The Great Ocean Road is renowned for its fertile farming lands, fresh produce, and some of the best food & wine experiences in Australia. From lush berries and olives, mushrooms, organic meats, and handcrafted cheeses and chocolates, whatever your whim, you’ll find it along the Great Ocean Road.
Here we have compiled just some of the best Great Ocean Road food & wine experiences to be had in the region.
Otway NouriShed
After a long walk through the rainforest, a stop at the Otway NouriShed to experience their authentic and unique atmosphere, beautiful coffee, and amazing meals is a must. Otway NouriShed is only half an hours’ drive from Alkina Lodge, and one of our favourite places to stock up on various local goodies.
Gentle Annie Berry Gardens
Located in beautiful Pennyroyal Valley, approximately 1.5 hours from Alkina Lodge, Gentle Annie Berry Gardens invites guests to take a basket and pick berries in the surrounding gardens until their hearts are content! Guests can also pick other fruits and vegetables, which are all priced by the kilogram. Delicious berry pie, ice cream, jams, relishes, chutney, and many other products are also available for you to purchase and take with you if you please.
Apostle Whey Cheese
Apostle Whey Cheese is where you will find some of the best, award winning, handmade cheeses in the Great Ocean Road region, and is only 30 minutes’ drive from Alkina Lodge. The team at Apostle Whey Cheese is passionate about sustainable farming, and their operations are genuinely paddock to plate, with the cheeses made from milk that has been produced by their specially bred cows at the family farm. Every decision at the farm is made with two things in mind – the health and wellbeing of the cows, and the quality of the milk. They believe in working with the environment, not against it.
GORGE Chocolates
Not too far from Alkina Lodge, and on the way to Apostle Whey Cheese, is GORGE Chocolates. Open seven days a week, GORGE Chocolates has over 40 different products to choose from, which have been created using only the finest Belgian chocolate.
The Timboon Cheesery
Those who have been there will agree that a visit to the Timboon Cheesery is a must when you visit the Great Ocean Road region. Home to farmhouse cheese made by forth generation dairy producers and cheese makers, you can also enjoy a country lunch in the picturesque gardens as you watch the farm animals go about their day. The Timboon Cheesery is approximately 50 minutes from Alkina Lodge.
Timboon Fine Ice Cream
With fresh milk sourced from The Doolans next door, and fresh cream from Allansford, Timboon Fine Ice Cream makes beautiful, luxury, home-made ice cream each week. It also contains no nasty artificial colours or flavours, and new flavours are always being added to their range. Timboon Fine Ice Cream is located approximately 50 minutes’ drive from Alkina Lodge.
Otway Estate Winery and Brewery
Situated in the Otway Ranges and approximately one hour from Alkina Lodge is Otway Estate Winery and Brewery. Otway Estate is one of the most well-known and highly regarded Estates in the region, and is home to Prickly Moses Handcrafted Beer and Forbidden Fruit Ciders, as well as their own range of wines. The Estate is open from Friday through to Sunday and offers tastings and takeaways.
Forrest Brewing Company
Described as being equal parts microbrewery, eating place, and mountain biking hang-out, the Forrest Brewing Company is a cosy spot just over an hours’ drive from Alkina Lodge. Grab a blanket for your knees, have a bite to eat in their wonderfully casual restaurant, and wash it down with the perfectly matched beer.
Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-Op
For great seafood straight off the boats, including fresh crayfish and the very best fish and chips in town, Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-Op is certainly one for the seafood lovers. Located in Apollo Bay, approximately one hours’ drive from Alkina Lodge, their consistent excellent reviews make it a must visit.
Birregurra Farm Foods & Provedore
Recommended by local chef Alex Talimanidis, at Birregurra Farm Foods & Provedore you will find a range of delicious local and regional products. Pick up top quality, fresh, sustainably bred and locally sourced meat, home-made gourmet sausages, award winning cheeses from Shaw River, Apostle Whey and L ’Artisan Timboon, as well as fresh bread, local fruits, vegetables, chocolates, chutneys and preserves.
Birregurra Farm Foods & Provedore is approximately one hour, 20 minutes from Alkina Lodge, and the perfect spot to pick up a range of produce from the region.
And when you’ve finished…
After a long day exploring the many fantastic Great Ocean Road food & wine experiences, we invite you to bring your fresh produce back to your lodge. Here you can take advantage of the gourmet Gaggenau equipped kitchen, spacious dining area, outdoor entertainment area and Weber barbeque. You may need to come prepared and bring an esky or icebox with you to transport your delicacies back to your lodge.
Alkina Lodge also offers guests a range of beautiful hampers to choose from, for people who may not have the time to experience the various food trails. For more information about Alkina Lodge’s food and drink offering, visit the Eat & Drink page.
