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Contact Barwon Coast at the following
5 October 2026
Our 2025-26 Annual Report is now available online.
29 September 2026
An update on construction activities at Barwon Heads Caravan Park
17 September 2026
Barwon Heads – Barwon River Bar Depths Compromised
16 September 2026
We continue to closely monitor conditions at the Surf Bridge North and Surf Bridge Southbeach access tracks at RAAFs Beach.
14 September 2026
Barwon Coast is recruiting at least 15 Casual Cleaning Officers to join our caravan park and campground team for the busy 2026-27 peak season.
Published on 30 November 2022

The countdown to Summer in Barwon Heads is underway, with Wonderland Spiegeltent and it’s arts and entertainment playground, filled with sparkling lights, a Nostalgic Ferris Wheel overlooking the Barwon River, a Sunset Bar to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere, sunsets over Barwon Heads and live tunes in the garden bar. From Saturday 17th December to Sunday 29th January the beautiful opulent pop up venue, a favourite to the region, with stained-glass windows, lush velvets aplenty, all wooden, all mirrored to enjoy and gasp at world class cabaret, burlesque with laughs a plenty while sipping champagne and cold beer.
Shimmy this way Campers and Holiday fun in the sun makers! Sip, savour and celebrate at Wonderland Spiegeltent Festival Hub, where the drinks are cold, the Donuts are sweet, the popcorn is Poppin, the lights are raunchy and the entertainment is smoking!
The Wonderland Spiegeltent will feature everything from astounding circus, magical stories of Neverland and the boy who never grew up, luscious burlesque, big comedy names and a Champagne fuelled adult cabaret Popcorn Underground with special events over 5 packed weeks.
Headlining the family program is Circus Wonderland – A Neverland Adventure, a new production with an all-star cast, capturing the magic of Neverland and the joy of this classic tale JM BARRY Tale PETER PAN , reimagined by the team behind Circus Wonderland – A Mermaid’s Tale and Circus Wonderland – Circa 1920.
For the adults, Wonderland’s hit cabaret show, Popcorn Underground is ready to delight audiences with the creme de la creme of the cabaret world. Joining us for this riotous variety show includes Tash York, Adam Malone and Jaimi Luhrmann!
Music lovers get ready for the biggest line up of musicians we’ve brought to Barwon Heads! Get ready to rock with Mark Seymour & The Undertow, INXSIVE, Absolutely 80s: UK Hits Tour, Vaudeville Smash, The Bash Big Band, Ella Hooper – Old News Tour and Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie’s Skyhooks Show!
For the laughs we have the Comedy Christmas Gala and the one and only Akmal.
Outside in our gorgeous garden bar enjoy, live music, performances and the breathtaking views of the Barwon River! Enjoy tasty treats of popcorn, fairly floss, donuts, twisted chip on a stick and more!
Be sure to enjoy dinner and lunch at the wonderful Barwon Heads Restaurants, most only a short walk from the venue!
Now in its sixth year as part of one of Australia’s iconic holiday locations, the Wonderland Spiegeltent transports audiences to the Golden Age of travelling entertainment and mesmerizes guests with the live spectacle of world class talent performing up close and personal in lushly intimate setting.
CIRCUS WONDERLAND – A NEVERLAND ADVENTURE
Monday 26th December 2022 – Sunday 29th January 2023 – Various Dates and Times
Be amazed and captivated as you are immersed in the magic of Neverland! Audiences young and the young at heart will be all smiles enjoying the spell-binding magic of Circus Wonderland. Fun for the whole family as the adventures of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and the Pirates come to life with a fun-filled enchanting circus adventure for the whole family.
A fantasy wonderland of family entertainment you will never forget! Starring an amazing world class cast of acrobatic characters with astounding feats and hilarious antics to keep you enthralled and in wonder! Tik Tok, a magical wonderland awaits.
COMEDY CHRISTMAS GALA
Saturday 17th December 2022 – 7:30pm
Join us for a Comedy Gala with some of Australia’s favourite Comedy legends this December!
Opening in Barwon Heads this December the Wonderland Spiegeltent will host a great line up of Comedians to kick off our Summer season! Full line up announced soon!
BOB ‘BONGO’ STARKIE’S SKYHOOKS SHOW
Friday 23rd December 2022 – 8:00pm
Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie’s Skyhooks Show with Laura Davidson is coming to Barwon Heads! The perfect event to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with your family and friends! Bob ’Bongo’ Starkie, original guitarist with the band, has assembled a red hot band to perform their classic songs in a personal celebration of the music of Skyhooks.
