11 Things to Do in Geelong

Geelong is Victoria’s second-largest city by population, and it is also known as the Gateway City because of the stunning views of Western Victoria. This city carries a lot of historical significance and is a blend of rich culture and stunning views as well. Whether you spend an hour, a day, or an entire week here, Geelong has a lot to offer you that will make your trip here more memorable.

Geelong is really a hidden gem of Australia that offers a variety of experiences to all visitors, whether they are locals or tourists. Upon reaching here, you will find some breathtaking beachfront, amazing landmarks, vibrant artwork, and a lot more that will put you in a stalemate position. Adding to the overall brilliance come a lot of exciting family activities and thrilling adventures as well.

So get ready to explore every corner of Geelong using our guide on the best 11 things to do in Geelong to earn an opportunity to immerse yourself in the allure of this stunning place.

1. Have Fun at Adventure Park

Adventure Park is the biggest water park in Victoria, and it is spread over an area of 72 hectares. This stunning park stands out to be one of the most loved attractions in Geelong and is very famous among families and kids alike. This park will offer an unforgettable experience for adventure seekers and for those who love outdoor fun. At this park, you will explore a variety of rides that are both water rides and theme park rides.

This whole territory of this park is really outstanding, as it has more than 21 rides to enjoy. At this park, you will discover that there are different rides for different age groups. The water rides you will enjoy at this park are Tornado, Aqua Racer, Lazy River, Bonito’s Bay Water Play Zone, Tiny Tots Splash Zone, and many more. The theme park rides include the Ferris Wheel, tea cups, air balloons, and many more. To sum up, this park will give you a day full of adventure, thrills, and ever-lasting memories.

Name	Adventure Park
Address	1249 Bellarine Hwy, Wallington VIC 3222, Australia
Website	adventurepark.com.au/water-park
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	+61352507200
Opening Hours	Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: Closed Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm
Distance From Geelong VIC	16 Km
How To Reach	By Car: If you travel via Bellarine Hwy/B110, you will reach here in around 18 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus: To reach Adventure Park, you can take the bus line 56.
Nearby Restaurants	Leopold Fish & Chips \| Mona Cicchetti Bar \| Mr Grubb @ Oakdene
Nearby Accommodations	Oakdene Vineyards Cellar Door \| Accommodation @ Curlewis \| Fairy Wren Cottage Country to Coast Retreat

Google Review: “ A very fun park, the attractions are large, for all ages and very safe spaces. It’s worth the investment in tickets. You can bring food for your picnic. It is advisable to come early to enjoy all the attractions.” – Stefanny Garcia

2. Enjoy Sunset at Geelong Waterfront

The Geelong Waterfront is one of the most visited places in Geelong. Being famous for its vibrant atmosphere and spectacular sunset views, this place is an ideal outing place for couples as well as families to enjoy. From this place, you can enjoy the perfect romantic stroll along with the beautiful views of the sunset. At this destination, you can take pleasure in walking along the beautiful Cunningham Pier, which is 330 metres long from this stunning Geelong Waterfront.

Along with this, this waterfront is a perfect place to enjoy with your family and friends since this place will give you a chance to enjoy the famous Ferris wheel with your children. The Ferris wheel is located just a short distance of 250 metres from this beautiful Geelong Waterfront, so don’t forget to take a ride on it. The Geelong Waterfront is a beautiful place to visit since it has stunning views of the seaside and landscape that can be seen while taking a stroll.

