WELCOME
The Bellarine Peninsula is located approximately 90 kilometres from Melbourne, and approximately 12 kilometres to the east of the urban area of Geelong.
Featuring significant wetland areas, open farmed landscapes, and stunning stretches of beach. The Peninsula is comprised of the distinct townships of Leopold, Drysdale/Clifton Springs, Portarlington, St Leonards, Indented Head, Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and the rural living area around Wallington.
The environment on the Bellarine is one of the key reasons people are attracted to it, with its strong farmed landscape character between Bellarine settlements - a character which is extremely important, and highly valued by the local community and visitors alike.
HISTORY
In 2016 the Barwon Heads Art Council founded the Bellarine Arts Trail, with a focus on the artists of Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and the Queenscliff. In 2019, Linda Gallus and Kaye Clancy, with the support of the many artists located in the Northern areas of the Peninsula, launched the Northern Bellarine Arts Trail as an addition to the Southern trail, and incorporating more than 20 venues. This event was a huge success, growing significantly in 2020 with more than 75 participating artists - until COVID put the event on pause.
During 2020-2022 several events combined to highlight the need for a more permanent directory of active Bellarine Peninsula Artists, and the various exhibitions/events they are working on.
The Bellarine Peninsula Arts Association was born from this need, and as it grows will create a one-stop directory of Bellarine Peninsula Artists, and information about the annual arts trails.