What's New......in Barwon Heads
Celtic Festival - Queens B'day weekend - further down the page under music
Check out the Bellarine Taste Trail web site - live from 30/11/10. Wineries, Breweries, farm foods, local mussels, great restaurants !!!! The Bellarine is the new Yarra Valley with a coastal twist !!! Taste Trail packages with SeahavenVillage on the site (www.theBellarineTasteTrail.com.au)
Specials !!!!! Great Getaway deals - (see our DEALS page!!!!!!!!)
Seahaven Village is still growing
Not only have we now completed our office (with lots of tourist info & a big DVD collection for free loan) and more 4.5 star accommodation but we are well into construction of a new 4 bedroom villa a little closer to the river and looking out over parkland which will be great accom for 4 couples (4 KS), girls groups or golfing guys (8 singles) or 2 families - 2 outdoor areas, 2 living areas, 2 bathrooms with separate WCs, big TVs, laundry, BBQs. We're excited about the possibilities!!!
And we've given Barwon Cottage a makeover. We'll be able to make it up as a QS with ensuite + King or 3 singles in the second (large) bedroom with the main spa bathroom + a double sofa bed if we need to accommodate a couple of extra guests - flexible!!!
Digital TV - yes we have new flat panel TV's in all of our 4.5 star accommodation and most of our other cottages now have large flat screen digital TVs which with our superior aerials make for great viewing!!
Dishwashers - All of our accom now has dishwashers except for our studios. Recently we installed them in the 1 bedroom units along with convection microwaves and built in cooktops and rangehoods for better cooking capability.
SPECIAL ACCESS - for wheelchairs and walkers
We now have a 2 br cottage (Colite) and a 1 br unit with ramps and wheel in showers/ rails etc.. We have already had guests who have given them a vote of approval - and they look great too !!
Laundry facilities - irons and ironing boards are now in all accom + we now have more washers and driers - 10 washers at last count - & no charge to use them!!!
RESTAURANT NEWS
Some great midweek options (combine with one of our great midweek Barwon Heads getaway packages & walk to the restaurants)
1. BeachHouse - at 48 Hitchcock - a fusion of cafe style & restaurant. The big sundeck is the perfect place for a coffee or drink with an everchanging tapas menu from 11.30 am daily (or retreat to the fireside on colder days).. Speaking of colder days the Beachhouse is running a $25 lunch special in winter (2 courses + a wine or beer / Mon - Fri) ........ Ph 5254 3376 or www.BeachHouseBarwonHeads.com.au
2. At the Heads on the pier is running $17 specials in the bar and deck sections of the restaurant (every night except Saturday). Also happy hour nightly 4 - 6pm and live music 5- 7pm Friday evening. Plus they have a new menu & light lunch options . Check it out at their website (go to our links page for a quick link !!!) - all with that wonderful view over Bass Strait and a wood fire on colder days.
Ph 03 5254 1277
3. Barwon Orange - 60 Hitchcock - great atmosphere with Big Bertha, the wood fired oven - cosy in winter!! Good spot for coffee and cakes.
open Wednes for dinner 3pm + / Thurs to Sunday 8.30 - late (all day breakfast/ lunch/ dinner) fully licensed (or BYO wine - corkage applies).
$10 regular pizzas Wed/ Thurs/ Sun nights
Ph 03 5254 1090
Menus at www.barwonorange.com.au
4. 13th Beach Golf Club Restaurant Great dining in a great peaceful setting. Its also terrific venue for breakfast on weekends (from 8am), lunch (til 3pm) or (fri,sat) dinner after daylight saving - also coffee & snacks all day. Those looking for a more secluded, quiet and very comfortable venue for a couple or group would be well advised to check it out - Ph 5254 2922
5. The Pod - Tea rooms/ cafe. ... great coffee, cakes, all day breakfast ..... on the corner of Hitchcock and Bridge Rd. Now has a licence . Check out Amy's lone star influence on the menu - Tex Mex food , mex & other beers + local wines - something new to try!! Funky surf decor ... Ph 5254 2288
6. The BH Hotel - opposite the Bridge - has great quality meals with generous serves, lots of kids options, big wine variety - right up there with the best pub meals and a chef who is making a name for himself in the Bellarine!! Check out their website for info on Christmas 3 course Lunch @ $85 per head.
7. Fish & Chips - We are spoiled for choice with 3 terrific options
- Barwon Heads Fish & Chips - open all year - just phone through your order on 5354 2214. All sorts of great fish options - saw a deal on crays the other day !!
- Gilligans on the corner of the Main St & Bridge Rd - licenced .... a range of meal packs
- River Mouth Fish Cafe is open again now that the Bridge works outside are done!!! - quality and variety famous fish cones & healthy choices - dine in ... dine outside (Now licensed) or take away - just across from the beach and looking great!! Open through peak times from 8.00 for breakfast to 8.30 pm.. Oh..... great coffee (& tea) from Coffee Cartel and the best cakes !!! .... Phone orders or bookings ... 5254 1188
8. Annie's Provedore - has expanded the premises to offer more especially in the way of evening meals (Fri/ Sat 6 - 9.30 pm). It looks great and of course there are lots of scrumptious offerings along with wines, beers, etc. + a big range of cake and coffee temptations & things to take home (like gourmet pizza)to eat or incorporate in your own creations. At 2/50 Hitchcock ... Ph 5254 3233
9. Scandinavian Ice Cream - great option to follow a meal out. wonderful range of flavours + smoothies, sushi and other things (also has DVD hire).
