You know you have a great group of friends when you can enjoy relaxing with them, whether it's doing something new, or doing nothing.
If you need to switch off for a few days, you don't need to wait for the next long weekend. Try this itinerary on the Bellarine Peninsula, gateway to the Great Ocean Road, only about a 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne:
Stay at this modern holiday house in Ocean Grove
This amazing, renovated house is perfect for a big group of friends. Once you split the costs between everyone, the price is not out of reach.
A modern open plan living space - image taken from the Barwon Grove Holiday Rentals website
Located in a quiet suburban street, the house includes sleek, minimalist bathrooms and a kitchen with so many drawers, it's hard to keep up with it all. There's also a games room with numerous board games to keep you occupied each night.
Breakfast outside on the patio
The winning factor though was the fire pit in the backyard - suitable for toasting marshmallows, making S'mores and keeping warm whilst chilling outside with food, drink and good company.
S'mores over the fire
If you're heading out, stop by the Barwon Heads market held on the last Saturday of each month, 9am-1pm.
With stalls lined up outside and inside a hall, the market isn't very big but you may find some gems ranging from fresh produce to homemade chutneys.
Sunny day at the market
Fishing is a relaxing activity especially on a sunny day with blue skies. Point Lonsdale Jetty is a popular spot for fishing so we gathered our gear and went to try our luck during high tide in the afternoon.
The beautiful view from the jetty
High tide is ideal for catching squid. You use a special hook called a jig for catching squid pictured below.
A squid jig, a little different to normal fishing
We had three rods going but ultimately had no luck. We saw a few fish caught but not all big enough to keep. Nevertheless, it was a relaxing afternoon on the pier, watching the waves and blue skies, eating snacks and chatting.
Other enthusiastic punters
Eat at Annie's Provedore: 2/50 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads
Barwon Heads has a little street of shops and cafés. We popped into Annie's Provedore on a friend's recommendation.
Seating is quite cosy but that seems to be the overall atmosphere - rustic, cosy and full of goodies. The walls were lined with wines, chutneys, pasta, cheese and more. It was very hard to resist everything!
The cafe doubles as a shop full of home-made produce, cheeses, pasta and more
A coffee on the rustic table
As it is a small shop and a great representation of local business and food, service is a little slow. But when I finally received my serve of Apple and Rhubarb Pancakes, I was fairly satisfied with my choice. It was definitely a guilty-pleasure type of meal.
Apple and rhubarb pancakes
Before you head off, take a stroll down to the iconic Barwon Heads Bluff. There is carpark on the corner of the roundabout between Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove Rd and Ewing Blyth Drive. There is an Information Centre there that can direct you on the right path.
A view of the bluff from below
There was another jetty here where people were also fishing. The day was full of extremely strong waves and winds so it felt many degrees colder than our day at Point Lonsdale.
Indecisive weather sometimes makes for beautiful views
A walk was a good way to warm up. We walked along the path where the waves continuously crashed against the side - so much so that you can easily get wet when standing in the wrong place at the wrong time!
The path runs alongside a caravan park then has a stairway leading up to the Bluff. From the Bluff, you can see the calmer ocean waves in the distance and we spotted a few brave souls going out to sea to surf.
We walked a little further after the Bluff to see that the walk continues along the coast.
A serene walkway just after the bluff
We were about to embark on this extension when it started raining, so we circled our way back to the car park.
Drink coffee at Culture Coffee: 5-7 Bridge Rd, Barwon Heads
This cute little coffee van is located in front of
Kiitos Living by Design. We stopped by here just before they closed to grab a coffee before our way home.
Culture Coffee van located in front of a niche gift shop
The coffee was a bit skinny for a large size compared to other central Melbourne cafes, but it was strong, so did the trick.
A vanilla latte from the coffee van
If you are looking for your next short getaway, head to Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads. Find a place and book a night or two, and you'll find it the perfect atmosphere to relax in.
