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. 

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.