13th Beach, Victoria: Surfing, golf & accommodation

Just west of Barwon Heads on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, 13^th Beach has surfers checking the surf report and golfers checking which course at 13^th Beach golf is open to guests.

13^th Beach on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula is primarily famous for two things – surfing and golf.

Just to the west of Barwon Heads, 13^th Beach is on the Southern Ocean, and gets the crashing swell from it.

Surfing and swimming at 13^th Beach

This makes it a very popular spot with surfers, who will eagerly check out the 13^th Beach surf report and surf cam before descending en masse.

The waves aren’t huge here, but they roll in consistently and of manageable size from the south.

If you’re not a surfer, it’s possible to swim at 13^th Beach. It’s not the safest beach in Australia, but neither is it the most dangerous. There are regular rips along the beach.

The surf club is the only development at 13^th Beach, and swimmers should stick to the patrolled area.

How long is 13^th Beach, Victoria?

13^th Beach, Victoria, is around 4.5km long, and backed by dunes most of the way. These dunes have vegetation on them, so don’t go expecting some sort of Saharan landscape.

There are several access points and car parks along the Barwon Heads to Torquay Road, although the easiest access is by the surf club.

13^th Beach Golf: Courses and green fees

The other major reason to visit 13^th Beach is 13^th Beach Golf. This prestigious golf club has two links courses – the Beach Course and the Creek Course. Each day, one course is set aside for members, while the other is opened up for visitors.

Green fees are steep, starting at $115 for 18 holes on weekdays for Australian guests. For international guests, it’s $200 for the Creek Course or $250 for the Beach Course.

Full information is available on the club website.

13^th Beach accommodation

There are two upmarket 13^th Beach accommodation options if you want to stay here. The 13^th Beach Golf Lodges, which is essentially in the middle of the golf courses, offers apartment-style accommodation.

Meanwhile, the Barwon Heads Resort at 13^th Beach – also surrounded by the golf courses – puts a bigger emphasis on its full service spa.

Cheaper accommodation in Barwon Heads is available at the Barwon Heads Caravan Park.

More Victoria travel

Hike to the Pinnacle Lookout near Halls Gap.

Is it safe to swim at Carrum Beach on Port Phillip Bay?

Walk to Whisky Bay, Wilsons Promontory.

Bendigo road trips.

What are the best things to do at Cape Bridgewater in the Discovery Bay Coastal Park?