Barwon Heads

Barwon Heads is a coastal town at the mouth of the Barwon River on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, within the City of Greater Geelong. Located where the river meets Bass Strait, it is known for its ocean beach, river estuary, limestone bluff and village atmosphere. The town is notable for its surf beach, fishing and water sports, protected wetlands and as a gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula's beaches and nature reserves.

Visitors can expect a relaxed seaside village set between a long ocean surf beach and the calm estuary of the Barwon River. The foreshore offers sandy beaches, river frontage, the limestone Barwon Heads Bluff with walking tracks and lookouts, and a compact town centre with cafes, shops and galleries. Areas to explore include the beach and river mouth, Bluff walking trails, river trails for kayaking and paddleboarding, and nearby wetlands and coastal reserves for birdwatching and photography.

The area is part of Wadawurrung Country. European settlement developed from the 1870s as a fishing village and seaside resort. The Barwon Heads Bridge, first built as a timber bridge in 1927 and later replaced, was important in linking the Bellarine Peninsula communities. The town retains heritage cottages, early guesthouses and a long association with fishing and coastal recreation.

Barwon Heads is known for its coastal village character and as the filming location for the Australian television series SeaChange, which used the town as the fictional Perry Bay. The river estuary and wetlands hold cultural importance for the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and are valued for community recreation, fishing and nature appreciation.