily accessible. There are nicely shaded sites and it is just a short walk to the shopping centre. A... Find out more

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BIG4 Beacon Resort 27 km

This award-winning establishment has all the trimmings you would expect of a park of this quality, including an indoor heated swimming pool and tennis courts. It is just a short walk to the beach. Bookings are required... Find out more

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Bellarine Bayside Holiday Parks - Portarlington 37 km

This beachfront park with a large number of powered sites is a very popular summerholiday park on a safe, bayside beach, with loads of appeal for families. The park has extensive facilities and is just 1.25 km from the... Find out more

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Crowne Plaza Torquay

Enjoying an absolute beachfront location, this new low-rise 164-room hotel includes 82 one-bedroom apartments and is only a short drive to the famous surfing beaches of Bells and Jan Juc. Contemporary in style, it is... Find out more

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Peppers The Sands Resort

About five minutes from the main beach, this 112-room golf resort appeals with its contemporary style and abundant leisure facilities. All rooms are spacious and tastefully furnished, with minibars, flat-screen TVs,... Find out more

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Apollo Bay Youth Hostel 74 km

This relatively new hostel was built with an eco-friendly design, including thermal storage banks and other passive solar heating and cooling. It also has solar hot water, rainwater tanks, a worm farm, drought-tolerant... Find out more

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Alto Hotel on Bourke 79 km

Although it is not doing anything radical, this plush hotel on Bourke Street is one of the most ecologically aware in Melbourne, and should be commended for its power-saving measures, garbage sorting, supply of... Find out more

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Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology 89 km

There are not many better-thought-out ecotourism ventures than this superb multi-award-winning facility on Cape Otway. It has its own 66-hectare wildlife refuge and doubles as a shelter for injured and orphaned wildlife,... Find out more

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MillDuck, Harcourt North 157 km

This strawbale house won a Most Energy Efficient Home award (North West Region) when it was built. More than 1000 trees have been planted on the property since it was purchased, and it is now an alpaca stud. The B&B,... Find out more

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Grampians Eco YHA 207 km

At this eco-hostel you sleep under roof tiles that are actually solar panels. Any extra power generated is fed back to the electricity grid. The passive solar building, featuring rammed earth walls, also has solar... Find out more

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Torquay Park Area

Middle of town via Gilbert Street Small town park on the Esplanade. GPS: S38 19.51 E144 19.38 ... Find out more

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Anglesea Park Area 15 km

West side of town Large area adjacent to the road on the west side of town. Good facilities. GPS: S38 24.33 E144 11.19 ... Find out more

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Urquharts Beach Park Area 21 km

6 km SW of Anglesea (L) or 23 km NE Lorne (R) Small area located 500 metres off the highway on the foreshore. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S38 26.10 E144 07.49 ... Find out more

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Leigh River Rest Area 34 km

27 km W of Geelong (R) or 122 km E of Mortlake (L) Large grassed area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S38 05.945 E144 03.855  ... Find out more

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Lorne Park Area 38 km

East side of town Small town park on the foreshore off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S38 31.51 E143 58.48 ... Find out more

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Winchelsea Park Area 45 km

On the riverbank Large grassed area just off the highway. Very good shade and facilities. GPS: S38 14.19 E143 49.18 ... Find out more

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Meredith Park Area 58 km

West side of town Large area located in a side street (turn off at the roadhouse) at Pioneer Park. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S37 50.818 E144 04.397  ... Find out more

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Colac Park Area 64 km

Middle of town Small parking area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S38 20.16 E143 35.41 ... Find out more

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Apollo Bay Park Area 74 km

Adjacent the information centre Small town park on the foreshore. Good facilities. GPS: S38 45.19 E143 40.10  ... Find out more

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Clarendon Rest Area 75 km

26 km S of Ballarat (R) or 60 km N of Geelong (L) Large secluded area just off the highway behind some shady trees. GPS: S37 42.501 E143 58.964... Find out more

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Aire River East Camp Area 90 km

