Barwon Heads

Geography

Barwon Heads is situated on the mouth of the Barwon River below Lake Connewarre. Barwon Heads is surrounded by sea, the Barwon Heads River, the Barwon Heads Golf course, farmland and the Murtnaghurt Lagoon restricting its growth potential. This bodes well for the investment potential of Barwon Heads and ensures Barwon Heads will retain its natural beauty.

History

Barwon Heads was founded in 1870. Barwon Heads remained a fishing village until the 1920s and 1930s when its popularity as a holiday destination grew. In the 1930s, Barwon Heads had a significant fleet of fishing boats primarily targeting barracouta.

The Barwon Heads Bridge was built in 1927 and connected the township of Barwon Heads to Ocean Grove.

Whilst already well known as a charming seaside resort, the popular television series SeaChange was filmed in Barwon Heads in 1998 and dramatically increased Barwon Head’s popularity.

Nearby is the well known surf beach, Thirteen Beach, named because it is adjacent to the 13th hole of the Barwon Heads Golf course. Behind this in 2001, the Thirteenth Beach golf course and residential development was opened. Thirteenth Beach provides a combination of apartment style accommodation and larger one acre blocks for those wishing to build larger homes amidst the 36 hole championship golf course.

Demography (census 2011)

• Barwon Heads has a population of approximately 5500.
• In Barwon Heads there are 51% females and 49% males in the population.
• In Barwon Heads 26% of homes are rented.

Government Information

• Barwon Heads has the postcode 3227.
• Barwon Heads is in the state electorate of South Barwon.
• Barwon Heads is in the Federal Division of Corangamite.
• Barwon Heads is within the local council area of The City of Greater Geelong.

Beach

Surf beaches include Barwon Heads, nearby Thirteenth beach and Ocean Grove beach. The Barwon Heads estuary also has a lovely sandy bank and is popular for swimming and water play.

Shopping

The Barwon Heads main shopping strip is along Hitchcock Avenue. The avenue was named after Howard Hitchcock who is credited as the founder of The Great Ocean Road. It was originally conceived as a coast road running between Barwon Heads and Warrnambool.

Cafes and Restaurants

Barwon Heads has a fabulous selection of cafes and restaurants located in the main shopping strip, Hitchcock Avenue. There is also the Barwon Heads Hotel and The Heads restaurant, both establishments offering beautiful views over the Barwon Heads Estuary.

Schools

Barwon Heads has a state primary school in Golf Links Road.

Play Grounds

Barwon Heads has a fabulous playground and picnic area set along the Barwon Heads River on Flinders Parade.

Golf Club

Barwon Heads is home to 3 of the Top 50 public access courses – Thirteenth Beach (both the Creek and Beach courses) and the Barwon Heads Golf course with its National Trust and Heritage listed club house.

Surf Life Saving Club

Barwon Heads has a strong Surf Life Saving Club – The Barwon Heads Thirteenth Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

Nature Reserves

The Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary is situated a few minutes drive from Barwon Heads. For 25 years, orphaned and injured animals have been rehabilitated there.

Events

There is a Barwon Heads Market held each month on the last Saturday of the month from February to November and every Saturday through December and January. The Barwon Heads Market is located at the Community Hall on Hitchcock Avenue.

The Barwon Heads Festival of The Sea is held in March each year.