SKYHOOKS helped change the face of rock’n’roll in the 1970s with a string of Number One and Top 10 singles to their credit, as well as two of Australia’s biggest selling albums, ‘Living in the 70s’, and ‘Ego is Not A Dirty Word’.
POPCORN UNDERGROUND
Thursday 5th – Sunday 15th January 2023 – Various Dates and Times
A night of joyously entertaining, cabaret, adult carnival, burlesque, astounding circus and extraordinary artists. A riotous variety show like you’ve never seen before.
Combining death defying thrilling acts and hilarious moments that will shock and delight. The creme de la creme of the cabaret world. A magical experience! A night of joyously entertaining, cabaret, adult carnival, burlesque, magic, astounding circus and extraordinary artists. A riotous variety show like you’ve never seen before. Combining death defying thrilling acts and hilarious moments that will shock and delight. The creme de la creme of the cabaret world. A magical experience!
MARK SEYMOUR & The Undertow
Saturday 7th January 2023 – 8:30pm
Mark Seymour formed Hunters and Collectors in 1980, with a bunch of Uni friends. The band became famous for its rhythmic power and very quickly became touted as the “next big thing”. The Album “Human Frailty“ was recorded in Melbourne in 1985.
By 1998, Mark felt that he had done all that he could as the front man of Hunters and Collectors. After eighteen years of touring with what became one of Australia’s most successful and deeply loved rock bands, he found himself alone on stage with just an acoustic guitar. As a solo artist, Mark continues to search for the emotional truth in a song. Mark Seymour’s strength as a performer remains undiminished despite the ever-present shadow of the band he used to be in.
INXSIVE
Sunday 8th January 2023 – 8:00pm
INXSIVE brilliantly capture the sound and style of Aussie Rock legends INXS in their high energy, crowd engaging concerts.
Their full production sound combined with energetic audience engaging performances make INXSIVE Australia’s leading INXS tribute show and an excellent live entertainment option for any venue or event. Their repertoire encompasses all the smash hits from the impressive INXS back catalogue, and a performance by INXSIVE needs to be seen to be believed. They regularly receive rave reviews from their audiences on how closely they capture the sound and style of INXS.
ABSOLUTELY 80s: UK HITS TOUR
Saturday 14th January 2023 – 8:00pm
London’s calling as The Absolutely 80s – UK Hits Tour heads out on the road, paying tribute to New Wave & the New Romantic sound of the 80s from England, Ireland & Scotland.
Without doubt, the 80s was one of the most memorable and massive decades of music. The Absolutely 80s UK Hits Tour is the ultimate celebration of massive hits of the United Kingdom from the 80s. It’s a showstopping spectacle of mega proportions. Featuring some of Australia’s favourite 80s pop icons: Uncanny X Men’s Brian Mannix, Kids in the Kitchen’s Scott Carne & Boom Crash Opera’s Dale Ryder. The UK Hits Tour pays tribute to the best of British New Wave & New Romantic acts of the 80s, with smash hits also included.
THE BASH BIG BAND
Friday 20th January – 8.30pm
It’s great to be to able to pull together a group of talented local musicians from Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Geelong and the coastal towns of southern Victoria into one big vibrant team that delivers a great mix of traditional Australian rock, R&B, Funk and Blues.
The Bash Big Band produces a great night of entertainment, taking the audience back to the sounds that incorporate James Brown, Joe Cocker. Stevie Wonder, The Angels and AC/DC and other artists from the 70’s & 80’s.
Come and join us for a night of enjoyment and unfettered fun in the beautiful Wonderland Spiegeltent.
VAUDEVILLE SMASH
Saturday 21st January – 8.30pm
Made up of three brothers and two mates, no other Australian band sounds like them. An explosion of funk, flute, sax, synth and groove, the dance floor is packed at a Vaudeville Smash gig, the crowd goes wild. In case you’re wondering, they took their name from an Italian children’s karaoke machine that was around in the late ’80s.
“I’ll be damned if Vaudeville Smash aren’t the most mind-blowingly refreshing live act to emerge from Melbourne since God knows when.” – Beat Magazine
AKMAL
Friday 27th January 2023 – 8:30pm
Akmal is one of the funniest comedians in the world. The fact that he has written this blurb does not take away from his genius.
He will be doing a best of show, bringing comedic gold selected from the previous 25 years. Some people have suggested that he’s doing this because he is lazy and could not be bothered writing a new show. These people are ignorant and most likely lesser comedians who are jealous of his talent and good looks. Happy ending guaranteed (for an extra twenty bucks). *No kids, no real estate agents, no refunds.
