Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine

17/09/2026

This week we're celebrating members who have reached some great milestones:

🎂At the end of August Boom Gallery celebrated 15 years
🎂This weekend Batesford Hotel is celebrating their 2nd birthday
🎂This month Bellarine Estate turns celebrates 30 years

to all these businesses for being part of what makes Geelong and the Bellarine so special

📷Image Credit: Boom Gallery, Batesford Hotel and Bellarine Estate

16/09/2026

Our region had some BIG wins this week 🏆

We wanted to extend a huge congratulations to the Team Tourism members who took out their categories at the 2026 Restaurant & Catering HostPlus Awards for Excellence on Monday Night.

🥇Woolstore Restaurant & Bar - Contempory Australian Restaurant - Formal
🥇Tommy Gunns Barwon Heads - Contempory Australian Restaurant - Informal
🥇The Retreat Geelong - New Restaurant - Regional
🥇Claribeaux - Restaurant in a Pub/Club
🥇The Q Train - Tourism Restaurant

And a big special mention also goes to Two Noble, Jack Rabbit Vineyard Restaurant, Fantome Wine Bar and Eileen's Charcoal Grill who were finalists.

A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes making an awards submission, so well done to everyone!

📷Image Credit: The Retreat Geelong

14/09/2026

Today is off to an incredible start with Portarlington awarded Bronze in Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards in the Small Town category this morning!

This prestigious national award is a huge achievement for our wonderful Portarlington members and community who provide an outstanding tourism experiences for visitors. The award highlights the collective efforts the people and businesses that make Portarlington such a special destination. This one’s for you! 👏

If you’d like to join the celebrations, Portarlington’s gold trophy from the Victorian Tourism Awards is currently on tour:
Stop 1: Portarlington Community Information Booth - 4-18 September
Stop 2: Portarlington Grand Hotel - 18 September - 2 October
Stop 3: Portarlington Golf Club - 2 October - 9 October
Stop 4: Jack Rabbit Vineyard - 9 October - 23 October
Stop 5: Bellarine Bayside Portarlington - 23 October - 6 November

Read more: https://tourismgeelongbellarine.com.au/news/latest/portarlington-recognised-on-national-stage/

14/09/2026

Did you know you can stay in a Grand Designs Australia house right here on the Bellarine Peninsula?

We chatted to Robert Wilhelm about how Starhaven Retreat came to be, and what he loves about Geelong and the Bellarine.

The idea for the business grew from the interest generated after the home was featured on Season 1 of the show. Visitors were eager to experience the property for themselves, inspiring the decision to open Starhaven Retreat as a luxury bed and breakfast to share what had been created.

If Robert had a day off to explore Geelong and the Bellarine he'd spend it by first going for a drive along the foreshore enjoying the scenery. Then he'd stop off at Bennett's cellar door for a leisurely lunch, before heading off to the Whiskery for a flight of gin & whiskey. To round the day off he'd stop in at Pop's Wine Bar for some sliders and an amazing cocktail. Pop's Wine Bar is one of his latest favourites for its impeccable service, great vibe, excellent drinks and delicious food.

He'd end the night back to Starhaven Retreat for a relaxing evening in the cinema with a popcorn in hand. That's right, a cinema! Starhaven Retreat has an underground level home to a cinema, bar and spa facilities. This often takes guests by surprise, who describe it as like a "Tardis".

In three words, Robert would describe Geelong and The Bellarine as: beautiful, relaxing, getaway. We couldn't agree more!

07/09/2026

Blame Mabel is a family-owned vineyard, cellar door and farm stay, offering guests a genuine country experience through wine, accommodation, produce and gatherings in the Moorabool Valley.

Gareth Rowe is one of the faces behind the business, which was named after his dog, Mabel. She’s charming, opinionated, occasionally moody, and has become a firm part of the business story.

Among Gareth’s proudest achievements has been bringing the vineyard back to life. He says seeing the vines recover and yields gradually increase has been incredibly rewarding, while positive feedback from industry professionals about their Riesling has made the journey even more special.

On a day off, you'll likely find him exploring other local wineries, enjoying a long lunch or poking vintage shops for treasures to add to their accommodation. He’s draw to other vineyards, and loves fellow Moorabool Valley favourites Clyde Park, Lethbridge Winery and Austin's, along with The Batesford Hotel for its authentic country feel.

And when asked to choose between coffee or tea, he opts for option C – WINE!

04/09/2026

Portarlington's gold trophy is going on tour! 🏆😍

To continue the celebrations of Portarlington's gold win as Victoria's Top Small Tourism Town the trophy will be popping up at a few businesses around the town - starting with the info booth.

A big thank you to the tourism industry, businesses and community that helped rally the votes and that make Portarlington the incredible town that it is.

👀If you'd like to see the trophy head to the below spots:

Stop 1: Portarlington Community Information Booth - 4-18 September
Stop 2: Portarlington Grand Hotel - 18 September - 2 October
Stop 3: Portarlington Golf Club - 2 October - 9 October
Stop 4: Jack Rabbit Vineyard - 9 October - 23 October
Stop 5: Bellarine Bayside Portarlington - 23 October - 6 November

03/09/2026

to Bellarine Estate who are celebrating 30 years this month! What a milestone 👏

This month we are turning the BIG 30!

Three decades of great Wine, Good Times and Amazing memories.

27/08/2026

Last week was the 2026 Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence. to our members who brought home the gold:

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong won gold for Regional Accommodation of the Year.

Novotel Geelong's Tempo Kitchen and Bar won gold for Regional Hotel Restaurant and Jake Shelberg, Director of Food and Beverage won gold for F&B Employee of the Year.

Bayside Geelong Hotel & Apartments won the award for Excellence for Inclusion and Accessibility.

We are so proud of all the winners and finalists from our region!

25/08/2026

Congratulations to Lethbridge Wines for winning the 'Wild Card of the Year' in the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards for the second year running with the 2020 Radikal 'Orange' wine!

24/08/2026

Nestled away in Newtown is Jade and May, a store that curates sleepwear, loungewear, homewares and gifts with a focus on natural fibres and independent makers from all over the world.

The face behind the business is Carlie O’Louglin. From designing their own collections to discovering independent makers, Carlie brings everything together to create a distinctly Jade and May feel. One of the things she loves most about the job is finding beautiful things and learning about the people behind them.

It doesn’t hurt that Carlie is a self-confessed treasure hunter. Give her a market, a tiny backstreet shop or a local maker to discover and she'll happily lose a few hours uncovering some fun finds.

And the soundtrack to a perfect workday? Chateau by Angus & Julia Stone. Dreamy, relaxed and a little escapist, it’s the perfect accompaniment to a day spent surrounded by beautiful things.