Barwon Coast Caravan Parks Give Back to the Bellarine Coast

Looking for your next Victorian nature fix? These three parks give back to the Bellarine Peninsula by caring for a 22km stretch of coastline as a non-profit.

Sometimes the easiest way to help out is just choosing where you spend your hard-earned dollarydoos. It’s a simple premise really – create an organisation that’s designed from the ground up to give back and it does so every day, not just when they’re running a marketing campaign.

That’s why Barwon Coast caught my eye. The organisation is a non-profit Committee of Management that runs three caravan parks in the area and the seasonal Riverside Campground, only 90 minutes from Melbourne. They put the cash directly into local conservation efforts and facilities, while supporting 272 local jobs.

Working alongside Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Barwon Coast plants 10,000 trees each year in the dune system, and has reduced single use plastic in the parks by 80%. Projects include biodiversity strategies, a foreshore master plan, and assessing risks to the dune system.

Visiting Barwon Coast helps protect 22km of pristine coastline

Who Dares, Winters

Barwon Coast sees 500,000 visitors each year, but most of them come in the summer months. It’s the classic coastal holiday town story of uneven visits, which makes it hard for local businesses to keep things running smoothly.

‘The Bellarine Peninsula really comes to life in winter, but the majority of visitors don’t get to see it this way’, says Pru Farrer, Manager of Marketing and Engagement at Barwon Coast. 

‘There’s so much to see and do down here – beaches, walks, spas, wineries, amazing local businesses, and the fact that everything is quiet in winter makes all of those things better.’

She’s quick to point out some benefits, like dogs and campfires being allowed all winter, empty surf line ups, and a ‘pay for two nights, stay for three’ policy running all winter.

What are the parks?

There are three caravan parks run by Barwon Coast: Barwon Heads, Breamlea, and Riverview. Options range from historic boat houses to cabins and powered campsites with the added benefit of campfires permitted in winter.

Photos thanks to Barwon Coast