december-2011

MAIN PHOTO AND FISHERMEN: NSW TOURISM SHEEP PHOTO: CRAIG TANSLEY
TAKE ME THERE
BARWON HEADS
GOLF CLUB
Golf Links Rd,
Barwon Heads,
tel: +61 (3) 5255 6262
13TH BEACH
Barwon Heads Rd,
Barwon Heads,
tel: +61 (3) 5254 2922
SHELLY’S ON THE BEACH
12 Shelly Beach Rd,
tel: +61 (2) 6686 9844
BALLINA KAYAK TOURS
Tel: +61 (2) 6685 3722
BELLARINE PENINSULA,
VICTORIA
Located an hour from Melbourne’s
CBD and just 20 minutes’ drive
from Avalon airport, the Bellarine
Peninsula manages to fl y under
the radar of most Australian
holiday-makers. There’s superb
swimming and surfi ng beaches
within the calmer waters of Port
Phillip Bay, historic villages never
more than 10km apart, cycling
trails, Sunday markets, alpaca and
deer farms, sailing, swimming
with dolphins and a range of
cheap accommodation options.
It’s also the country’s newest
gourmet destination with awardwinning
wineries, cafés and
restaurants. If you’re a golfi ng
family, tee off at Barwon Heads
Golf Club and 13th Beach.
EAST BALLINA,
NEW SOUTH WALES
While Ballina itself has never scaled the
lofty tourist heights of close neighbour
Byron Bay, the beachside hamlet of East
Ballina off ers uncrowded, inexpensive
holiday options beside one of the prettiest
stretches of coastline in Australia. It’s the
kind of sleepy holiday spot you didn’t think
existed any more: each morning the same
pod of dolphins jumps through the waves,
locals chat to you on early morning walks,
and Shelly’s On The Beach — nestled beside
the pandanus trees by the beach — has as
stunning a view as anything you’ll fi nd in
Byron. There’s also kayaking and sailing
nearby on the Ballina River, while Ballina
itself off ers shopping, restaurants and cafés.
Just fi ve minutes’ drive north, pristine,
empty beaches stretch all the way to Lennox
Head, while the world of Byron Bay is just a
further 20 minutes away.
FROM LEFT CLOCKWISE: Cycle
along the beautiful coastline of
East Ballina; soak up rural life
on Bellarine Peninsula; try
fi shing at East Ballina
IN FOCUS //
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