Hooked on Bellarine
The Portarlington Safe Harbour Foreshore is set for another bumper day on Sunday 26 October with the FREE annual Hooked on Bellarine Festival.
This family-friendly event showcases the Bellarine Peninsula as a seafood and fishing mecca on the doorstep of Geelong and an easy day drive from Melbourne or ferry ride from Docklands to Portarlington.
Hooked on Bellarine is the ideal event for both fishers and seafood lovers, and includes pop-up stalls selling freshly cooked paella and the area’s famous blue mussels which are available to purchase. There will 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.
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.
Details
When: Sunday 26 October, 2025
Where: Portarlington Safe Harbour foreshore
Time: 9am-2pm
Cost: Free!
Activities
- Free ‘come and try’ fishing clinics for kids - Book here
- Free 'come and try' fishing clinics for adults - Walk ups only, no need to book
- 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 (WIRFAB) 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
- Market stalls selling fresh blue mussels
- Anatomy displays and research information from the VFA Science team
- Fishing and Outdoor Swap Meet where you can donate, trade or pick up fishing and outdoor equipment
- 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
- Chat to Bellarine Catchment Network and learn about the projects they're working on
- Food hub and live music by local artists to relax and enjoy waterfront views