Name	Geelong Waterfront
Address	95 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
Website	geelongaustralia.com.au/cgw/default.aspx
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	+61352725272
Opening Hours	Open 24 hours
Distance From Geelong VIC	1.3 Km
How To Reach	By Car:If you travel via Ritchie Blvd and Bellerine St, you will reach here in around 5 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus:To reach Geelong Waterfront, you can take the following bus lines 101, 20, and 50. By Train: You can take the train Geelong - Melbourne via Geelong to reach Geelong Waterfront.
Nearby Restaurants	La Cachette \| Bay View Bar & Grill \| McDonald's
Nearby Accommodations	Vue Apartments \| R Hotel Geelong - Serviced Apartment Hotel \| Eastern Sands Geelong Accommodation

Google Review: “Absolutely amazing place. Either you go there in the winter or in the summer , You can always get a fun there. Sometimes It can becoming crowded but If you need to find the quiet, relaxing place , so It can be one of the best choices for you” – Hasan G.Doğan

3. Get Relaxed at Eastern Beach Reserve

The eastern beach reserve is famous for its stunning views of Corio Bay. At this beach, you will find white sand, and as you get back to the grassy areas, you will experience a lot of facilities and activities waiting for you. The beach is a reserve that has several facilities, like spaces for picnics, playgrounds for kids, and special sunbath areas to relax and enjoy these breathtaking views. The sunbaths at this place contain several floating islands to provide a more enjoyable experience, and along with this, they also have padded lifeguards working throughout the summers.

One can also explore the thrill of open-fire cooking, known as the barbeque facility. This reserve is a famous place where you will also explore the thrill of the Baywalk Bollard Trail Walk, in which there are more than 100 unique characters that tell you a deep story about Geelong’s history. This reserve is a place full of thrills, excitement, history, fun, and a lot more. So, don’t forget to explore this stunning place with your loved ones.

Name	Eastern Beach Reserve
Address	Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
Website	geelongaustralia.com.au/parks/item
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	+61352725272
Opening Hours	Open 24 hours
Distance From Geelong VIC	1.1 Km
How To Reach	By Car: via Bellerine St and Ryrie St/C123, you will reach here in around 4 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus: To reach Eastern Beach Reserve, you can take the following bus lines 101, 20, and 50. By Train: You can take the train Geelong - Melbourne via Geelong to reach Eastern Beach Reserve.
Nearby Restaurants	Lipari Cafe Bar Restaurant \| La Porchetta Geelong \| Pistol Pete's Food n Blues
Nearby Accommodations	Novotel Geelong \| PierPoint 401 \| R Hotel Geelong - Serviced Apartment Hotel

Google Review: “It’s definitely one of the best spots in Geelong to relax and have fun. Walk along the tracks and relax under the trees while taking natural vitamin D🌞 …” – Herwanderwings

4. Enjoy the Waterfall at Buckley Falls Lookout

Buckley Falls Reserve is a beautiful seaside location that has stunning waterfall views. It is a location that is famous for its rich culture and historical significance. The place offers breathtaking views of Buckley Falls and is a place that must be visited by nature lovers, adventure seekers, and hikers. At this location, you will find perfect paths for strolling or biking. This can also be a perfect picnic and a way to spend quality time with your family and friends.

Along with its stunning views and picturesque landscape, Buckley Falls is also famous for its rich and diverse flora and fauna. The views of the waterfall, along with the nearby walking tracks, make it a perfect place to visit and explore nature. At the Buckley Falls Reserve, there is the Barwon River, which is a famous fishing spot for locals. This is a place that is famous for its beautiful landscapes, and along with this, you will get the opportunity to witness a wide variety of bird species.

Name	Buckley Falls Lookout
Address	Highton VIC 3216, Australia
Website	geelongaustralia.com.au/parks/item/buckleyfalls.aspx
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	N/A
Opening Hours	Open 24 hours
Distance From Geelong VIC	5.3 Km
How To Reach	By Car:If you travel via Queens Park Rd and Aphrasia St, you will reach here in around 10 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus: To reach Buckley Falls Lookout, you can take the following bus lines 1, 25, and 43.
Nearby Restaurants	Barwon Edge \| Black Basil Thai Restaurant \| Gusto Highton
Nearby Accommodations	Shannon Motor Inn \| Discovery Parks - Geelong \| Tasman Holiday Parks - Geelong

Google Review: “Excellent spot for a picnic with the family. Shame there was no interpretive signs about the historical significance of this place regarding William Buckley and the Fyansford paper mill.” – Paul Michael Donovan

5. See Birds Habitat at Balyang Sanctuary

Balyang Sanctuary is an outstanding picnic area for families and friends, where you can enjoy the beautiful, vibrant atmosphere and stunning views. This is a place that has become popular because of the wide variety of water birds that can be seen there. Along with its diverse collection of birds, the sanctuary is also famous for its nine hectares of lake and native bushland, which make it a more spectacular place to visit.