MUSIC NEWS
The National Celtic Festival - June long weekend
This a huge event and it takes place over 1 evening and 3 days - Fri 10 (evening) and Sat11, Sun 12 & Mon 13 June.
The number of performers is extensive and varied ... headed up by Soles (an Irish band from the US) + an assortment of other international acts from Ireland , Scotland, the US, Canada, etc.. In addition there are a large number of local and interstate acts - bands, groups, soloists and orchestras + other acts - something for everyone!! ...... plus lots of other things to see and do - food, wine, market stalls, performers, sights !!??!!
More info at their great website - www.nationalcelticfestival.com
Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea - the monster 11th Festival took place in March with various midweek activities along with the main activities on Sun 21st March - Music, food, market, enviro activities, art and quilting shows, kids activities, etc.. More details & photos from 2011 @ www.BarwonHeads.net/FestivalOfTheSea
The Zebra Bar in Ocean Grove - great music on a regular basis. Check out Zebra live music on www.zebrabar.com.au ........ all sorts of activities + a great range of food offerings !!!
or Ph 03 5255 3961
Piping Hot Chicken Shop - Ocean Grove
Has music offerings most weekends.
Details 03 5255 1566
The Barwon Heads Hotel not only produces restaurant quality meals but also has great live music events happening every Saturday night and other times - Check www.BarwonHeadsHotel.com.au or phone 1800 632585 for more info.
e.g. The Beautiful Girls Sun 23 Jan, Babba Fri 11 Feb
Check our LINKS page for Restaurant info / phone numbers/ etc
ACTIVITIES NEWS
DIVING
this is the big news on The Bellarine. Last year the HMAS Canberra was sunk just off the coast here to provide a great dive site.
And there are lots of other great dives and dive operators to help in this area too - to rival anywhere else in the world !!!
FISHING
We've had quite a few fishing people stay lately. They've been impressed with the range of fishing options and by all accounts happy with their catch. Plus we have been able to offer off street parking for the boats !!!
BARWON HEADS MOTEL???
No there isn't a motel in Barwon Heads but Seahaven Village aims to fill this void by offering inexpensive but excellent standard accommodation with all linen, towels, chocolates, toiletries, etc.. Our Studios and one bedroom suites are self contained, double glazed, spacious, have outdoor living, free laundry facilities & video library - better than a motel but at a similar price.
COMFORT AT SEAHAVEN VILLAGE ????
You bet !! RC Split Air con (great cooling or heating) + ceiling fans + plenty of insulation. Plus we have double glazing to most of the cottages & suites, etc.. COMFY, comfy, COMFY!!!! - and quieter too
What don't we have at Seahaven Village??? - unlike some of the unrated private homes up for rent we don't have grandma's old mattress and pillows or auntie's old sofa (looks OK with a throw over it !!!!???) ....... No No No - we have only quality bedding (checked by AAATourism) for your "no nasty surprises" Barwon Heads holiday rental
SHOPPING IN BARWON HEADS
If you haven't been to Barwon Heads for a while you'll be surprised at the range of shops on offer - and hardly a franchise or chain store to be seen (nothing you'll find at your neighborhood Westfield centre) !!!! The following are just a selection of the newer offerings in town. There is also a great little supermarket, newsagency, pharmacy, surfshops, giftshops, PO, a big range of food shops and restaurants, etc..
NEW IN TOWN
Between the Supermarket & the main street
Kiitos - living by design - wow !! Those of us who like clean Scandinavian (& other) design love the range Maria at kiitos has put together - Marimekko textiles, apparel, homewares, stylish Swedish clogs!! New in stock - the Finnish Klop garden or beach game. Gift registry. Check it out at the corner of Bridge & Hitchcock.
Ph 0408 561917
Jo's Organic Treats - NEW !!! ... next to Kiitos - organic/biodynamic & free range foods, great coffee, gifts, personal care range ... 5-7 Bridge Rd ... Ph 5254 1886
RAIFE boutique surfware - Hamish has assembled a range of beautiful and exclusive fashion items ... on the other side of Kiitos at 5 - 7 Bridge Rd
... 0433 184770 .... www.raife.com
Rigby's Homewares - Merrilyn has taken more space on site to include more of her great and everchanging mix of coastal flavoured furniture and smaller home items, gifts, artworks, etc.. At 39 Hitchcock ... 0409 542061 / 5254 1890
And next to the newsagency - 3 quite new businesses
- Beach Club Clothing - with a great range of casual Ladieswear - Lots of well known labels (Jag, Jump, beachclub), golfwear, etc. www.beachclubclothing.com Ph 52541807
- The Scandinavian Ice Cream Company - lots of flavours + take home packs as well. Try the gourmet Baileys & scorched almond... wow !!!! Ph 55254 3229 ... + DVD hire at the Ice Cream shop as well
- The Red Pigeon - A great looking new store with smart and original homewares, art and fashion accessories. Ph 5254 1840
PLUS......
