Beautiful stretches of pristine beaches, rugged cliff faces, and iconic red-topped lighthouses: a trip down Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is on the top of everyone’s travel plans. And along the way, a stop at the idyllic seaside towns of Eagle Point and Airey’s Inlet, featuring quaint cafes and boutique stores, is an absolute must.

Nestled along this jaw-dropping trip is Great Ocean Road Gin.  With a tasting room, gin garden, and ambient ocean views it’s the perfect place to whet your whistle.

Take a seat outside on one of the stylish chairs in the sun-drenched garden courtyard. The beautiful patio is flanked by potted plants and swaying trees, with splashes of bright colours perfect for a summer’s day.

Inside is where the magic happens, with gin tasting, bottle sales, gin cocktails and of course, G&T’s served at the beach-style bar. Indulge in a tasting of award-winning navy-strength, raspberry or guvvos gin, named after the nearby popular surf beach.

www.greatoceanroadgin.com.au

Nestled on the Bellarine Peninsula and overlooking Port Phillip Bay lies one of Victoria’s leading local wineries. Scotchman Hill winery and cellar door has been producing and serving award-winning wines for over thirty years amongst a blissful coastal backdrop.

Surrounded by verdant vineyards is the estate’s cottage-style cellar door, an atmospheric refurbished french provincial farmhouse open seven days of the week. Take a seat inside on the rustic furnishings, armchairs or barstools and taste the full range of the estate-grown, cool maritime climate wines.

www.scotchmanshill.com.au

After an hour and a half driving from Melbourne, both driver and passenger alike are bound to have rumbling tummies. When it’s time to make a stop-off and fill yourself with hearty food topped with fresh, local ingredients, The Captain of Aireys is a family favorite.

Located directly off the Great Ocean Road, the restaurant is surrounded by fresh sea air, sounds of the ocean and close to the beachfront and coastal reserve.

Rustic and homely inside, The Captain of Aireys serves up mouth-watering woodfire pizzas. Featuring an open kitchen, diners can watch the pizza come to life, prepared and cooked to perfection right in front of your eyes in the wood-burning pizza oven.

With all the Italian classics on offer, from delicious garlic pizza to the decadent prawn and chorizo, pizzas are best enjoyed with a glass of ice-cold beer or perfectly paired vino, either from the international menu or from a nearby coastal winery.

www.thecaptainofaireys.com.au

Located just 50 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, Jack Rabbit is easy to get to from Geelong, Ballarat or Melbourne. Situated along the coast, enjoy spectacular views of the ocean, dunes, and ports on your leisurely drive in.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard produces a wide variety of award-winning, sophisticated, cool climate wines. Choose your favourite from their array of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz, and many more. Wines at the vineyard are fermented using minimal intervention, ensuring the natural character of the varietals are not compromised. This results in flavoursome, fruity wines sure to please even the pickiest of wine lovers. The vineyard also has an emphasis on sustainability, using recycled matter as mulch, natural canopy protection, and minimal use of non-environment harming pesticides.

Pair your wine with a delicious dish or treat, served at either the Jack Rabbit Café or Restaurant. The café is open seven days a week for brunch or lunch, and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays during the warmer months, and serves a delicious array of light snacks and tasty pastries. The Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and serves stunning cuisine to indulge every palate.

If you’re planning a wedding, Jack Rabbit’s is the perfect place to make your vows between the vines. Walk down the aisle through a canopy of dappled shade and verdant green, and celebrate your love with friends and family in an awe-inspiring setting. With unrivalled views across the bay to Geelong, the You Yangs, and Melbourne, Jack Rabbit’s is the perfect canvas for your next function, outing, or date. Beautiful views and fantastic wines, this vineyard surely does have it all.

www.jackrabbitvineyard.com.au

For fabulous food, your favourite beer and ciders on tap, and aromatic, fair-trade coffee, all served in an innovative and unpretentious space, head to The Flying Brick Cider Company located on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula. The Estate and Cider House are located just a short drive from Geelong, or an hour a half drive from Melbourne along the jagged coastal terrain. Take in sights of the cityscape behind you, rolling open hills in front, and shimmering ocean beside you.

The Flying Brick Cider Company is part of the five-star winery, Leura Park Estate, with all ciders brewed onsite. Leura Park Estate spans across 150-acres of beautifully manicured vineyards and gardens, with acres dedicated to growing crispy, crunchy apples and fresh, succulent pears to brew the ciders. Ciders are brewed at Flying Brick with minimal interference, using 100% fresh fruit. Free from added sugars, colours, or concentrates, it’s a cider that not only tastes good, but that you can feel good about, too.

The Cider House is a gastropub fitted with rustic timbers and soaring ceilings, accentuated with quirky artwork and bright chairs. Famous for its generous share plates and hearty meals, everyone is sure to enjoy their food, no matter their age. Take a seat at one of the many outdoor tables, situated on the sunny deck and overlooking the vineyards, and indulge in a tasting paddle of icy-cold ciders, or a glass of award-winning Leura Park Estate wine.

For those who love live music, Friday Night Roots is the perfect excuse to enjoy some quality food and drinks with friends and family. Featuring talented local musicians and the occasional international band, the Cider House opens up to allow patrons to spill out onto the lawn to enjoy sun, music, and the sweet summer breeze.

www.flyingbrickciderco.com.au

Leura Park Estate is located just 15 minutes from Geelong, and an hour and a half from Melbourne, making it ideal for those out for a day trip or exploring the area.

Leura Park Estate wines are 100% estate grown and predominantly handpicked. The Estate focuses on the traditional, French method of wine production with a commitment to grape integrity, ensuring the wines boast a distinctive and delightful flavour. The estate spans across 150 acres, with 40 acres of premium varietals. The peninsula location enables the production of premium cool maritime wine, including Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay, Specialist Sauvignon Blanc and the vineyard’s acclaimed Pinot Gris.

Awarded the Best Cellar Door Experience in the Geelong Region for multiple years in a row, a quick stop here will make you see why. The Estate can be seen from afar, with its architecturally styled, Opera house influenced pod and recently constructed cellar door. The Cellar Door boasts a funky, rustic chic ambience, and serves up a variety of mouth-watering treats. Choose from stunning stone-baked pizzas, seasonal al fresco grazing platters, or an array of delectable cheeses.

The Estate hosts live music every Sunday, perfect for pairing your wine with some ambience. Kick back and relax under one of the blue sun umbrellas on the sun soaked deck, or head inside to curl up by one of the roaring open fireplaces in the cooler winter months.

For a wining and dining experience soaked in ambiance and alive with atmosphere, head to Leura Park Estate. Featuring award-winning wines and delightful cuisine, there’s every reason to spend a summer afternoon here on the Bellarine Peninsula.

www.leuraparkestate.com.au

Ocean Grove is home to beautiful beaches and endless coastlines but it’s also where you’ll find an impressive Victorian winery. The Oakdene Vineyards attract travellers from far and wide, with a unique blend of fine art, gourmet cuisine and boutique wine. The sprawling property spans across 230 acres of pristine farmlands with winding grape vines and flourishing olive groves stretching for as far as the eye can see. Match your favourite drop with a delicious meal at the award-winning on-site restaurant and even extend your stay in plush accommodations.

www.oakdene.com.au

Soar above one of Victoria’s most picturesque rainforests with Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. Strap in and get ready for an exhilarating 2½ hour zip-line tour through the trees or for a more sedate option, take in the sights from winding walkways suspended 30m in the air.

www.otwayfly.com