The wide variety of birds that you can see here are Black Swans, Australian Pelicans, Eurasian Coots, Dusky Moorhens, Pacific Black Ducks, Mallards, Pied Cormorants, and Silver Gulls. Each of these vibrant species will tell you more about the birds, their behaviour, feeding time, and their distinct habitat. Along with this, the place also provides picnic areas, seating places, and beautiful strolling and cycling pathways.

Name	Balyang Sanctuary
Address	50 Marnock Rd, Newtown VIC 3220, Australia
Website	geelongaustralia.com.au/parks/item/balyang.aspx
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	+61352725272
Opening Hours	Open 24 hours
Distance From Geelong VIC	4.2 Km
How To Reach	By Car: If you travel via Latrobe Terrace/Princes Hwy/A10, you will reach here in around 8 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus: To reach Balyang Sanctuary, you can take the following bus lines 1 and 42. By Train: You can take the train Geelong - Melbourne via Geelong to reach Balyang Sanctuary.
Nearby Restaurants	St Lords \| Black Basil Thai Restaurant \| Two Sugars on Pako
Nearby Accommodations	Parkside Motel Geelong \| Hacienda Motel Geelong \| Tasman Holiday Parks - Geelong

Google Review: “Beautiful space and a great place to walk or run. Saturday mornings between 8&9am is Parkrun though so be aware you’ll be sharing with often hundreds of runners and walkers.” – Kiri Matthews

6. Spot Artistic Craft at Museum of Play and Art (MoPA)

The Museum of Play and Art (MoPA) is an outstanding place just made for children to play, create exciting things, and learn from those new inventions. If you are planning a family outing, then this can only be completed by visiting the MoPA. This museum is specially created for children under the age of 1 to 7 years so that they can enjoy it to the fullest and make everlasting childhood memories.

This is a place where you can find a lot of exhibits and interactive arts that are displayed to encourage children to create new and different things. The main goal of this museum is to teach the little ones to use these exciting museum ideas where they learn new things by doing experiments. A perfect place for parents to drop their children off and feel relaxed since at the museum you will find that along with learning proper care of children.

Name	MoPA: Museum of Play and Art
Address	51 McKillop St, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
Website	museumofplayandart.com.au
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	+61 1800 006 672
Opening Hours	Monday: 9:30 am–4:00 pm Tuesday: 9:30 am–4:00 pm Wednesday: 9:30 am–4:00 pm Thursday: 9:30 am–4:00 pm Friday: 9:30 am–4:00 pm Saturday: 9 am–5 pm Sunday: 9 am–5 pm
Distance From Geelong VIC	850 Metres
How To Reach	By Car: If you travel via Bellarine Hwy/McKillop St/B110 and Yarra St, you will reach here in around 2 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus: To reach MoPA: Museum of Play and Art, you can take the following bus lines 1, 22, and 50. By Train: You can take the train Geelong - Melbourne via Geelong to reach MoPA: Museum of Play and Art.
Nearby Restaurants	Family Pho \| Jack & Jill Restaurant \| El Toro Pizza & Restaurant
Nearby Accommodations	Admiralty Inn \| Rydges Geelong \| Timber Door Luxury Accommodation

Google Review: “There were lots of activities, they have scheduled of activities for the 2 hours to make sure your 2hr visit is maximized. Friendly and helpful staff. My kids enjoyed every bits of it. Thank you for making this happen 😊 … ” – anne michelle polandaya

7. Contemplate Artworks at Geelong Gallery

The Geelong Gallery is one of Australia’s oldest regional art galleries and still stands today as one of the most famous attractions to visit. At this art gallery, you will find more than 6,000 different artworks displayed. The most famous display at the Geelong Art Gallery is Frederick McCubbin’s A Bush Burial, which was made in the year 1890. Another famous piece of art at this museum includes a painting by local artist Rachel Hine, Heard Not the Voice of a Bird, in 2020.

