Public Toilets in Barwon Heads, VIC
4 toilet locations mapped across Barwon Heads — the quiet Bellarine village where SeaChange was filmed. From 13th Beach to the river reserve, every dunny in the village sorted. Walking the bluff, surfing 13th Beach, or just having a coffee on Hitchcock Avenue — know where to go before you need to go.
Interactive Toilet Map
4 facilities available in Barwon Heads
📍 Street View
Select a Location
Click on a toilet marker to see the street view
Where Are You?
Barwon Heads is a small village — everything is within a 10-minute walk. But 13th Beach is a separate car trip west. Here's where to find the nearest dunny.
Surfing at 13th Beach
13th Beach car park toilets
The long surf beach west of the village. Toilet at the car park — nothing once you walk along the sand.
13th Beach is one of Victoria's best surf beaches — long, uncrowded, and powerful. The car park toilet is basic but reliable. Once you walk south along the beach, there's nothing for kilometres. Go before you go.
At the main beach
Barwon Heads Beach toilets
The patrolled beach near the river mouth and surf club. Well-maintained facilities.
This is the family beach, sheltered by the river mouth. The toilet block is near the surf club. Showers available. Calmer than 13th Beach — good for kids.
Having coffee in the village
Bridge Road toilets
In the heart of the village. Hitchcock Avenue's cafes are a 1-minute walk away.
Barwon Heads' village centre is tiny — a few cafes, a pub, and a general store on Hitchcock Avenue. The Bridge Road public toilet is the central option. Most cafes also have customer facilities.
Walking along the river
Ewing Blyth Reserve toilets
On the banks of the Barwon River. Popular for fishing, birdwatching, and picnics.
Ewing Blyth Reserve is a peaceful riverside park. Watch pelicans at the river mouth, fish from the bank, or just sit under the trees. Toilet block in the reserve.
SeaChange location hunting
Bridge Road or Beach toilets
The bridge, pub, and main street are all recognisable from the show.
Barwon Heads barely changed between 1998 and now. The bridge is the iconic SeaChange shot. The pub (now renamed) is still there. Walk the village and you'll recognise Pearl Bay.
Walking to Ocean Grove
Bridge area (before) or Beach (after)
Cross the bridge to Ocean Grove, or take the dramatic clifftop walk via The Bluff.
Two ways to walk to Ocean Grove: the bridge (flat, 20 min) or The Bluff clifftop (spectacular, 40 min). No toilets on The Bluff path — use facilities in either village.
Things to Do in Barwon Heads
The SeaChange village — quiet, charming, and barely changed since the TV show put it on the map. Population 4,000, sitting at the mouth of the Barwon River on the Bellarine Peninsula.
13th Beach Surfing
One of Victoria's premier surf beaches. Long, powerful, and uncrowded compared to the Surf Coast. Multiple peaks along kilometres of sand. For experienced surfers.
The Bluff Clifftop Walk
Dramatic coastal walk to Ocean Grove along the clifftops. 3km with sweeping views. Dolphins, seals, and whales (winter) often spotted from the path.
SeaChange Village Walk
Stroll the village and recognise locations from the iconic ABC TV series. The bridge, pub, and main street are all virtually unchanged since 1998.
Barwon River Fishing
Fish for bream, mullet, and flathead from the riverbank or the bridge. The river mouth is particularly productive. No licence needed for some areas.
Hitchcock Avenue Cafes
The village main street has excellent cafes and a relaxed atmosphere. Quality coffee and brunch in a setting that hasn't been overtaken by chains.
Birdwatching at the River Mouth
Pelicans, cormorants, and wading birds at the Barwon River estuary. The sandbar at the mouth is a roosting site for significant numbers of shorebirds.
Golf at Barwon Heads
Barwon Heads Golf Club is a championship links course on the sand dunes. One of Victoria's top-rated courses. Visitors welcome on most days.
Bellarine Rail Trail
Cycle or walk the rail trail connecting Queenscliff to Geelong. The Barwon Heads section passes through coastal scrub and farmland. Flat and easy.
Where to Stay in Barwon Heads
Small village, limited accommodation. Mostly holiday rentals and one caravan park. More options in nearby Ocean Grove (5 min) or Geelong (30 min).
Holiday Rentals
Beach houses and cottages in the village. Barwon Heads has a premium feel — expect higher prices than Ocean Grove. $250-600/night in summer. Book well ahead.
Nearest dunny: Bridge Road toilets (most rentals within 5 min walk).
Barwon Heads Caravan Park
Prime location right on the river. Powered and unpowered sites, plus cabins. Book 6-12 months ahead for summer — it's one of the most popular caravan parks on the Bellarine.
Nearest dunny: Park amenities + Ewing Blyth Reserve nearby.
Nearby: Ocean Grove
Ocean Grove is 5 minutes across the bridge with more accommodation options, a bigger supermarket, and slightly lower prices. Easy to base there and walk or drive to Barwon Heads.
Nearest dunny: see Ocean Grove page for 5 locations.
Getting to Barwon Heads
Drive from Melbourne
1 hour 20 minutes via the M1 to Geelong, then the Barwon Heads Road. Straightforward freeway to Geelong, then 25 minutes through suburban Geelong and out to the coast.
