Plan your ultimate Great Ocean Road and Bellarine road trip

We’ve rounded up twelve must-visit golf ranges from Geelong down the coast to Port Fairy, all offering up their own distinct adventures, from eco-suite stays to unbelievable views of the You Yangs plains, not to mention some of the finest courses in Australia.

Here’s the guide to the ultimate golf road trip across Victoria’s coast, starting in the Bellarine Peninsula. We’d recommend at least five days, which is enough time to play a few rounds and then soak in the natural wonders, fine food and experiences on offer too.

Bellarine Peninsula

Starting off with a luxurious experience, Curlewis Golf Club is just an hour’s drive from Melbourne and just east of Geelong. While it boasts an impeccably kept course, also featuring mini golf and a range, Curlewis’s real appeal might be the next-level off-course experiences.

After a game, head to one of their three restaurants — ranging from the fine-dining, French-leaning Claribeaux to the casual burgers and homemade cakes at The Range — and check into the eco-suites, modern rooms with stunning views of the course .

A short 20 minute drive from Curlewis is the beachy Barwon Heads, home to three of Australia’s top-50 public golf courses. Thirteenth Beach boasts two courses — Creek or Beach — while the Barwon Heads Golf Club has a Heritage Victoria-listed clubhouse, for those who appreciate a historic venue. And if you’re up for adding some extra adrenaline to your stay, the local airport offers scenic flights and skydiving too.

Also on the Peninsula are Portarlington Golf Club and Lonsdale Links — the former is especially worth a visit during its annual Carnival Of Golf, a week of competitive games and social events held in late August/early September.

The Great Ocean Road

Beginning at Torquay and ending just outside Warrnambool, the Great Ocean Road is an essential road trip for any Australian. The 240-kilometer drive offers unparalleled natural beauty hugging the Surf Coast, running through rainforests and passing unforgettable wonders like the Twelve Apostles and countless limestone beaches.

Take it all in — and visit some of the nation’s prettiest golf courses along the way, littered across towns. Start at RACV Torquay Golf Course and/or The Sands (both of which offer high-end course-side accommodation) and then make your way to Anglesea Golf Club, which in addition to its unique, challenging terrain is also home to a colony of Eastern Gray Kangaroos. Get up-close with a kangaroo tour after a round.

The Lorne Country Club boasts an 18-hole course as well as tennis facilities, although don’t tire yourself out. Lorne is a perfect stop to conquer the Surf Coast Walk, a 44km track that immerses you in the region’s bushland while hugging the beautiful, one-of-a-kind cliffsides.

On the drive along Ocean Road, be sure to stop at Peterborough Golf Club, which offers a cliffside course that has to be seen to be believed. And don’t skip the tiny, picturesque town of Terang, which features a golf course home to many native birds.

And once you’ve made it to Warrnambool, head to their par-72 for stunning views of the infamous Shipwreck Coast, or hit up Port Fairy Golf Club for a challenging game among the sand dunes — an experience like no other.

Feeling inspired?

To celebrate Victoria’s adventurous landscape, Great Ocean Road Tourism & Tourism Geelong Bellarine are giving away the ultimate adventure holiday experience. All you need to do is answer a few questions and you could win a $5,000 trip. Terms and conditions apply, click HERE and hit “Get Started” and follow the prompts!

This feature is a paid promotion on behalf of Great Ocean Road Tourism & Greater Geelong and The Bellarine Tourism.