In spite of this, there are a lot of other paintings that depict Geelong’s history and culture, and through this, people develop a deeper sense of art by seeing the fine work where each stroke and colour depicts a story. At this art gallery, you will find some permanent artworks as well as some temporary artworks. To be precise, it’s a perfect place for art lovers to stroll and immerse themselves in the beautiful world of bright and beautiful colours.

Name	Geelong Gallery
Address	55 Little Malop St, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
Website	geelonggallery.org.au
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	+61352293645
Opening Hours	Monday: 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday: 10 am – 5 pm Wednesday: 10 am – 5 pm Thursday: 10 am – 5 pm Friday: 10 am – 5 pm Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm
Distance From Geelong VIC	750 Metres
How To Reach	By Car: If you travel via Ryrie St/C123, you will reach here in around 5 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus: To reach the Geelong Gallery, you can take the bus lines 101, 20, and 50. By Train: You can take the train Geelong - Melbourne via Geelong to reach Geelong Gallery
Nearby Restaurants	Pistol Pete's Food n Blues \| Davidson Restaurant \| ALMA Restaurant
Nearby Accommodations	Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, an IHG Hotel \| The Electric Hotel \| Rydges Geelong

Google Review: “Amazing experience. Visited Rone in Geelong. Great venue and fantastic exhibition of one of the best artists. It was also great to meet the artist himself. Very friendly and extremely helpful staff at the gallery. Thank you! Highly recommend” – Manoj Mohan

8. Explore Flaura and Flona at Geelong Botanic Gardens

Geelong Botanic Gardens is located on an area of 7 hectares. This beautiful garden displays a wide variety of plants, giving its visitors an ideal place to stroll around and enjoy nature and its magnificent beauty. In this garden, you will find tall trees and beautiful grasslands all around. At this place, you will explore a lot of native plants, and along with this, you will also witness plants from all over the world that will give you a mesmerising experience in this ecosystem.

This garden has beautiful seating places for you to rest if you feel tired while exploring the diverse flora. It also has beautiful sheltered areas for picnics, and there are a lot of statues made of males and females holding plants and watering them. You will also find a teahouse cafe situated inside the Geelong Botanic Gardens, which will provide you with a variety of snacks and beverages.

Name	Geelong Botanic Gardens
Address	Corner of Eastern Park Circuit & Podbury Dr, East Geelong VIC 3219, Australia
Website	geelongaustralia.com.au/gbg/default
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	+61352724379
Opening Hours	Monday: 8 am – 5 pm Tuesday: 8 am – 5 pm Wednesday: 8 am – 5 pm Thursday: 8 am – 5 pm Friday: 8 am – 5 pm Saturday: 8 am – 5 pm Sunday: 8 am – 5 pm
Distance From Geelong VIC	1.6 Km
How To Reach	By Car: If you travel via Ryrie St/C123, you will reach here in around 4 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus: To reach the Geelong Botanic Gardens, you can take the bus lines 22, and 60. By Train: You can take the train Geelong - Melbourne via Geelong to reach Geelong Botanic Gardens.
Nearby Restaurants	Caledonia Shores \| Eastern Spice-Indian Restaurant Geelong \| Mei Ling Chinese Restaurant
Nearby Accommodations	Bay City Geelong Motel \| Eastern Sands Geelong Accommodation \| R Hotel Geelong - Serviced Apartment Hotel

Google Review: “Beautifully manicured garden that’s not too big nor small. Just the right size for my aged parents to work comfortably. Wheelchair friendly. There was a lot of mosquitoes and bugs flying around that was annoying but it’s a park. Probably given.” – Saravanand Naiker

9. Learn About History at Geelong Gaol Museum

The Geelong Gaol Museum is the most popular place for history lovers to explore and learn in detail about the rich and diverse culture of Geelong. At this place, you will learn about the prisons in Australia. This place has gained more popularity as the National Crime and Justice Museum. This museum has a large collection of prison art and is an essential place for prisoners in Australian history. At this museum, you will also see numerous artworks created by Indigenous prisoners.

