24 Nov 2025
Tags: Geelong, the bellarine, New openings, New Hotel, new restaurant, Angasi Oysters, Theme Park, Market, Avalon Airport
Ten years in the making, a new food, art and dining destination has opened on The Bellarine. Created by the family behind Oakdene, Quiddity Place brings together a restaurant (Hidden Frog, led by hatted chef Dwayne Bourke), cellar door, two art galleries and boutique vineyard accommodation overlooking Swan Bay. This sprawling property has 60 acres of vines and more than 6,000 olive trees producing Lighthouse Olive Oil. Opened November.
Address: 27 Banks Road, Mannerim
In prime location on Geelong's waterfront, Crowne Plaza will open on January 23 at Nyaal Banyul – the new Geelong Convention and Event Centre. The hotel has 200 rooms, ten of these are accessible and many overlook Corio Bay. A 10th floor bar will be a beautiful location to take in the vista. Also on site is an Italian restaurant, café, ballroom, pool and gym. Opens January 23.
Address: 33 Smythe Street, Geelong
Renders
This country coastal adults-only oasis is famed for its mineral pool and baths — fed from natural springs flowing through limestone caves beneath the 250-acre farm. Now, a new outdoor Contrast Therapy Space introduces Finnish sauna, magnesium-rich natural plunge, Swedish soak bucket, a communal fire-pit and designer lounges with views stretching to the ocean, lighthouse and grazing cows. Opened November.
Address: 25 Gill Road, Point Lonsdale
Contrast Therapy Space Images
Lon Retreat Images
UPSTAIRS BELLARINE
Filipino chefs José Morales and Alyanna Hermoso have opened Upstairs Bellarine - a new fine dining restaurant in Drysdale. Both previously cooked at Brae; José is Michelin trained and was named San Pellegrino Young Chef of the Pacific in 2019; and Alyanna has cooked at Society, Sunda, and Dench Bakery. The menu features Great Ocean Road duck, Portarlington mussels and sea blight which the chefs forage from Portarlington. The kitchen is on show to the two tables of 10, which encourage shared conversation and connection. The restaurant is located upstairs at Bellarine Smokehouse + Provedore - their smoked fish products feature in top restaurants across the country. Opened October.
Address: 6/93 Murradoc Rd, Drysdale
BAYSIDE GEELONG HOTEL & APARTMENTS
A 4.5 star waterfront hotel has opened on Geelong's Esplanade with the completion of stage one of the Bayside Geelong Hotel & Apartments redevelopment. The hotel has 79 new suites and apartments, including accessible rooms (including some hoists), along with a wellness centre, indoor pool (with hoist), sauna and gym. Sustainability has been a focus of the redevelopment with the installation of solar power, energy recovery ventilation and EV charging stations. The in-house restaurant is Franca's Ristorante led by Michelin-trained chef John Hornsey. Opened October.
Stage two will be completed next year bringing the total number of rooms to 110.
Address: 13-15 The Esplanade, Geelong
Popular Bellarine brewery FarmDog Brewing has opened a second home in Geelong. They've created a tasting room and bar in the vibrant Little Malop Street precinct where you can sip handcrafted micro-batch beers, spirits and McGlashan's Estate wines. The FarmDog beer lineup is available (crisp lager, vibrant pale ale, rich dark ale, hoppy IPA, and some bold limited-edition brews – try 'Paddock at the Disco' or 'Slay Dog Sour'). Also on offer is FarmDog Whiskey and curly cocktails such as 'Bacon Martini'. You can order food from neighbouring restaurants to eat at family-friendly FarmDog. Opened September.
Address: 2/5 Denny's Place, Geelong (Little Malop Street precinct)
The Bellarine's most iconic restaurant has reopened after a major renovation designed to honour the building's history and offer something fresh for guests to enjoy. They've added an events space and launched a seasonal menu spotlighting the best local seafood and producers. At The Heads was made famous by 90's hit TV series SeaChange and it boasts panoramic views of the Barwon River, jetty and rivermouth. Re-opened October.
Address: 1A Jetty Rd, Barwon Heads
The Esplanade Hotel Queenscliff has stood proudly since 1879 and has now been renovated and returned to its original name. The menu offers everything from pub classics to local dishes such as Portarlington Mussel Spaghetti and Point Lonsdale Salad. There's a beer garden to enjoy during the warmer months and cosy fireplaces for winter. Families are well catered for with a new kids play area and kids menu. Well behaved pups are welcome in the beer garden too. Re-opened September.
Address: 2 Gellibrand Street, Queenscliff
The Raw serves local seafood and native Australian ingredients, with a twist of Korean and Japanese flavours. Think Jade tiger abalone, Portarlington mussels and tomatoes from Lonsdale Tomato Farm. This cosy restaurant, tucked in an alley near Geelong's waterfront, began as a seafood deli but has quickly grown into a full restaurant. It's run by the team behind Brown Deli, led by Executive Chef Jack Lee. Jack has cooked at Hentley Farm Restaurant in the Barossa Valley (2 hats) under Chef Lachlan Colwill; and represented Australia at the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs junior chef competition in the UK. In 2018, Jack won the Australian Professional Chef of the Year competition by Food service Australia. Opened March.
Address: Shop 10, 6/8 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong
Images
Portarlington Mussel Tours are now selling rare, locally grown Angasi oysters to the public. Previously this delicacy was enjoyed only by guests on Portarlington Mussel Tours. The launch represents a milestone in restoring Port Phillip Bay's native oyster species, once abundant and culturally important to local Indigenous communities. Beyond their history and flavour, these oysters play an important ecological role, filtering water and providing habitat for marine life. Commenced October.
Address: 42 Geelong Rd, Portarlington (sold via Jenkins & Son, pre-order required ph. 5259 2889)
For the first time, Queenscliff Music Festival is introducing a floating venue. Musical cruises will take place aboard a ferry which will be transformed into a floating stage. A boatshed, church and 144-year-old hotel are among other fun venues this year. Acclaimed restaurant TARRA will host an oyster bar and local legend Ket Baker will serve-up their famous sourdough pastries. Takes place annually on the last weekend in November.
Address: various venues around Queenscliff
Victoria's biggest water theme park reopens for the summer on November 22 and they have two new drop water slides 'Thunder Falls' to show off. Step into the launch chamber and when the trap door floor drops away you'll plunge 105 metres at 35km/h. Riders must be over 122cm, suitable for approx. 7+. Opens 22 November.
Address: 1249 Bellarine Highway, Wallington
A Claude Monet masterpiece will be on show in Geelong from November 21 - Meules, milieu du jour [Haystacks, midday] 1890. This precious piece arrives as part of the National Gallery's Sharing the National Collection initiative, which enables audiences across regional Australia to experience major works from the national collection. It will be on display in Geelong for 2 years. Showing from 21 November.
Address: 55 Little Malop St, Geelong
A new weekly market built around local food, produce and creativity. It brings together growers, makers and small businesses with stalls for eating, shopping and learning, plus regular workshops and cooking demos with acclaimed chef Simon Toohey. Runs every Saturday (except 27 December) from 9am to 2pm.
Address: Little Malop Street, Geelong
From March, Jetstar will restart its Avalon to Adelaide service and add more Brisbane flights, making it much easier for interstate visitors to reach Geelong and The Bellarine. And international is back, starting with flights between Bali and Avalon. The airport is gearing up with terminal upgrades, more parking and a daily bus link between the airport and Lara Station, helping travellers get around with less hassle.
Address: 80 Beach Road, Lara
