The Portarlington Safe Harbour Foreshore is set for another bumper day on Sunday 26 October with the free annual Hooked on Bellarine Festival.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos said the festival highlights the peninsula as a fishing and boating mecca on the doorstep of Geelong and is an easy drive from Melbourne.
Hooked on Bellarine attracts both fishers and seafood lovers and includes pop-up stalls selling freshly cooked paella and locally made produce including the area’s famous blue mussels which are available to purchase.
There will also be free ‘come and try’ fishing clinics for kids as well as adults, complete with rods and bait provided, and a Fishing and Outdoor Swap Meet where you can donate, trade or pick up fishing and camping equipment.
Hosted by the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA), the Hooked on Bellarine Festival complements the Allan Labor Government’s $96 million investment package to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture.
Kicking off at 9am and finishing at 2pm, this year’s festival is on the same day as the monthly Portarlington Market, held by the Lions Club at WG Little Reserve, just a short stroll away.
Close to 5,000 people attend Hooked on Bellarine Festival each year and if visitors don’t feel like driving, they can take the ferry from Docklands to Portarlington and make a day of it.
Other festival attractions include:
- Kids activities from the VFA Education Team, fly fishing demonstrations, casting clinics, giveaways and selfies with VFA’s ‘Pinky the Snapper’ fish mascot
- Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating Network leaders sharing tips on how to improve catch rates for Bellarine species like King George whiting, calamari, snapper and gummy shark
- Seafood cooking and filleting demonstrations with recipes to try at home
- Anatomy displays and research information from the VFA Science team
- Fishing simulator, kayak and boat displays, pop-up tackle store, sustainability projects (Rig Recycle and Shuck Don’t Chuck shell recycling project) and local angling clubs to meet
- Learn about aquaculture and try samples of barramundi and abalone
- Aquatic ecology sessions from OzFish
- Food hub and live music by local artists to relax and enjoy waterfront views
To learn more and book a spot in a free fishing clinic, visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/hookedonbellarine
Quote attributable to Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos
“Hooked on Bellarine is the ultimate family day out for fishing enthusiasts with plenty of activities and displays.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant
“I’m delighted that Portarlington is hosting the Hooked on Bellarine Festival for 2025, bringing our community together, supporting the next generation of anglers, and showcasing our famous blue mussels to visitors and locals alike!”
