Ocean Grove
100 klm South of Melbourne on the Surf Coast
Liam, Caitlan, Sonny & Poppy, asked is to join them for a 5 day break at Ocean Grove late last year. They had stayed at the Big4, caravan park, on the Bellarine Peninsula, for the last few years. We decided to take our van. Liam had booked into a cabin. We have not taken a caravan holiday break over main school holidays before and certainly not at the peak Christmas period.
This is new territory for us, as we are used to free camping, council show grounds, or regional caravan parks. First surprise was the the cost $750 for 5 nights. We are used to #30-45 dollar per night stays.
You can see the attraction of Big4 parks. They cater incredibly for young families. Facilities are first class. Cinemas, indoor pools, diverse range of playground equipment, reptile displays and interaction with children and many more thoughtful presentations.
A touch early for our site, so we have a cuppa in the van at Queenscliff
All of Melbourne’s container ships from around the globe pass through these heads, to open waters.
Liam & Sonny on the hire bikes available for $10 hr 
Caitlan also joins in
Queenscliff 50th Coast Guard birthday, celebrating 50 years of volunteer marine rescue. It was an open day for the community to get together, view displays, explore its history and enjoy the free activities in the surround park lands adjacent to the railway station.
Free steam train rides. Queenscliff to Drysdale. I first traveled on this line in the late 1970’s with my brother Tony. A rail enthusiast.
Queenscliff
About 15klm from the caravan park
A delightful town, with many historical buildings, lovely quaint shops, cafes, pubs, lighthouses, army museum /barracks. A great history for all the family. Car Ferry leaving on the hour both ways from Sorrento to Queenscliff.
Ocean Grove
Population is around 18000. In 1869, the American Methodists established a permanent religious community on the eastern side of the Barwon River. In 1927 the town was linked by bridge to Barwon Heads. As Methodists were a Temperance Society, no liquor or outlets were allowed within the town limits. In 2014 a tribunal ruled that the ban was no longer enforceable.
Ocean Grove is great for fishing, surfing, bush walking, canoeing and many other activities.
The foreshore in Torquay. Windy, warm but cloudy day, so we headed to Torquay for breakfast.
All sites are generous in size, plenty of space. Facilities, are first class. I would recommend it to anyone. Situated on the highway, a little isolated. Too far to walk to shops etc. Not near the beach.
