The small seaside town of Anglesea is quite often overlooked by visitors touring The Great Ocean Road. But, with some fun places to stay, great beaches and activities it really is a wonderful place for a weekend away. Being only 1.5 hours from Melbourne also makes for an easy weekend away.
What you can find in this post
Where to Stay in Anglesea
Anglesea has a range of family accommodation options to suit everyone. From campsites to luxury holiday houses you will definitely find a place to stay that fits your family’s needs.
Do plan to book early if visiting in peak Summer season as apartments and caravan parks fill up year to year with returning families.
Anglesea Big4 Holiday Park
The glamping Bell Tents
We stayed in one of the Big4 Safari Tents. You can read our review here. We loved the Safari tents and this holiday park is small but awesome for families.
Great Ocean Road Resort
Opposite the Anglesea River, 5 min’s from the beach the Great Ocean Road Resort offers 1-2 bedroom apartments and private rooms. All are air-conditioned and have cooking facilities.
Onsite there is a restaurant, indoor pool and tennis court.
For the best prices at the Great Ocean Road Resort and to make a booking click here.
Anglesea Backpackers
Youth Hostel and backpacker accommodation is gaining popularity amongst families.
Here at the backpackers they have 6-bed dorms and family rooms. With all the usual facilities including wifi, kitchen and lounge.
For the best prices at the Anglesea Backpackers and to make a booking click here.
Check out all the other options at the best prices here –
Where to Eat in Anglesea
We haven’t eaten at all the places in Anglesea but have heard from regular local holidaymakers that these are the pick of the bunch.
Croissants and jam are always a popular breakfast/brunch choice for us
Maid’s Pantry at Anglesea General Store
Here you will find a cozy indoor space and a large outdoor eating area with plenty of space to play. There are simple toys to keep the kids entertained until breakfast.
Maid’s Pantry
119 Great Ocean Road Anglesea, Vic 3230
Cafe at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie
Delicious ice cream!
Arrive for the chocolate tasting and stay for a meal. We had ice cream and chocolate but the menu is quite extensive.
There is a good selection of pizza’s, burgers, steak sandwich, salads and juices.
There are many dessert options, of course, made using chocolate and ice cream. They looked massive!
The owners have really thought about the layout with a fully fenced outdoor space where the kids can run off their sugar rush before getting back into the car.
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery
1200 Great Ocean Road Corner Elkington Road, Bellbrae
9am – 5 pm daily
Jums Chicken
We haven’t eaten here but I have heard that this is the place to go. You don’t have fish and chips in Anglesea. You have chicken and chips!
Jums Chicken
77 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea, Vic
The Anglesea Hotel
The Anglesea pub is located in the middle of town. There is a bar, restaurant, a kids play area and a beer garden.
1 Murch Crescent, Anglesea, Victoria
Four Kings Coffee and Food
We don’t drink coffee but apparently, the coffee is amazing here. Open for breakfast and brunch.
143a Great Ocean Road Anglesea, Victoria 3230
Captain Moonlight
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club
100 Great Ocean Road Anglesea, Victoria 3230
Willows Tea House
A little further down the road at the Airey’s Inlet Lighthouse (hello Round the Twist fans!!!!).
We had a lovely lunch here with some friends. The bacon and egg rolls were absolutely the highlight of brunch! Homemade scones, brownies, milkshakes and coffees were also devoured.
7 Federal Street Aireys Inlet Victoria 3231.
Things to See & Do in Anglesea
The little town of Anglesea has plenty to keep the family entertained whatever the weather. From beaches, coastal walks, wildlife and playgrounds.
Visit Bellbrae Estate
Bellbrae Estate, the only vineyard on the actual Great Ocean Road, is five minutes from the famous Bells Beach and the perfect place to sample some wines in a relaxed environment. Plenty of space for the kids to run around also – winner!
520 Great Ocean Rd, Bellbrae, VIC 3228
Anglesea Mountain Bike Trails
Olive loved her introduction to Mountain Biking (this was taken at the You Yangs)
Recently undergone some upgrades, the Anglesea Mountain Bike Trails is suitable for riders of all ages and levels of ability.
The Anglesea Bike Park is located, just 1 kilometre from the town centre at 80 Camp Rd and car parking is available on site.
