On a bright day in Port Philip Bay, two guests stand alongside a knowledgeable guide, observing mussels growing on a long mussel rope, Portarlington Mussel Tours, Portarlington, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Portarlington Mussel Tours, Portarlington, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Geelong & Bellarine's farm and food experiences

From land to sea, Geelong and the Bellarine’s makers and growers have built a magnificent food bowl.

On a large patch of bright green grass, overlooking the bay in Bellarine, sits a smartly designed cellar door for Jack Rabbit winery, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

A winery worker holds two trays of wine samples, presented in a unique test tube format, Jack Rabbit winery, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Three guests sit at a table on the grass, awaiting their wine tasting experience at Jack Rabbit Winery, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

An aerial image shows the Portarlington Mussel Tours trawler boat floating gracefully on the sparkling waters of Port Phillip Bay, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Two guests stand on the back of a trawler with experienced mussel farmer Lance Wiffen during their Portarlington Mussel Tour, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Jack Rabbit Winery, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Portarlington Mussel Tours, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Meet the growers and makers

Salt air, cool winds and fertile land make the region a prime playground for world-class winemakers, craft brewers and gin distillers. Meet brewers at FarmDog Brewing and winemakers at Jack Rabbit Vineyard and sip the liquid bounty of the region. For seafood lovers, hop aboard the Portarlington Mussel Tours’ luxury boat to learn about the mussel farmers of Port Philip Bay. You can even sample mussels fresh from the ocean.

Built in 1888, the Portarlington Grand Hotel watches proudly over the main street of Portarlington, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

A smiling bar staffer stands behind beer taps, pulling a beer. Above her is a row of alcohol used to make cocktails, Portarlington Grand Hotel, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Overhead shot of guests walking up a staircase from the bar to the hotel rooms, Portarlington Grand Hotel, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Two guests stand on the hotel room balconies, overlooking the main street of Portarlington and onto the scenic harbour area, Portarlington Grand Hotel, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

A curved sandy bay is hugged by green trees. On the sand sits washed up seaweed, Portarlington, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Portarlington Grand Hotel, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Wake up by the water

The seaside villages and regional townships of Geelong and the Bellarine offer quaint hotels, guesthouses and cottages galore. The Portarlington Grand Hotel has been welcoming travellers since 1888. Recently refurbished, this seaside retreat is a popular haunt for visitors and locals alike. Grab a drink and a classic Australian pub meal before retiring to the cosy rooms upstairs. To unwind in a private cottage or roomy suite, look no further than the Oxley Estate.

A friendly, smiling tour guide shows a group of people through a winery barrel room, Epic Taste Experiences, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Epic Taste Experiences

Inside a cosy winery barrel hall, with a pitched high roof, a tour group sits on couches at a low table. Behind a tour guide walks around fetching tastings for the group to sample, Epic Taste Experiences, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Epic Taste Experiences

A group of diners sit on the deck of a winery, overlooking the rolling country landscape. They are all charging their glasses, toasting one another, with wine from the winery, Epic Taste Experiences, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Epic Taste Experiences

Taste the region like a local

The best way to see a place is through the eyes of someone who knows and loves it. That’s the exact magic behind the tours with Epic Taste Experiences. No two tours are the same, your experience will be tailored to your taste buds. Keen on low intervention growing? Want to learn more about pairing wines with food? Fancy a picnic in a secret spot? The Epic Taste team has you covered.

An owner walks a group through the kitchen garden at Harvest Experience, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Harvest Experience

A close up photo of an owner holding a freshly picked bunch of green leafy vegetables at Harvest Experience, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Harvest Experience

Two people stand at a kitchen-style bench, taking part in the cooking class at Harvest Experience. They are both laughing as they work on rolling out dough with rolling pins. They are both wearing aprons with ‘Harvest Experience’ embroidered on the front, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Harvest Experience

Two people are sitting down to eat at a shared table. They look happy, and are chatting to others not pictured, as they enjoy the meal they prepared as part of the Harvest Experience cooking class. Sitting on the table along with their food are glasses of local wine, Harvest Experience, Geelong and the Bellarine, Victoria © Harvest Experience

Cook the coastal way

So intoxicating is the culinary culture of this seaside region that husband and wife duo Greg and Michelle quit their city jobs to pickle, preserve and produce food on a rural property in Drysdale. This love for exceptional ingredients grew into Harvest Experience, a garden-to-table cooking studio. It’s just one of the many incredible opportunities across Geelong and the Bellarine where you can experience first-hand how to cook with the bounty of native and fresh ingredients.

Geelong & Bellarine's farm and food experiences

Meet the growers and makers

Meet the growers and makers

Wake up by the water

Wake up by the water

Taste the region like a local

Taste the region like a local

Cook the coastal way

Cook the coastal way

More articles like this