Final piece falls into place at Oxley Estate

A decade after first welcoming guests, Portarlington’s Oxley Estate has opened a purpose-built event centre.

For owners Pauline and Peter Phillipou, the addition is the final piece in what has been a steady transformation of the property.

The couple, who have backgrounds in hospitality and hotel management, made the move to the Bellarine to build something of their own.

“This is our passion,” Pauline said.

The event centre has been several years in the making. The build finally began in May last year and finished just before Christmas.

It brings together a broader expansion at the estate, including new accommodation offerings and a major extension of the estate’s vineyard, with close to 3,000 vines planted around the site.

“We made it more like a destination to come to celebrate and enjoy,” Pauline said. “You can just do it all at Oxley.”

The event space can accommodate up to 200 people and has been designed to host weddings, private gatherings and conferences, with the space set beneath three large chandeliers.

Up to 50 guests can stay onsite, with a mix of suites, lodges, a cottage and a three-bedroom house available, allowing events to extend across a full weekend.

Beyond the event centre, the property includes open recreational areas and farm animals such as alpacas, sheep, goats and donkeys.

The new space made its debut this week with a networking dinner hosted by the Portarlington Business Development Association.

“This sold-out event is a testament to the power of our growing business community in the Northern Bellarine,” association president Kerry Trewen said.

“We are so proud to celebrate Oxley Estate’s new chapter with over 100 of our members.”

Pauline said the opening marked an exciting milestone for the business.

“We feel very proud to be part of the Portarlington community and of what we’ve created,” she said. “We’ve put our heart and soul into it.”