At this museum, discover some interesting things, like the four suits of the Kelly gang’s protective armour. In the protective armour, you will find exhibits featuring legendary prisoners, a collection of uniforms, several shivs, and more. The Geelong Gaol is the oldest colonial jail in Victoria, which lets its visitors know more about the history of crime and justice in Australia. This place will give you a lot of learning experiences as well, and along with that, it will make you aware of the history of the place.

Name	Geelong Gaol Museum
Address	202 Myers St, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
Website	geelonggaol.com.au
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	+61 1300 865 800
Opening Hours	Monday: 12 pm – 5 pm Tuesday: 12 pm – 5 pm Wednesday: 12 pm – 5 pm Thursday: 12 pm – 5 pm Friday: 12 pm – 5 pm Saturday:12 pm – 5 pm Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
Distance From Geelong VIC	700 metres
How To Reach	By Car: If you travel via Bellerine St and Ryrie St/C123, you will reach here in around 2 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus: To reach the Geelong Gaol Museum, you can take the bus lines 1, 22, and 50. By Train: You can take the train Geelong - Melbourne via Geelong to reach the Geelong Gaol Museum.
Nearby Restaurants	Empire Grill \| Nautica Bar & Restaurant \| The Sporting Globe Bar & Grill Geelong
Nearby Accommodations	Gold Star Stays \| Anchor Geelong \| Heritage Studio Accommodation On Ryrie

Google Review: “Great experience. Lovely and authentic, really a “free” museum where you get to explore the gaol and se it authenticity. We spend a few hours there and it was quite interesting” – Catharina Kjelsmark

10. Enjoy Shopping at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre

Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre is one of the best shopping centres in Geelong since it is located in a place that is easily accessible by locals as well as tourists. This shopping mall is home to more than 140 stores, all of which offer premium-quality products. A place where you will find everything you need in your daily life, and you will also find major retail stores like Woolworths, Coles, Kmart, Target, Rebel Sports, and a lot more.

Along with this, you will also find cinemas, eateries, cafes, and premium liquor stores. At this shopping mall, you will also come across the kids club. At this club, there are a lot of exciting activities and small indoor rides for kids to enjoy and explore the surroundings. Children under the age of 10 can come and join this kids club. This can be a perfect place to drop off your child and continue shopping since you can completely immerse yourself in shopping and your child and enjoy rides and activities at the kids’ club.

Name	Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre
Address	Cnr Colac & Pioneer Rd, Waurn Ponds VIC 3216, Australia
Website	waurnpondssc.com.au
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	+61352442580
Opening Hours	Monday: 9 am – 5:30 pm Tuesday: 9 am – 5:30 pm Wednesday: 9 am – 5:30 pm Thursday: 9 am – 5:30 pm Friday: 9 am – 9 pm Saturday: 9 am – 9 pm Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm
Distance From Geelong VIC	7.3 Km
How To Reach	By Car: If you travel via Princes Hwy/A10 and High St, you will reach here in around 16 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus: To reach the Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, you can take the bus lines 1 and 45. By Train: You can take the train Geelong - Melbourne via Geelong to reach the Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre.
Nearby Restaurants	Old Man Pho Waurn Ponds - Vietnamese Restaurant \| Hi Sushi Waurn Ponds \| Mad Mex Waurn Ponds
Nearby Accommodations	Aristocrat Waurnvale Motel \| Waurn Ponds Hotel \| Deakin Residential Services

Google Review: “Without disclosing their names, two security personnel stepped in to assist me in resolving the issues caused by the misconduct of the Coles manager, who not only failed in her duties but also subjected me to humiliation.” – Sophia X Sui

11. Enjoy Rides at The Carousel

The Carousel is a beautiful waterfront amusement park that stands out as a gem of Geelong. This carousel has a sail-like steel and glass pavilion, which gives breathtaking views of Coria Bay. Since the carousel is made of glass, it offers all visitors some of the best views of the sun as it strikes the glass and reflects back. In this pavilion house, you will find a beautiful Armitage Herschell Carousel of 1892, which is still stored with its original beauty and elegance.

