We moved down to Ocean Grove almost two years ago from Melbourne. I wasn’t sure how quickly we would integrate into the local community and how long it would be before we would feel like “locals”. The answer was not long at all, we love our life here and couldn’t be happier we decided to make the move.

My family and I love being outdoors and to be honest it is the main reason we decided to immigrate  to Australia in the first place. We love walking, mountain biking, camping, 4×4 driving and having new adventures.

Here are a couple of our favourite spots we have found so far…

Barwon Heads

It is a regular event in our house to check the tides and at low tide head out for a family stroll around the bluff, it is different every time, the kids explore the beach and the rocks and there is also an app you can download to identify wildlife and learn as you go (my kids are obsessed with animals) After the walk there are plenty of amazing places to grab a snack, meal and/or amazing coffee.

You Yangs

This place is amazing.  There is everything a family who likes to explore could wish for. Kid friendly walks and bike tracks, rocks to clamber over, stick tepees everywhere to explore and when the family is all worn out, there are loads of amazing picnic spots and public BBQs to use (we never head there without sausages, bread and marshmallows.)

Ocean Grove

I’m biased because I live here, but Ocean Grove, aside from being a great place to live, is also a great place to visit. The main beach is good for families and there is usually a coffee/snack truck parked by the showers to re-fuel during the day. There are also great walking/cycling tracks everywhere and its easy to lose a few hours walking on the beach or running/riding along the tracks.

Queenscliff

This is a great place to visit. They have the marine discovery centre which is great (but isn’t open to the public very often, so you need to check on-line).

The Bellarine Railway is a firm favourite in our house, we ride on the steam train to Drysdale and then explore and hop back on for the return journey, who doesn’t love a ride in a steam engine? Plus, they do themed events like Thomas the Tank Engine and Santa train days too.

Queenscliff is also the start/finish of the Bellarine Rail Trail, which in a cycle track running between Queenscliff and South Geelong and is a great way to explore the local area safely by bike.

We are loving life here and have zero regrets about making the decision to re-locate here. The schools are amazing, the community is welcoming and the region is spectacular. We have so much more to explore and I suspect we will still be finding new places for many years to come.

Words:  Rebecca Johnston Principal Consultant & Recruitment Lead

Maree Herath

With over twenty five years working in recruitment, Maree has significant global experience recruiting for some of APACs leading brands across Melbourne, Perth and Hong Kong.

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