Hooked on Bellarine

Families, fishers, and food lovers are invited to cast a line and enjoy the FREE annual Hooked on Bellarine Festival on Sunday 4 October!

A family-friendly event that showcases the Bellarine Peninsula as a seafood and fishing mecca, Hooked on Bellarine is hosted 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. The event features 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.

Details

When: Sunday 4 October, 2026

Where: Portarlington Safe Harbour foreshore

Time: 9am-2pm

Cost: Free!

Activities

• Free ‘come and try’ fishing clinics for kids, complete with rods and bait provided. Bookings essential - go here.
• Free ‘come and try’ fishing clinics for adults, complete with rods and bait provided. No bookings required.
• Enjoy the Portarlington Makers Market - more info here.
• Kids activities from the VFA Education Team and Bellarine Catchment Network, 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
• Our first Hooked on Bellarine fishing competition run by the Bellarine Pirates Angling Club. Lots of prizes up for grabs!
• Fishing and Outdoor Swap Meet where you can donate, trade or pick up fishing and camping equipment - more info here.
• Fishing simulator, kayak and boat displays, pop-up tackle store, and local angling clubs to meet
• Learn about aquaculture and try samples of barramundi and abalone
• Better Boating Victoria sharing updates on boat ramp projects across the state
• Aquatic ecology sessions from OzFish
• Emergency services hub with trucks from Victoria’s State Emergency Service (SES) and Country Fire Authority (CFA)
• Food hub and live music by local artists to relax and enjoy waterfront views