Hooked on Bellarine

Recreational fishers and lovers of seafood can celebrate Gone Fishing Day on Sunday 8 October 2023 by joining the festivities at Portarlington’s ‘Hooked on Bellarine’ extravaganza.

This family-friendly event showcases the Bellarine Peninsula as a seafood and fishing mecca on the doorstep of Geelong and an easy day trip from Melbourne.

A Victorian recreational fishing licence will not be required anywhere in the state on National Gone Fishing Day, Sunday 8 October 2023, to encourage more people to give fishing a try.

Important information

When: Sunday 8 October, 2023

Where: Portarlington Safe Harbour foreshore

Time: 10am-4pm

Activities

  • Free ‘come and try’ fishing clinics for kids - FULLY BOOKED
  • Better Boating Victoria’s free skills clinics including boat handling and trailer reversing at Point Richards - BOOK HERE
  • Market stall selling freshly cooked seafood and locally made produce, including blue mussels
  • The VFA team talking about snapper, whiting and calamari research
  • Improve your seafood cooking skills with demonstrations and recipes that everyone can try at home
  • Fish filleting demonstrations and anatomy displays with VFA’s David Reilly
  • Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating (WIRFAB) Network leaders sharing fishing and filleting tips
  • Plenty for the kids including prize giveaways, virtual reality fishing and VFA’s fish mascot
  • Food hub to relax and enjoy the waterfront views.