Along with this, you will also find the two chariots and 36 Dare horses, of which only 24 are original. The rides are now running on electric power. and kids come and enjoy these rides. Along with the features of the park, it is also a perfect place for community meetings to take place. This place is said to stand among the only of this kind in the entire world and the only one in Australia.

Name	The Carousel
Address	1 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
Website	geelongaustralia.com.au/carousel
Directions	Google Maps
Phone Number	+61352241547
Opening Hours	Monday: 10:30 am–5 pm Tuesday: 10:30 am–5 pm Wednesday: 10:30 am–5 pm Thursday: 10:30 am–5 pm Friday: 10:30 am–5 pm Saturday: 10:30 am–6 pm Sunday: 10:30 am–6 pm
Distance From Geelong VIC	850 Metres
How To Reach	By Car: If you travel via Yarra St, you will reach here in around 4 minutes from Geelong VIC. By Bus: To reach The Carousel, you can take the bus lines 208, 221, 507, 508, and 930.
Nearby Restaurants	Hecho En Mexico Geelong \| Bay View Bar & Grill \| Blue Lotus Restaurant & Cafe Vietnamese Cuisine
Nearby Accommodations	PierPoint 401 \| Novotel Geelong \| The Waterfront Apartments - Geelong

Google Review: “Very pretty place for both adults and children! Also a great place to keep warm from the wind. Geelong does have strong wind. There’s a visitor centre located inside the building too.” – M C

Bottom Line

Geelong is really a beautiful place that has a lot of attractions and activities that can be suitable for a wide range of people. From the thrilling amusement parks and beautiful waterfronts to the bright and colourful artworks, this vibrant city has a lot to offer. If you are a person who loves exciting and thrilling things like heart-pounding adventures or a calm person who simply loves to enjoy beautiful landscapes and rich cultural experiences, then this place can be a perfect spot for you.

Whether you are a local who is just passing by or a tourist who has come to experience the beauty of this place, don’t forget to explore everything, taste the delicious local cuisine at the lively cafes and eateries, and completely immerse yourself in the beautiful culture of the city. So pack your bags and get ready to dive into the rich culture and stunning views of Geelong.

11 Things To Do In Geelong

1. Have Fun at Adventure Park

2. Enjoy Sunset at Geelong Waterfront

3. Get Relaxed at Eastern Beach Reserve

4. Enjoy the Waterfall at Buckley Falls Lookout

5. See Birds Habitat at Balyang Sanctuary

6. Spot Artistic Craft at Museum of Play and Art (MoPA)

7. Contemplate Artworks at Geelong Gallery

8. Explore Flaura and Flona at Geelong Botanic Gardens

9. Learn About History at Geelong Gaol Museum

10. Enjoy Shopping at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre

11. Enjoy Rides at The Carousel

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11 Things To Do In Geelong

1. Have Fun at Adventure Park

2. Enjoy Sunset at Geelong Waterfront

3. Get Relaxed at Eastern Beach Reserve

4. Enjoy the Waterfall at Buckley Falls Lookout

5. See Birds Habitat at Balyang Sanctuary

6. Spot Artistic Craft at Museum of Play and Art (MoPA)

7. Contemplate Artworks at Geelong Gallery

8. Explore Flaura and Flona at Geelong Botanic Gardens

9. Learn About History at Geelong Gaol Museum

10. Enjoy Shopping at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre

11. Enjoy Rides at The Carousel

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