The shopping strip in Anglesea is not big. You can walk to the end and back in under fifteen…read moreminutes without breaking a sweat. One treasure that could very well take up a third of the place is Seaside Seconds, Anglesea's secondhand goods shop. Often found crowding with people, there is an cataloging system in place, but the simple kind (not like a 'vintage' rack or anything). This leaves you to your own devices to dig deep into the breadth of wares here. Books, CD's, Records, Kitchenware, Bric-a-Brac, Clothes, Linen, Curtains, Pictures, Jewellry, Bags, Garden Tools, Sports Gear, and Whitegoods & Appliances. I'm pretty sure I overhead one of the locals saying this is only place they go to for their shopping needs. There are some real gems and some real misses. Check out the books and madball vintage newspapers, followed closely by the sequined Justin Bieber cap in all its white and pink madness. Leave yourself an hour, you'll need it. The space is deceptively deep, with the goods located further and further into the store. Before you know it you're on the other side getting a breather, a handful of goods to be purchased.

I visit a few times a year, and it's become a bit of a tradition to find something vintage here…read more It's getting harder and harder though, and when a piece does turn up here, it's often damaged but still overpriced. Unfortunately the main issue is that the prices are written in permanent marker on the goods themselves, often unable to be removed. This is a ridiculous system as it basically destroys the piece. I picked up a very rare Scandinavian sugar bowl but the sharpie has gone though the glaze and ruined it. Such a shame... This practice would be understandable if the prices were incredibly cheap; but mostly they price the vintage stuff over and above its worth. I've never seen an op-shop with this permanent marker approach to pricing - please buy some cheap sticker labels. That said, there is sometimes a few good items, sometimes nothing but the staff have always been very lovely and the store, whilst brimming with goods, is nearly sorted into sections. The opening hours are good too, however it is closed on Sunday. I do recommend this store for the casual browser, but if you are looking for cheap, undiscovered vintage pieces, it's not for you.

Nice boutique book store. I got the latest Annie Leiberwitz book "pilgrimage" there. Most impressed!read more

By far the friendliest business in all of Torquay! I've been here a few times now as a patient plus…read more1. This time around it was me hiring the good gear. The staff here are extremely relaxed, friendly and helpful. One side of the shop is a cute surfer cafe with great coffee and some interesting surf wear and the other side is the ocean toys hire. It's the perfect combination. Coffee and surf board. Within 10mins I had my board, a basic how-to-do-it 101 and an offer of a hot shower when I returned. Win-Win. The returning of gear is really easy. No doubt that the next time I need to hire gear I'll be coming back here!

One of the best galleries in the Bellarine Peninsula, it houses wonderful and ever-changing…read morepaintings, jewellery, glass vessels and pottery by local Bellarine Peninsula artist. The range is vast I recommend checking out their website where you can see a selection of each artists current works. Some of them do amazing landscapes, standouts for me include Amanda Hyatt and Hugh Guthrie. Robert Holcombe does amazing modernist abstract outback and bush landscapes that resemble shapes and shadows . Paul Margoscy does amazing amazing paintings of birds that are so lifelike with the backgrounds out of focus so much so you expect the birds to fly out from the paintings! Yeah they look like photographs that's how realistic they are. I know I banged on about landscapes but the other artists have their own subjects as well such as seascapes, nudes and still lives as well as contemporary art. The art glass is always brilliant to look at and the silver jewellery is very classy yet artistic at the same time. Best of all, sign up to their mailing list to stay up to date with their changing exhibits. Everything is for sale of course and I'm advised art is a good investment but choose wisely. Seaview Gallery has done some leg work for you by curating a stable and reputable body of local artists that capture the essence of the Bellarine lifestyle in all their works. They regularly have exhibition launches with evenings and weekend demonstrations by the artists involved so how nice is this if you have planned a romantic weekend away and slip this event in as well? Although the ownership has changed hands a few times, the gallery has maintained its reputation and always has something beautiful to see. Highly recommended especially if you are in Queenscliff for a visit.

Great Gallery! Lovely selection of artists. Generous, kind and knowledgeable curator and manager!…read moreThank you Colleen Kenwood!