From Ocean Grove: 5 minutes across the bridge. They're essentially twin towns.
Bus
McHarry's buses run between Geelong and Barwon Heads. Limited frequency — check timetables. Most visitors drive. No train station — nearest rail is Geelong (South Geelong or Geelong station).
Toilet Planning Tips
13th Beach: The toilet is at the car park only. Once you walk onto the beach, there's nothing for kilometres in either direction.
The Bluff walk: No toilets between Barwon Heads Beach and Ocean Grove Beach. Use facilities before starting.
From Geelong: No public toilet on the 25-minute drive from Geelong to Barwon Heads. Use Geelong facilities before departing.
Toilet Quick Reference
All 4 public toilet locations in Barwon Heads at a glance. All are free, council-maintained, and open year-round.
| Location | Accessible | Showers | Parking | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13th Beach Car Park | — | — | Yes | Surfers, beach walkers, dog walkers |
| Barwon Heads Beach | Yes | Yes | Yes | Families, swimmers, surf club visitors |
| Bridge Road | Yes | — | Yes | Village visitors, cafe-goers, shoppers |
| Ewing Blyth Reserve | — | — | Yes | River walkers, fishers, birdwatchers |
City of Greater Geelong maintains all facilities. Report issues via council website or phone 5272 5272.
SeaChange Filming Locations
The ABC TV series SeaChange (1998-2000) was filmed in Barwon Heads. The fictional town of "Pearl Bay" was entirely set here. The village has barely changed since filming — you'll recognise these locations instantly.
The Bridge
The iconic opening shot. The timber bridge connecting Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove over the river. Still the same bridge. Toilet nearby at Bridge Road.
The Pub
Barwon Heads Hotel on Hitchcock Avenue was the Pearl Bay pub. Still operating under a different name. Customer toilets available.
Hitchcock Avenue
The main village street featured throughout the show. Cafes and shops now, but the streetscape is virtually unchanged. Bridge Road toilet closest.
The Beach & River Mouth
Multiple beach and river scenes filmed here. The surf club, sand, and river mouth all featured. Barwon Heads Beach toilet block nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there public toilets at 13th Beach?
Yes. The 13th Beach car park has a public toilet block. This is the main access point for the long surf beach west of Barwon Heads. The toilets are basic but maintained by the City of Greater Geelong. There are no facilities once you walk along the beach.
Is there a toilet in Barwon Heads village?
Yes. There are toilets on Bridge Road in the village centre, plus at Ewing Blyth Reserve near the river. Most cafes along Hitchcock Avenue also have customer facilities.
Was SeaChange filmed in Barwon Heads?
Yes. The ABC TV series SeaChange (1998-2000) was filmed in Barwon Heads, which became the fictional town of Pearl Bay. The village has changed remarkably little since filming. The bridge, main street, and beach are all recognisable from the show.
Is there a wheelchair accessible toilet in Barwon Heads?
Yes. The Bridge Road toilets in the village centre have an accessible cubicle. The Barwon Heads Beach toilet block also has accessible access. 13th Beach car park toilets have limited accessibility.
How far is Barwon Heads from Ocean Grove?
Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove are essentially next to each other, connected by a bridge over the Barwon River. It is a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk across the bridge. You can also walk the clifftop path via The Bluff (about 40 minutes).
Are there toilets at Barwon Heads beach?
Yes. Barwon Heads Beach (the patrolled surf beach near the river mouth) has a public toilet block. This is separate from 13th Beach, which is the long beach to the west. Both have toilet facilities at their access points.
Can you walk from Barwon Heads to Ocean Grove?
Yes. Walk across the bridge (5 minutes) for the direct route, or take the clifftop walk via The Bluff for spectacular ocean views (about 40 minutes). No toilets on the clifftop walk itself — use facilities in either village.
Is there parking at Barwon Heads?
Yes. There is free parking in the village on Bridge Road and Hitchcock Avenue. 13th Beach has a large free car park. Barwon Heads Beach has a small car park near the surf club. Parking can fill on hot summer weekends but is generally easier than Ocean Grove.
Barwon Heads Beaches Compared
Barwon Heads has three very different beach environments. Here's which suits your skill level and plans.
13th Beach
Long, powerful surf beach. Experienced surfers only — not patrolled. Kilometres of open sand with no facilities beyond the car park. Dogs allowed off-lead in sections.
Toilet: 13th Beach car park only — nothing on the beach itself.
Barwon Heads Beach
Sheltered beach near the river mouth. Patrolled in summer, calmer water than 13th Beach. Good for families and less confident swimmers. Near the village.
Toilet: Beach block with showers and accessible cubicle.
River Beach
The riverbank near the bridge has sandy areas with flat, calm water. No waves at all. Perfect for toddlers and paddleboarders. Very shallow.
Toilet: Bridge Road or Ewing Blyth Reserve (both 2 min walk).
Nearby Areas
Barwon Heads is on the Bellarine Peninsula at the mouth of the Barwon River, 100km south-west of Melbourne. Population approximately 4,000. Part of the City of Greater Geelong. Wadawurrung country.
