Regional Make a Splash
Make a Splash When the weather turns balmy, the best way to cool off is by taking time out near the water.
The Beach House
Polperro Dolphin Swims
100
Smooth Swimming
Fun with Flipper
If you’re not comfortable swimming in the open ocean, make your way to Geelong’s Eastern Beach, where there’s an incredible set-up originally created in the 1930s. A shallow kids’ pool, with a fountain at its centre, sits on the edge of the promenade. Behind it is a huge, enclosed sea bath that’s surrounded by a boardwalk – it even has a diving platform. When you’ve swum up a storm, head to the old bathing pavilion, which has been transformed into a chic eatery called The Beach House. + thebeachhousegeelong.com.au
Imagine this… you slip into the water, mask and snorkel in place, kick out from the boat and, suddenly, there are dolphins all around you. That’s what you’ll get on a day tour with Polperro Dolphin Swims, which operates from the pier at Sorrento. During the two hours you’re on board, you’ll cruise the magnificent Mornington Peninsula shoreline then pull on a wetsuit to watch bottlenose dolphins and Australian fur seals frolic beneath the surface. + polperro.com.au
Hang Ten Time
Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is known for its rocky mountain ranges, but the region is also home to a number of spectacular lakes, where fishing, canoeing, sailing and waterskiing are popular. If you’re keen to explore one of them, Absolute Outdoors offers half-day stand-up paddle boarding tours. Your guide will point out interesting landmarks and local wildlife – you’ll likely spot the resident osprey soaring overhead – and, if it gets a little hot on the board, you can jump in for a swim. + absoluteoutdoors.com.au
If you’ve always dreamed about riding a wave, now is the time to learn to surf. There are a number of options along the coastline, so adding some lessons to your road-trip itinerary isn’t difficult. Whether you’re six or 60, the legends at Torquay Surf will have you riding a board in a region famous for its epic breaks. During school holidays, their Grom Squad serves up lessons for young ’uns in the morning then lets them practice in the afternoon. If you’re heading to Phillip Island, check out the offering at Island Surfboards. + torquaysurf.com.au + islandsurfboards.com.au
Life on a Lake
