Golfing in Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula
Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula boast coastal landscapes with courses set in behind the sand dunes.
Play the well-established Barwon Heads course, constantly rated as one of Australia’s top courses. While not especially long, the course tests golfers of all standards with cleverly positioned hazards, subtle slopes and greens, along with challenging tree positions. In addition to a stunning open setting, it features an historical clubhouse, providing quality accommodation overlooking the course and the coastline.
The 36-hole Thirteenth Beach complex is ranked in Australia’s top 20 and features the links-inspired Beach course, following the coastal dunes, and the Creek course, designed by Nick Faldo.
Barwon Heads
Golf Links Road, Barwon Heads
Ph 03 5254 2302
Par 70; 5,757 metres
Nestled in the dunes at the mouth of the Barwon River, a classical links course. Not long, but lots of charm. Plenty of wonderful holes, but none better than the third. A par four of 373 metres, it doglegs right, around
a naturally occurring sandy wasteland. Once reaching the turning point, it's an uphill shot to a green set high on a ridge. The downhill 13th is known as the postage stamp for good reason.
Point Lonsdale
Fellows Road, Point Lonsdale
Ph 03 5258 1955
Par 72; 5,815 metres
Located alongside the Heads of Port Phillip Bay, but on the opposite side to Portsea. Front nine holes are laid out toward the marsh land of Lake Victoria and its native bird life. A tricky course with many dogleg holes that require a lay-up to the corner from the tee. Relatively small greens by modern standards, but some lovely contouring makes for stimulating putting.
Queenscliff
Swan Island, Queenscliff
Ph 03 5258 1951
Par 72; 5,873 metres
Queenscliff is a unique golfing location occupying a large section of Swan Island. Surrounded by water, the course weaves through bushland and natural wetland teeming with wildlife. The endangered orange-belly parrot migrates here from Tasmania at the end of winter. One fairway on the sand-based course is fenced off to give parrots free rein.
The Sands Torquay
Sands Boulevard, Torquay
Ph 03 5264 8801
Par 72; 6,582 metres
The Sands signals the first foray into golf course architecture for 2002 Australian Open champion Stuart Appleby. Bunkering is a feature of the design, with sand blending seamlessly into the seaside backdrop. Some holes on the back nine border the foreshore reserve and crashing surf of Bass Strait. Look especially forward to the 14th hole, a par four laid out alongside sand dunes, with views along the coastline to Barwon Heads.
Thirteenth Beach
Geelong-Barwon Heads Road, Barwon Heads
Ph 03 5254 2922
Beach course – par 72; 6,441 metres
Creek course – par 72; 6,396 metres
Offers golfers real variety, with several holes on the highly rated Beach Course running parallel to the coastline, with just the dunes as a buffer
between golfers and board riders. This course on the Bellarine Peninsula has a collection of outstanding holes gaining fame for their green settings. The Creek Course, designed by six time major winner Nick Faldo, is more of a parkland style, set among cypresses and pines.
