The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Lake Connewarre Wildlife Reserve

The Eastern Beach Swimming Enclosure is a historic, shark-proof sea bath in Corio Bay, with a unique curved boardwalk and Art Deco design dating back to the 1930s. The large saltwater enclosure includes a large tower, diving boards, floating platforms, and a separate shallow children’s pool, making it one of Geelong’s most popular and family-friendly swimming areas. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped open space it's ideal for a picnic. You'll also find toilets, dressing rooms and an on-site café, which is why it remains a central attraction on the waterfront.

Barwon Heads Bluff is a prominent coastal headland overlooking the confluence of the Barwon River and Bass Strait, offering beautiful sweeping views of the ocean, river, and surrounding coastline. This area is part of the Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary, where rock platforms and reefs support diverse marine life that are exposed at low tide for exploration. The walking tracks around the bluff offer fantastic panoramic views, and if you’re here during the right time of year (May to July and September to November), you’ll have a chance to spot migrating whales offshore.

Barwon River flows through Victoria to meet the sea at Barwon Heads, forming a wide estuary that separates Ocean Grove from its neighbouring town. It’s calm, tidal waters are ideal for canoeing, boating, fishing, and paddleboarding, with plenty of shady spots along the foreshore. The river connects inland wetlands and Lake Connewarre to the coast, creating an important ecological waterway and a popular local recreation spot.

Ocean Grove Beach is a long and wide stretch of sandy coastline that extends roughly two kilometres along the Bellarine Peninsula, backed by rolling dunes. This beach is a popular destination for surfers due to its moderate waves and seasonal lifeguard patrols, with ample parking access and plenty of picnic areas. With less wave energy than the surrounding exposed coasts, this beach is ideal for swimming, surfing, and walking, making it a fantastic family-friendly choice, especially in the summer.

Barwon River Trail follows the Barwon River through Geelong on more than 20 kilometres of mostly sealed paths, connecting Fyansford to South Geelong. The trail runs along both sides of the river, passing through a mix of parkland, wetlands, and open riverbanks. Along the way, it links key spots like Queens Park, Balyang Sanctuary, Belmont Common, and Buckley Falls. You’ll also pass playgrounds, picnic areas, and quieter sections of river, with multiple access points and parking throughout, and no entry fee.

The Barwon River runs for about 160 kilometres from the Otway Ranges to the coast at Barwon Heads, passing through Geelong as a wide, slow-moving waterway. Along this section, it flows gently between tree-lined banks and open parkland, with calm water and soft bends. This lookout is a great spot to pause and take in the view.

Women’s Place of Peace is a small riverside garden along the Barwon River in Geelong, created by the Reclaim the Night Collective as a quiet space for reflection. It honours survivors of sexual assault and family violence, as well as women who have worked to protect the rights and safety of women and children. The area features a series of mosaic pavers set into the ground, each with symbolic designs representing themes of strength, creation, and connection.

Stan Lewis Walk follows the Barwon River in Geelong, offering a mostly flat, shared path through open parkland and along the water’s edge. It was named in 1975 in memory of Stan Lewis, superintendent of maintenance for the Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust. The track is popular for walking, running, and cycling, with regular river views and open green space.