Visit the beach
Awesome rock formations to explore
Anglesea has some of the best beaches along the Great Ocean Road. When it’s warm, swim and play at Main Beach or Point Roadknight. In the cooler months Soapy Rocks is ideal for rock pooling, dog running or beach walks. The coastline along the Great Ocean Road is amazing. Kangaroo Island also has amazing coastline!
Point Roadknight beach – A sheltered beach at Point Roadknight a favourite for young families.
Anglesea Main Beach – Main beaches shallow waves are your ideal learn to surf spot.
Soapy Rocks – Soapy Rocks is the back beach at Anglesea between the Anglesea Surf Club and Point Roadknight Beach. We spent a fantastic morning exploring the rocks along the coast. I am not actually sure if we were indeed at ‘Soapy Rocks’ or not. We were at the point. It was fabulous and well worth a visit to explore.
Explore the River
A nice and easy activity is to take a walk along the Anglesea River. There are many water birds to spot and at one end there is a great little playground to hang out in for a while (with toilet facilities).
Further, in the other direction, there are little bridges that cross the river which makes for a fun adventure. There are plenty of opportunities to thrown stones into the water.
If you are feeling more adventurous and the weather is kind you could hire a paddleboat or canoe and explore the area from the water.
Anglesea Paddle Boats & Canoe Hire
Anglesea River next to the Anglesea Bridge
Meet the local kangaroos
Kangaroos!!
There are a number of places around Victoria where you can get up close to wild kangaroos. Halls Gap is one of those places. Anglesea is another. We had about 6 visit us at the Big4 at dusk.
The Anglesea Golf Club actually offers a golf buggy tour to see the kangaroos.
These tours are run by volunteers and even though they say a ‘chance’ to see a kangaroo it is pretty much guaranteed! There are around 300 Eastern Grey Kangaroos living around the golf course.
You can book directly online here.
Playground Fun
Play on a Pirate Ship
Coogoorah Park adventure playground is a great place for a picnic lunch or barbecue. You can walk there from town along the river or drive (there is a small carpark).
The wooden ship is inspired by the ‘Inverlochy’, wrecked off the coast in 1902.
Other playgrounds
“Whale Playground” in Anglesea
The ‘whalebone’ playground (as we call it) is a short walk along the river towards the beach. This playground is only small but the kids had a ball.
There are also a couple of smaller playgrounds closer to town.
Take a hike along the Surf Coast
You definitely don’t need to undertake the whole of the surf coast to get a sense of how wonderful this coastline truly is. You are able to hike sections of the Surf Coast Walk at your own pace. The 44km walk connects Torquay to Aireys Inlet but you don’t need to tackle it all at once.
Sections 6, 7 and 8 are all accessible from Anglesea and take in some great views. Click here for an interactive map.
Jumping fun
I am glad the kids didn’t see the signs to Jumpz Anglesea!!! They never want to leave trampoline places. The kids can bounce themselves silly if the weather is wet (or not) at Jumpz Anglesea.
Jumpz Anglesea
Located within Great Ocean Road Resort
105 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea VIC 3230
Eat Chocolate
Some of the delicious chocolate!
If you are interested in more than just eating chocolate then a visit to the Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery should be on the cards. You can learn how chocolate is made, watch the chocolate makers at work and taste lots of samples.
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery
1200 Great Ocean Road Corner Elkington Road, Bellbrae
Visit a working Lighthouse
You may recognise the lighthouses from the classic children’s TV series ‘Round the Twist’. This lighthouse is still in use today.
Unfortunately, tours were booked when we visited and we didn’t think to book in advance.
Split Point Lighthouse
Federal Street
Aireys Inlet Victoria 3231
(Turn left at Inlet Cres follow ‘Lighthouse Tours’ Signs)
30 min guided tours run daily at 11am, 12 noon, 1pm and 2pm
Children must be over the age of 5 to join the tour
Appropriate footwear must be worn.
Adults $14
Concession or Senior $10
Child $8 (aged 5 – 16 years)
Family $40*
Getting to Anglesea
Anglesea is an easy 1.5hr drive from Melbourne. It’s close enough for a day trip but definitely warrants staying overnight. There are regular bus services from Geelong (via Torquay), which has connections to Melbourne via train. I drove down during the day on a Friday (Ned had a curriculum day) and Ross caught the train to Waurn Ponds after work and I collected him from there (while the kids watched a movie with friends).
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