1. Salon Sarasvati - ladies and mens - all in a marvellous comfortable setting - Phone 5254 3340 for appointments
2. Seababes - Clothing for mum & baby + plus a range of accessories - and you can hire baby gear too!
3. Moss Grotto - Great gift lines in the garden and home decoration area. Alex now runs this gift emporium while Danielle continues to do wedding flowers from home. Moss grotto is next to the pharmacy or Ph 5254 2277 P.S. Check out their window displays ... the best !!!
4. The Bakery, Cafe, Bar and Pizza is open and filling a gap in town. A big variety of breads, buns, pies and of course Pizzas to eat in or take away
5. Pink Sapphire - an exciting and different new clothing / jewellery/ accessory shop has opened too at !! Ph 03 5254 1848 (53 Hitchcock Ave)
6. Sommerhus - with great lines in ladies's clothing ... brands like Embody denim, Body, Juicy Bear t's, Louche Resort, Edgar & five under golf apparel. Phone 03 5254 2232 (2/53 Hitchcock Ave)
7. Beach Books - New owners Colin & Anne. What a selection of new and used titles at 2/46 Hitchcock Ave.. Just the thing to bring back to one our cosy cottages - think log fire/ day bed great garden outlook/ etc. Now with a great range of gift cards too!!
8. red dog 3 - clothing , accessories - a very smart looking range and a beautiful fit out - no wonder it always seems busy. (Phone 03 5254 3326 - shop 3/ 46 Hitchcock Ave - next to the bookshop)
9. DVDs now available at the Scandinavian Ice Cream shop 2 doors from the newsagency .... movies and lollies by the fireside after a walk on the beach - a winter treat at Barwon Heads.
So if you are bored with your local shopping plaza check out the shops of Barwon Heads and to follow get a tea or coffee in any one of our 14(!!) espresso locations
WEDDINGS in Barwon Heads
Couples are getting married at a great rate at Barwon Heads ... and speaking of great rates, we do great rates for wedding groups - + great service!! We can accommodate your whole family .... the family home (with 27 bedrooms) away from home ...have a BBQ together the next day!!
GOLF
Its huge at SeahavenVillage!!! The perfect venue for a golf retreat. We are at the epicentre of Bellarine Golf - within 5 minutes there are 3 fabulous courses (Barwon heads Golf Club & 13th Beach with 2 x 18 hole courses) + within 15 minutes there are lots more (The Sands, Curlewis & Point Lonsdale are favourites) ....... and our golfing guests enjoy the best accom in the west.... (Log fires+ RC air con heating) at great prices.... all a short walk to cafes, restaurants, the pub and everything else that Barwon Heads offers.
The Barwon Heads Golf Club has reopened its par 3/ 9 hole course after an 18 month refurb program. It's great - good value ($10 adults/ $5 children - u18) and a challenging and enjoyable alternative to the other local courses
WINE & WINERY NEWS
Pettavel winery/ Restaurant has done well lately in the awards arena for their restaurant and wines. The have again been given a chefs hat in the Age Good Food Guide . Only a 15 minute drive from SeahavenVillage access to Pettavel is via a direct and attractive country road route across the back of Geelong - easy!!
WINERY WALKABOUTS - you can put together your own wine and food tour - there are 2 new brochures + we can help you too! And we have info from wine tour companies as well.
The Bellarine Taste Trail is developing rapidly as the signature activity on the Bellarine.. check for packages incorporating tours , food and wine with Seahaven Village. We love to help. We know the area ... and we love the research!!
Great wineries, winery food, music offerings. Try Oakdene, Pettavel, Leura Park, Jack Rabbit , Bellarine Estate, Banks Road. Winery maps available at reception + we love to help with ideas !!!
Check www.winegeelong.com
MARKETS
- BARWON HEADS - Last Sat of the month - at the community hall ... and surrounds!!
- Ocean Grove - 1st Sun (Sept to May)
- Portarlington - Last Sun
- Pt Londsdale 2nd Sun
- Steampacket Market (Geelong Foreshore) !st Sun
- Belmont Common - every Sun
- Beckley Park (at the Nth entry to Geelong at Corio) - every Sat
- Queenscliffe - Last Sun (Sept to May)
- Drysdale - 3rd Sun (Oct to May)
Autumn/ Winter ....EVENINGS BY THE FIRESIDE - book now!!
A Bellarine chardonnay or pinot or one our local beers from the Barwon Heads IGA teamed with a delicious slow cooked curry (try the Rogan Josh!!!) from Peppercorn Foods - all in front of an atmospheric log fire at Seahaven Village - perfect for a Barwon Heads short break.
Note that all of our Cottages plus the Attic, Tower, Loft & Banksia king size suites have log fires + back up heating. All of the smaller suites (and the cottages) have great heating and are well insulated - you won't be cold at SeahavenVillage if its a chilly evening!!