T/O 24 km W of Apollo Bay (L) or 71 km E of Port Campbell (R) Large area among trees 5.5 kilometres south of the highway via Hordern Vale Road in Otway National Park. Limited shade. GPS: S38 47.59 E143 28.56 ... Find out more

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Aire River West Camp Area 91 km

T/O 24 km W of Apollo Bay (L) or 71 km E of Port Campbell (R) Open area located over the bridge 1 kilometre past Aire River East campground in Otway National Park. GPS: S38 48.06 E143 28.39 ... Find out more

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Woady Yaloak Creek Rest Area 94 km

26 km E of Skipton (L) or 6 km W of Smythesdale (R) Large secluded area surrounded by scrub just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S37 40.692 E143 38.337 ... Find out more

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Smythesdale Park Area 95 km

East side of town Secluded town park situated among numerous trees well off the highway via Gardens Street. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Camping available for a fee. GPS: S37 38.372 E143 41.141... Find out more

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Johanna Beach Camp Area 95 km

T/O 38 km W of Apollo Bay (L) or 57 km E of Port Campbell (R) Large open grassed area near the beach 5 kilometres south of the highway via Red Johanna Road in Otway National Park. GPS: S38 45.43 E143 22.45  ... Find out more

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Lismore Park Area 96 km

Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S37 57.230 E143 20.596... Find out more

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Lake Tooliorook Camp Area 99 km

T/O 98 km W of Geelong (L) or 51 km E of Mortlake (R) Large grassed area around trees on the edge of the lake 5 kilometres south of Lismore. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S37 58.653 E143 17.079... Find out more

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Slatey Creek Camp Area 103 km

T/O at Creswick Small secluded campground located 6 kilometres south- east of Creswick via Bungaree Road, Slatey Creek Road, and Petticoat Road. NOTE: Access road part unsealed GPS: S37 27.744 E143 54.246... Find out more

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Derrinallum Park Area 106 km

East end of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S37 56.874 E143 13.442... Find out more

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Creswick South Rest Area 106 km

3 km S of Creswick (R) or 16 km N of Ballarat (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S37 26.581 E143 53.335... Find out more

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Deep Lake Camp Area 110 km

T/O at Derrinallum Large grassed area around trees of the edge of the lake 4 kilometres north of the highway. GPS: S37 55.887 E143 10.611... Find out more

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Twelve Apostles Park Area 113 km

86 km W of Apollo Bay (R) or 10 km E of Port Campbell (L) Large parking area just off the highway area at the interpretive centre near the lookout. GPS: S38 39.41 E143 06.19... Find out more

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Mount Franklin Rest Area 119 km

26 km S of Castlemaine (L) or 10 km N of Daylesford (R) Large secluded area located 1 kilometre off the highway in a very pleasant forest setting. Good shade. GPS: S37 15.937 E144 09.044... Find out more

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Gumbuya Rest Area 121 km

77 km E of Melbourne (L) or 40 km W of Yarragon (R) Small secluded area well off the highway. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S38 04.274 E145 39.807... Find out more

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Peterborough Park Area 130 km

Middle of town Parking area on the foreshore just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S38 36.25 E142 52.45   ... Find out more

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Vaughan Springs Camp Area 130 km

T/O 9 km S of Castlemaine (L) or 27 km N of Daylesford (R) Small campground 6 kilometres east of the highway via Vaughan Springs Road. Good facilities at nearby picnic area. GPS: S37 09.576 E144 12.861... Find out more

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Bunyip Rest Area 132 km

29 km W of Yarragon (L) westbound only Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S38 05.446 E145 48.423... Find out more

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Lexton South Rest Area 134 km

27 km S of Avoca (L) or 43 km N of Ballarat (R) Large area just off the highway. Only limited shade. GPS: S37 17.21 E143 32.50 ... Find out more

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Mortlake Park Area 136 km

Middle of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S38 04.836 E142 48.541  ... Find out more

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Jessie Kennedy Rest Area 136 km

6 km S of Castlemaine (R) or 30 km N of Daylesford (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S37 06.621 E144 11.057... Find out more

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