Barwon Coast

Barwon Coast Family

From borrowing toys and sharing nursery rhymes to exploring coastal wildlife, families around Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove have practical ways to play, learn and connect. Local and nearby services also offer support through the early years, adolescence, disability, parenting challenges and difficult family circumstances.

🌊 Coastal discovery and family activities

Barwon Coast Discovery Centre

Families can explore displays about local marine life, plants, animals, geology and shipwrecks at this Barwon Heads discovery space, run by Barwon Coast with Friends of The Lobster Pot. Volunteer opening is generally on Sundays from 1–4 pm, with extra school-holiday sessions; the centre closes during June and July. Entry is by gold coin donation, while groups can arrange an appointment.

Little Ocean Explorers

Kindergartens and early-years services in Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads can book this free Barwon Coast education program for children aged 3–5. Sessions take place at an early-years centre or beach location and introduce local coastal environments, wildlife and caring for the coast. Groups must have 12–25 children, with delivery available Monday to Thursday between 9 am and 4 pm.

Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre

Located nearby in Queenscliff, the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s education centre runs curriculum-based programs for early-childhood, school and tertiary groups, as well as specialised public programs. Families can look for activities on advertised school-holiday dates. The centre is not generally open to the public during school terms, so check the current program and book before travelling.

Koala Kids Club at Ocean Grove Holiday Park

Holiday-park guests aged 2–14 can join scheduled children’s activities and entertainment during participating periods. Dates and session times vary and should be confirmed with reception. A parent must supervise children aged five and under, making it important to check whether an activity suits your child before attending.

🧸 Play, stories and social connection

Ocean Grove Toy Library

This volunteer-run, not-for-profit library helps member families rotate toys without needing to buy everything children want to try. Its collection includes specialised toys, games and puzzles for children from about six months to six years. Membership serves Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Wallington, Marcus Hill, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff families.

Ocean Grove Library Baby Time

Babies and carers can share songs, rhymes, music and movement at this Geelong Regional Libraries session. Although designed for babies, other young children are welcome too. No booking is required, and every child must remain supervised by a responsible adult or carer.

Barwon Heads Library Toddler Time

Stories, music and movement give toddlers and their carers an easy way to enjoy books and participate together. The content is designed for children aged 2–3, while all children aged 0–5 are welcome. Sessions do not require bookings, but adult supervision is essential. The library also offers preschool story times and school-holiday activities.

Ocean Grove Youth Program

Young people aged 12–17 can take part in monthly City of Greater Geelong activities at Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House. Activities and costs differ between sessions, so families should check the current event information. The venue lists wheelchair access, accessible toilets, parking and first aid availability.

👶 Early parenting and child development

City of Greater Geelong Maternal and Child Health

Families with children from birth to school age can access free child health and development screening, infant-feeding help, parenting information, first-time parent groups and referrals where appropriate. The Barwon Heads service covers Barwon Heads, Breamlea and Ocean Grove, although families may attend any City maternal and child health centre. Appointments need to be arranged in advance.

City of Greater Geelong Feeding Support Service

Free one-to-one consultations support families whose babies are under four months and experiencing breastfeeding or formula-feeding challenges. Barwon Heads appointments are available on Thursdays. Access must be booked through a maternal and child health nurse or the service’s administration team.

City of Greater Geelong Sleep and Settling Program

Parents and carers across Greater Geelong can seek free, age-appropriate information and practical help with infant and toddler sleep and settling. The program also considers parent and carer wellbeing and offers community sessions covering topics such as transition to parenthood and toddler sleep. Ask a maternal and child health nurse or contact the program by email to request support.

Bellarine Community Health Child, Youth and Family Hub

The purpose-built hub at 5 Goodwell Drive, Ocean Grove, provides children’s speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and mental health services, including play therapy. Indoor and outdoor therapy areas are supported by sensory equipment and children’s furniture. Families seeking specific therapy groups, such as early communication, prep readiness or speech-sound programs, can ask about schedules, referrals and available government-subsidised or NDIS-funded pathways.

Barwon Early Parenting Centre

This regional Barwon Health service in North Geelong supports parents and carers of children aged 0–4 who need more specialised assistance. Residential stays, day stays, individual appointments, telehealth and groups may address sleep and settling, feeding difficulties, parent–child relationships, behaviour, parental exhaustion and adjustment to parenthood. Parents can self-refer or be referred by a GP, health professional or maternal and child health nurse; a Medicare card is not required.

🌱 Youth, rehabilitation and family support

Bellarine Community Health Youth Services

Young people, primarily aged 12–25, can access free, youth-friendly health and wellbeing support serving the Bellarine Peninsula through Drysdale and Ocean Grove. Available disciplines include mental health, nursing, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and podiatry, with NDIS support and connections to headspace Ocean Grove. Young people may be referred by family members, schools or professionals, or seek access themselves.

Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service at Barwon Health

This specialist regional service provides clinics, ambulatory rehabilitation and outreach for eligible children and young people across Geelong and Barwon South West. Supported conditions include acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy and related tone-management needs, spinal cord injury or illness, cancer, concussion and selected post-surgical rehabilitation. Families should review the eligibility and access information for the relevant clinic.

The Orange Door Barwon

Adults, children and young people experiencing or affected by family violence can contact this free Victorian Government access point without a referral. It also assists families needing extra support with children’s care and wellbeing. The Barwon service is based in Geelong and can discuss communication aids, interpreters and other accessibility needs. A dedicated Aboriginal workforce service for the Barwon area is operated by Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.

Cottage by the Sea

This Queenscliff children’s charity delivers tailored programs for children experiencing vulnerability. Its Take a Break, REEF and Mentor programs focus on areas including health and wellbeing, social interaction, learning experiences and mental health support. Participation is through the organisation’s programs rather than general family holiday bookings.

✅ Before you go

• Check dates and bookings: school-holiday programs, youth activities, groups and volunteer-run openings can change.
• Confirm age and eligibility: several services have firm age ranges, group sizes, referral pathways or health-related criteria.
• Ask about access: discuss mobility, sensory, communication or interpreter requirements directly with the provider before attending.
• Check supervision rules: library sessions, holiday activities and coastal programs may require a parent, carer or service educator to remain present.
• Confirm current costs: some activities are free or donation-based, while membership and session charges may apply elsewhere.

📌 Family-focused businesses, services and community groups working with children, young people, parents or carers around the Barwon Coast are warmly invited to add a listing or provide updated program and access details.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on barwon.vic.guide.