An Ocean Grove institution for many years now, the "Piping Hot Chicken Shop" has recently changed ownership but has not missed a beat. Their chicken and hot chips in gravy are excellent, the prices reasonable, and they sell a wide variety of other foods such as cakes, hot foods, etc. The shop is quite large and always hosts live music, which is great for young up-and-coming talent. It's a great gathering place adorned with a lot of memorabilia from the previous owners' overseas travels.

A family-run business, owners Roy and Melissa and their kids run a very tight ship at the "Ming Terrace". Roy and his chefs are brilliant cooks of Chinese cuisine with an Australian flavor. The food is top-notch and the prices reasonable. The views out over the seaside are to-die-for, particularly on a clear summer's night. Two thumbs up!

Approximate cost: $25

I don't have many tattoos myself, but this is where I've gone each time to get them done and have never failed to be impressed. Smallish tattoos will cost around $50 and go up from there, which I think is quite reasonable. The designs can be basically whatever you want, any size you want and as I said the prices charged are quite reasonable.

Managed by experienced bowler David Carmichael, these bowling lanes offer a new and innovative way to experience the sport of tenpin bowling. With games and shoe hire at reasonable prices, lanes always well-oiled and house balls in good condition, you'll find you'll have a fun day out bowling at Geelong TenPin Bowl-A-Rama.

"Murf's Longboards" has been in Ocean Grove a fair while now. There are still quite a lot of older surfers in Ocean Grove and surrounding towns who prefer to use the longboards so "Murf's" has a good batch of regular customers. The boards have been expertly made, a lot using fibreglass, and sell for reasonable prices. Accessories available as well at reasonable prices.

"The Green Room" in the main street of Ocean Grove has held steady for over a decade now. Specialising in surf and skate clothing and accessories, the store is catering to a vibrant market on the surf coast of the Bellarine Peninsula. Prices are usually quite good and service is steady.

Geoff Brentnall's Pharmacy has been a regular fixture in the main street of Ocean Grove for many years now. He knows locals and he knows what's best for their health needs. His pharmacy sells a large range of pharmaceutical and cosmetic goods for all types of occasions. The prices are also quite reasonable. If he doesn't stock something, he'll always get it in quite promptly.

Ocean Grove Bowling Club, also now known as "Club Grove", is one of the newer breed of bowls clubs, not only catering to bowling members but the general public as well. With a reasonably-sized pokies room, a good bar with TAB facilities, a small area where live music can be played, a restaurant and a cafe, the recently-refurbished venue is now firing on all cylinders. Meals in the restaurant are not cheap, but of such quality that they are worth the price you pay. The cafe is also top notch, something you get for a reasonable price.

The Beachhouse in Barwon Heads markets itself as a very high quality restaurant, catering to the middle- to upper-class local residents. The dishes aren't huge, but are very well prepared and very tasty. The prices are quite dear, so be prepared when you go there. Service can be good on a good day, but sometimes it can also be quite bad.

Approximate cost: $35

Formerly known as "Card Mania", the store has moved location into the heart of the Geelong CBD and has branched out its material, going from mainly a sports card-trading business into more of a movies and music memorabilia-type business. "Popcultcha" sells figures, shirts, posters, mugs, etc., of the latest hot things in movies, music and general "pop culture" (pardon the pun), all at reasonable prices. For the collector out there - it's a must-stop shop.

Approximate cost: $35