“Random, improvised and hilarious…” Crickey Publications
“No one wanted the show to stop…he seemed to own the stage.” Sydney Morning Herald
ELLA HOOPER
Saturday 28th January 2023 – 7:00pm
Ella Hooper was still a teenager when she burst onto the Australian music scene – Unearthed by Triple J when she was just 13, Ella scored her first number one with the single ‘Mascara’ on her 17th birthday. And at 18, she became the first woman to be awarded APRA’s Songwriter of the Year.
After releasing three hit albums with Killing Heidi, Ella embarked on a solo career. Her forthcoming album, Small Town Temple – written in her hometown of Violet Town – has been hailed as a new beginning, showcasing Ella’s deeply personal songwriting. After a multitude of gold and platinum records and four ARIA Awards, Ella remains committed to her craft.
As she sings on Small Town Temple: “Still strong, still on a mission.”
WONDERLAND SPIEGELTENT FESTIVAL HUB LAHEY SQUARE PARK NEXT TO THE OCEAN GROVE BRIDGE, BARWON HEADS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR
TO BUY TICKETS HEAD TO WWW.WONDERLANDSPIEGELTENT.COM.AU
ABOUT WONDERLAND ENTERTAINMENT
Wonderland Entertainment is the touring company popping up in locations across Australia, from Melbourne Sydney, Barwon Heads, Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Townsville and Port Douglas and Adelaide Fringe Festival. Touring the nostalgic Wonderland Spiegeltent welcomes guests from all over the world, both onstage and off, as the good times flow on long after sundown.
You can follow the festival’s updates and tag images on Instagram @wonderland_spiegeltent or on Facebook @wonderlandspiegeltent
For all Media & Press Inquiries for Wonderland Entertainment, please contact:
Melissa Head
Wonderland Spiegeltent Director Wonderland Spiegeltent Festival Hub
melissa@wonderlandspiegeltent.com.au
Mobile: 0419 571 704
An update on construction activities at Barwon Heads Caravan Park
We continue to closely monitor conditions at the Surf Bridge North and Surf Bridge Southbeach access tracks at RAAFs Beach.
Our 2025–26 Annual Report is out!
It’s a snapshot of a busy year caring for the 22 kilometres of coastal Crown land we manage and the work happening every day to protect, maintain and plan for these special places.
Inside, discover:
🌊 The technical work, planning and assessments completed over the year that are helping shape the future of our coast
🌊 Projects and improvements delivered across the coast
🌊 how we work with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, community groups and volunteers
🌊 The caravan parks and camping grounds that help fund our work
Revenue generated through @barwoncoastcaravanparks is reinvested into caring for the coast, supporting the people, projects, facilities and conservation work undertaken by our dedicated team.
Take a look back at 2025–26 and learn more about the work happening across our coast.
👉 Read the Annual Report on our website (link in bio)
We have been advised by @barwonwater to advise all regular users to avoid coming into contact with the water in the Barwon River through Geelong until further notice.
@barwonwater have experienced sewer spills today that are expected to have compromised the quality of the water.
The results of water quality testing will determine when they can provide further advice that the water is safe for use.
Please see latest updates here https://www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/.../alerts-and-updates... We will continue to keep you updated as further information becomes available
Your summer job could look a little different this year. 🌊
We’re looking for Casual Cleaning Officers to work across our caravan parks and campground over the busy summer season.
Think flexible casual work, great coastal locations and the chance for a walk or quick dip at the beach when your shift is done.
No extensive cleaning experience? Don’t rule yourself out – training is available for the right people.
Come and meet us:
📅 Friday 9 October
⏰ 10 am–12 pm
📍 Education Room, Barwon Heads
Find out more (including a map to the Education Room!) 👉 https://barwoncoast.com.au/SummerCleaningCasuals2026
Some mixed news from our local Hooded Plovers 🐦
Unfortunately, the nests at 13th Beach and Blue Rocks have both failed. It appears the nest at Signpost, 13th Beach, hatched, but sadly the chicks did not survive. We are unsure of the cause - these little birds have lots of introduced and natural threats to deal with.
In more hopeful news, we’re seeing early signs of nesting activity at four locations across our coast – 13th Beach, Bancoora, Breamlea and Ocean Grove. 🤞
Please help give our hopeful Hooded Plover parents the best chance of success:
💙 Give birds, nests and chicks plenty of space
💙 Keep dogs on-lead and away from nesting areas
💙 Respect temporary fencing, closures and signage
💙 Walk close to the waterline and away from the dunes
Wish them luck – and please follow the signs and help give these little beach-nesting birds the space they need.
