While Melbourne is known as a foodie heaven, most of their produce comes from the city’s rich regional surroundings, and the Geelong area is in the heart of it all.
AVA Communities Geelong is being designed to support over 50s health and wellness with a community centre, indoor heated pool, meeting room, billiards and games area, full sized bowling green, recreation area with a kids play area, and a dog park, all located on-site.
Located just 10 minutes from the CBD, AVA Communities Geelong will have shops, public transport, medical facilities, parks, and attractions all conveniently located nearby. The lifestyle village also boasts walking tracks, golf clubs, bowls, and even an airport right on its doorstep.
Even more deliciously, it’s located in the midst of some of the area’s best wineries, providores, farm gates, and other producers, where you can support local and shop for the freshest produce. Cooking with produce so close to the source not only tastes great, but improves your wellbeing.
Ready to fill your basket with fresh, local goodness? Here’s where to support local and buy fresh in the Geelong region:
North Bellarine Farmers Market
To shop a range of the best fresh local, regional and artisanal produce, all in the one place, head to the North Bellarine Farmers Market at Bellarine Estate every Saturday morning. There you’ll find growers, farmers, bakers, brewers and plenty of other local food producers.
Keen for an ocean feast? Seafood doesn’t come much fresher than at Mi Shells Seafoods. Depending on the time of year, you can buy locally caught fish, scallops, mussels, squid, and prawns straight from their boat at Queenscliff Harbour.
Located in the fertile valleys of the Bellarine Peninsula, Manzanillo Grove produces fine quality cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, which is grown and processed right there on the property. At their farm shop you can purchase their olives, award-winning oils, and other goodies, and also learn more about how their oil is made.
Want some plump, bright red fresh strawberries for a dish? From November to late April, you can pick your own fresh from the farm at Surf Coast Strawberry Fields in Mount Duneed, for the real paddock to punnet experience. You can also pick up their very own strawberry preserves while you’re there.
Hahndorfs Fine Chocolates Geelong
One of the keys to supporting your wellbeing? Indulging from time to time. Like at chocolate shop and cafe, Hahndorfs Fine Chocolates Geelong. Inspired and educated by German chocolatiers Manfred and Erica Kolberg, the company first opened its doors in Hahndorf back in 2001, but you can enjoy their sweet creations right in the heart of Geelong. Choose from more than 90 varieties of chocolates to take with you, and while you’re there, settle in for a hot or cold drink—they’re each served with a complimentary chocolate.
Find out more about the lifestyle village at AVA Communities Geelong here.
