Our Australian golf road trip continues as we steer the Genesis south to one of Victoria’s great golfing corridors: the Bellarine Peninsula. Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, this region delivers a concentrated cluster of quality courses, a relaxed coastal atmosphere and the kind of unexpected discoveries that turn a simple round of golf into a memorable adventure.
We begin at 13th Beach, home to the Beach Course, Creek Course and a short course – a destination that blends modern clubhouse character with pure links golf. From the billiards room and historical archive to the rugged coastal fairways, it’s a venue that feels both welcoming and quietly iconic. Out on the course, every hole invites creativity, with firm, undulating greens and sharp bunkering that reward imagination as much as execution.
A short drive away sits Curlewis, a public-access gem reshaped by Mike Clayton. It’s fast, firm and beautifully presented – the kind of course that surprises first-time visitors with its conditioning and asks you to think your way around every shot.
Local flavour becomes part of the journey, whether it’s stumbling across quirky signposts, discovering The Whiskery and its private-barrel room, or enjoying that distinct Bellarine mix of golf, wine, and coastal charm.
But nothing prepares you for a course tucked next to an active military base. With checkpoints, approvals and a healthy dose of anticipation, it feels like entering a secret golfing world. Once inside, it proves to be a quality, character-filled layout that reinforces the region’s diversity.
By the end of the trip, it’s clear why the Bellarine Peninsula is more than just a collection of great courses – it’s a choose-your-own-adventure destination. Different wind each day, different landscapes, different styles of golf – all within minutes of each other. And as always, the journey is shaped not just by the scorecard but by the people, the places and the surprises along the way.
This series continues to celebrate every road, every turn, and every tee box that make Great Drives in Australian Golf exactly that – great.
