Cabin accommodation upgrades coming to Barwon Heads, Portarlington

Barwon Coast chief executive Gareth Smith, Bellarine MP Alison Marchant, and Barwon Coast Committee of Management chair Sandy Gatehouse. Photo: SUPPLIED

NEW accommodation options will be delivered in Barwon Heads and Portarlington, after Barwon Coast and Bellarine Bayside were last week named among the recipients of the Victorian government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

Barwon Coast will use the funds to construct new cabins, including an accessible cabin, at the Barwon Heads Caravan Park.

Acting chief executive Paul Gangell said Barwon Coast was “incredibly grateful” to receive the funding support which, together with a co-contribution from the organisation, will deliver new accommodation at the caravan park.

“It’s a fantastic boost for the visitor experience and will encourage more people to explore our beautiful region, while also supporting our broader purpose.

“Revenue from these cabins will be reinvested directly into caring for our coastal environment and improving public spaces for the community.”

For Bellarine Bayside, the funds will go toward the organisation’s Portarlington Holiday Park Cabin replacement initiative, which will see the site’s outdated cabins replaced with new three-bedroom cabins and one fully accessible two-bedroom cabin.

Bellarine Bayside chair Melanie Rogers said the organisation was thrilled to receive the grant.

“This funding will enable us to provide modern, inclusive accommodation options to welcome a diverse range of visitors to the northern Bellarine Peninsula.

“Together with rightsholders, we look forward to advancing through the planning stages of this exciting project.”

The state government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund aims to deliver new and innovative tourism infrastructure projects designed to attract more visitors to regional Victoria, as well as increase the length of their stay.

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant congratulated both recipients.

“The Bellarine is an amazing place to live and visit,” she said.

“By supporting our local tourism businesses, this funding will allow more people to visit and discover all the Bellarine Peninsula has to offer.”