History

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A Long Tradition of Holiday Makers

When you holiday with us at the Barwon Heads Caravan Park you are joining a long tradition of holiday makers that have enjoyed the experience of camping in our stunning beachside location. We have a rich and interesting history, including being a place of major importance for the Wadawurrung people prior to settlement.

The Barwon Heads Park Trust was formed in 1889 and provided hot water to picnickers from Geelong. The first official recording of camping in the Barwon Heads Park dates from 1910. Tents were the only form of camping accommodation at the time. The popularity of camping increased in the 1930s and 1940s with 2000 campers recorded in the park in 1939. Caravans first arrived in the park in 1937, however it was not until the 1950s when caravans became more popular. By the 1960s the number of camp sites in the park had grown to 1100.

The Barwon Heads Caravan Park has played host to thousands of campers during its history and this proud tradition of welcoming travellers from near and far for a relaxing beachside holiday in the charming town of Barwon Heads continues today. 

1880s camping
1915. A celebration of Empire Day on the foreshore beach on the banks of the Barwon River Estuary in Barwon Heads. Note the soldiers in the front right of the picture.
1919. Passengers being punted across the Barwon River to Ocean Grove before the bridge was built.
1920s Boat Shed. A party at one of the many boat sheds which used to line the Barwon River beach in Barwon Heads.
A summers day on the Barwon River beach between the jetty and bridge in the 1960s.
Beachgoers in 1950s/60s enjoying the Barwon River beach, including a diving board!
1929/1930. View of the Barwon Heads foreshore showing the large number of boatsheds along the river bank, including #43 which was located north of the bridge. This boathouse is now located overlooking the beach within the Barwon Heads Caravan Park and available for a unique accommodation experience.
1930s camping in the Barwon Heads Caravan Park. Retro!
Kiosk in the Barwon Heads Caravan Park in the 1930s. Frank Ellis whose delivery van is shown in the picture was a local resident who owned various local businesses including the greengrocer. Mr Ellis was also a member of the foreshore committee. The Frank Ellis Reserve located on the Barwon River foreshore adjacent to the Barwon Heads Caravan Park is named for Mr Ellis.
Camping in the Barwn Heads Caravan Park circa 1920s/1930s. These sites were located along the side of road to the Barwon Bluff which was the beginning of the Great Ocean Road in the 1920s.
1930s. A view of the Barwon Heads Caravan Park taken from the Barwon Heads Bluff looking towards Barwon Heads. Camping was set up on the oval at this time.
1949 aerial view over the Barwon Heads Caravan Park. This photo features the fishermen’s co-op on the jetty (later to be developed into the ‘At The Heads’ Restaurant). The Lobster Pot had been relocated by this stage to the location where it is found today. The Lobster Pot building was once used by the army in World War Two and later as the Barwon Heads School Room.
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From the late 1990s, the ABC’s SeaChange series, filmed largely in Barwon Heads, brought a fresh influx of visitors seeking the show’s charm, and while the final episode was screened in late 2000, there’s still plenty of Pearl Bay in Barwon Heads.

The wooden bridge connecting Barwon Heads to Ocean Grove remains over the sparkling Barwon River. Part of Diver Dan’s boat shed sits at the back of the ‘At The Heads’ restaurant and the original Laura’s Cottage is situated on the water’s edge at the Barwon Heads Caravan Park. Fans of the show can book the cottage or you can pick up a ‘SeaChange’ walking guide from the Caravan Park office.  

Photos with thanks to the Martin Klabbers collection and State Library of Victoria.

Create your own 'SeaChange' Memories

Book Now to create your own 'SeaChange' memories and stay in the beautifully restored Laura’s Cottage, the original 'SeaChange' cottage or one of our modern replicas.
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