As always, a huge thank you to the Friends of the Hooded Plover Bellarine for their incredible work identifying and monitoring Hooded Plovers along our coast. 💛
🐚 Don’t forget – the Barwon Coast Discovery Centre is open extra days during the school holidays!
They’re open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1–4pm, so if you’ve got a little nature lover in the family, bring them along to check out some seriously cool stuff from our coast – from marine creatures and wildlife to geology, shipwrecks and local history. 🌊🔎
A big thank you to our friends at Friends of the Lobster Pot for giving visitors and our community even more opportunities to learn, explore and discover this special part of the coast. 💙
📍 Jetty Road, Barwon Heads
⏰ 1–4pm
💙 Free entry – all ages welcome
Find out more: https://barwoncoast.com.au/explore/barwon-coast-discovery-centre/
🌊 One last big day of the Barwon Heads Nature Festival!
Friday 25 September brings two great opportunities to celebrate – and care for – our local environment.
🧤 Barwon Heads Great Spring Clean Up - 10.00 am–12.00 pm, Lahey Square
Join the community and lend a hand to help keep Barwon Heads and our beautiful coastal environment looking its best.
🎬 Turning the Tide short film festival - 7.00–9.00 pm, Barwon Heads Hall
Then settle in for an evening of short films celebrating our oceans and the people working to protect them.
Find out more about these events and everything else happening as part of the festival:
https://www.barwonbluff.com.au/nature-festival/
A fantastic way to finish a week celebrating nature in Barwon Heads. 💚
🌱 Lend a hand at Bukareeyoo🌱
Our friends at Ocean Grove Coastcare have an upcoming regeneration event at Bukareeyoo – and they’d love some extra hands!
Join the group to help remove the environmental weed Euphorbia terracina and care for this beautiful part of our coast.
📅 Sunday 27 September
⏰ 10am–12pm
📍 BUK110 – the last car park before the Barwon Heads bridge. Look out for the Coastcare flag.
Gloves and tools will be provided, or bring your own.
Due to the plant’s irritating sap, the weeding activity isn’t suitable for children. Younger Coastcarers are still very welcome to come along with an adult and help collect rubbish.
☀️ Looking for summer work by the coast?
We’re recruiting at least 15 Casual Cleaning Officers to join our caravan park and campground team for the busy 2026–27 peak season.
Students, backpackers, seasonal workers and anyone looking for casual work are encouraged to come along to our recruitment event.
📅 Friday 9 October
⏰ 10 am–12 pm
📍 Education Room, Barwon Heads
Cleaning experience is preferred, but training is available for people with the right attitude and work ethic.
Come along, meet the team and find out if a summer with Barwon Coast could be for you.
👉 https://barwoncoast.com.au/SummerCleaningCasuals2026
🥾🛶 Walk, paddle and discover during the Barwon Heads Nature Festival
What better way to celebrate our local environment than getting out and experiencing it? There are some fantastic opportunities during the Barwon Heads Nature Festival, including:
🌿 Monday 21 September, 10.00 am – Explore Barwon Bluff
🛶 Monday 21 September, 10.00 am–12.00 pm and 12.30–2.30 pm – Canoe the Mangroves
🌱 Tuesday 22 September, 10.00 am – Walk on Country @ Barwon Bluff with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners
🌸 Wednesday 23 September, 10.00 am – Orchids in the Park
🌊 Wednesday 23 September, 7.00–9.00 pm – Land, Sea, Sky slide night
🔬 Thursday 24 September, 1.00–3.00 pm – Tide & Seek: a family ‘marine science’ day
These are just some of the events Friends of the Bluff have planned for a nature-filled week in Barwon Heads.
Take a look inside our new Moonah cabins at Barwon Heads Caravan Park! 👀🌿
Seven new cabins are *almost* ready to welcome guests, creating more opportunities for people to stay, explore Barwon Heads and experience our beautiful coast.
The new accommodation includes one dedicated accessible cabin, with accessibility and sustainability features incorporated across all seven cabins to provide comfortable, stylish and modern options for visitors to the Park.
This project was made possible with support from the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund, alongside investment from Barwon Coast.
A big thank you to the Victorian Government for supporting this exciting addition to Barwon Heads Caravan Park.
We can’t wait to welcome our first guests! 🌊
@barwoncoastcaravanparks

This is Wadawurrung Country. We acknowledge the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the land, waters, seas and skies of Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, 13th Beach, Black Rock and Breamlea. We honour and say Nyatne to Elders past, present and future whose ancestors, for thousands of years, have cared for this part of Dja (Country). We are committed as an organisation to meaningfully work together with Traditional Owners to make Wadawurrung Culture and Country strong.

© 2026 Barwon Coast. Website by Residency Studios.