Lord of the Isles has always been a bit hit and miss for me. I think the just try too hard to cater…read morefor everyone in Geelong. A fairly busy gaming room. An impressive looking dinning room and and outside back bar. Whilst independently they may work fine, as a whole ... not so much. I don't play the pokies so I can comment on that area. The 'back bar' as a whole is quite comfortable in both hot and cold weather and tapas style bar food that is mostly good. However if you choose to visit on a Geelong game day, expect noise and a lot of it (that said, most pubs in G'town are the same). For me, the biggest let down is the food. They are expensive. Add about an extra 10-15% to what you'd expect in Melbourne. I don't know why. Coz as I have said, it's very hit and miss. I've had a few great meals Any time I've ordered duck or veal its been great. However, there's been more lows than high. $22 for a chicken ceaser salad with under cooked chicken and a hard poached egg. Really?? If I'm willing to hand over $22 for a salad, it better be perfect! Fish dishes are the same. Sometimes ok, but more often than not below par. I 'd suggest they either lower the prices (and therefore the customers expectations) or get the dishes spot on every time. The service has always been polite, helpful and prompt.

When visiting Geelong, check out Lord of the Isles. Excellent food and friendly staff. A relaxed…read moreand modern Australian restaurant and bar!

This place isn't bad at all for a regional art gallery, but then again Geelong is a city in its own…read moreright (and definitely not part of Melbourne). They had some pretty nice works here, and a decent sized collection as well. Hey, they even had some older works, something that I tend to quite appreciate. The staff were also quite helpful, and one of the great things about this place is that it is absolutely free. Yeah, I really do like free art galleries.

Beautiful little gallery featuring local, national and international art…read more Quite quirky. Even has a hair salon. Go figure! Staff are lovely and so, so helpful. Make sure you include Strand Gallery Portarlington on your itinerary. Just around the corner from the main street and a short walk from the ferry.

A hidden sanctuary just 5 minute drive from Barwon Heads. Thid.place is small and a bit older BUT…read moreit has clean bathrooms and the animals seem well looked after and loved. I believe most animals are rescued and the small entry fee keeps this place running. At 11, 1 and 3pm the keeper shows the animals and we got to pat Matilda the wombat, koalas. Bearded dragon, blue tongue lizard and more! Good experience, please support this place.

So much fluffs! We got to pet some koalas and kangaroos!!! Happiness :'D…read more It's a smallish and down to earth kind of place. A little smelly, but the animals seemed well cared for. There's a kennel too so it was loud at times, didn't damper the excitement though. We arrived an hour before closing time, but the lady at the ticketing booth was very accommodating and kind. It was just us and one more party still around. There are tons of birds and some are very chatty. You'll also find dingos, foxes, wombats...etc. Some of the kangaroos are allowed to roam in a particular area so you can get up close and personal, but don't step on any tails now. But let's face it, you're here mostly for the koalas. They are sooo fuzzy to the touch. One of them was eating and pooping at the same time!!! Talk about multitasking. I guess it's not the sanctuary's fault when their stars misbehave lol.

I visited this establishment while heading back to Melbourne from a road trip, and had a hankering…read morefor fish n chips. Chips, potato cakes and dim sims were my order, and the food quality didn't disappoint. Everything was cooked to perfection. My big gripe was the length of time it took to serve. I waited almost 30 minutes from walk in to walk out, which in my opinion is just far too long. I appreciate that it was a busy night for them, but still. Another lady had apparently rung through an order, and was quite annoyed at having to wait 15 minutes for it to become ready (from what I gather she was assured it would be ready at a given time). Parking is minimal, but that's not the fault of the store. It's shared with other restaurants/takeaways in the strip.

Best fish & chips in Lara, always quick orders and a continuity of customer regonistiin.read more

Wow.You just dont come across service like THAT anymore. Food and atmosphere were spot on. Really…read moreimpressed. Wifey and I decided to drop in (tantrum kids in tow!!) after hearing it has apparently re opened. (Some friends of ours had mentioned the calamari!) We will certainly be back soon. Its a quirky, warm cafe/coffee spot, with a cool bar and a solid little menu. Breakfast and lunch. No dinner unfortunately. (We had lunch- the rissotto and the calamari - both great tasting, perfect sizes and very affordable!!) There seemed to be only one waitress working the day we visited and although the place was busy, this didnt seem to have any affect on the service at all. She definitely made us feel welcome and went above and beyond in regards to my wifes dietary concerns. (even going out of her way to look after our kids!) Genuine, good old fashioned service. There's a Lovely garden to walk through too and plenty of room for kids to muck about without feeling like you're annoying others diners. Thankyou, We will be back.

Lovely farm setting looking out to swan bay. We were met by friendly staff and were glad to see the…read morewarm and homely pavilion. Entree of soup + dumplings made with farm produce. Tick Mains of farm eye fillets and chicken gnocch goats with cheese. Tick tick Desert was sticky date and creme brûlée. Great finish to our unplanned visit to the Bellerine peninsula. Thanks for the hospitality gets our recommendation

Booked a large group lunch for an event with Basils. Explicitly confirmed that we would be seated…read morein the Pavilion and able to have drinks after lunch multiple times. They then called the day before the event and pulled the rug out from under us saying a wedding had booked out the entire venue, we'd been moved and drinks post could no longer happen. We tried to be civil and find a solution. There was no explanation for how they forgot there was a wedding on, not even an apology from Greg. The last part is what really kills me. If you work with this guy and think he's a twat, please take this as confirmation - your view is correct.

Banks Road boasts a huge range of delicious wines at reasonable prices. Friendly service and…read morebeautiful setting make this a must-stop in the Bellarine. Can't wait to return and try the food at the new restaurant

Warning: Banks Road has a very healthy range of wines. Just throwing that out there in case you…read moreneed to pace yourself on a wine-time day out. They're all very decent drops too, no real slouch to be found among them. That we left with a Rosé says something, considering that's usually one of our least favourite types of wine. Been here twice and always received warm cellar door service too, which means we'll probably keep coming back. Keen to try the accompanying restaurant (just changed hands) one day too.