Top 15 Activities to Experience in Geelong, Australia

Victoria’s second-largest city is located just an hour away from Melbourne.

Geelong serves as one of Australia’s most active ports, experiencing rapid growth during the mid-19th century as it supported the wool industry in the Western District and the Victorian Gold Rush.

While the Port of Geelong continues to flourish, the city’s waterfront on Corio Bay fell into disrepair during the 20th century until its revitalization as a tourism center beginning in the 1990s.

The Waterfront boasts tranquil green parklands along its foreshore, a beach, and elevated vantage points that offer expansive views of the bay and surrounding landscapes.

As part of Geelong’s resurgence, many historic industrial buildings have been repurposed as museums, breweries, arts venues, and residences.

1. Geelong Waterfront

After years of decline, Geelong’s bayfront exhibited a post-industrial aesthetic by the 1990s; however, a decade-long regeneration initiative altered this landscape.

As an indicator of this transformation, many featured attractions on this list are situated on or near the waterfront.

On your journey, you will encounter the Baywalk Bollards, imaginative sculptures that represent Geelong’s history and identity, crafted in the 1990s from reclaimed timber pier pylons by artist Jan Mitchell.

The Royal Geelong Yacht Club, established in 1859, is located here, alongside the 19th-century Carousel, which is discussed further below.

Between the carousel and Cunningham Pier lies a small dock housing Geelong’s floating Christmas tree, which illuminates with impressive projections each evening.

Flanking the parklands along the foreshore is a mix of modern developments and historic architecture, complemented by an array of seafood restaurants and cafes opposite Steampacket Gardens.

2. Eastern Beach Reserve

Envisioning the serene aspect of this waterfront area in the 19th century is nearly impossible.

During that era, cliffs were leveled in the 1920s, resulting in the creation of a one-mile sea wall, an enclosed saltwater pool, diving platforms, terraced lawns, children’s play areas, and a boardwalk.

This was all revitalized as part of the redevelopment project in the 1990s.

The reserve can be accessed free of charge, offering ample facilities for relaxation on the sandy beach and ascending the white steps of the Spanish Staircase amidst cypress trees, peppercorn trees, and palms.

3. Geelong Botanical Gardens

Located in Eastern Park, nestled between Corio Bay and Stingaree Bay, are the city’s remarkable botanical gardens, which were established in 1851. This establishment makes them the fourth oldest in Australia, with several trees documented on the National Trust’s Register of Significant Trees.

Heritage aspects are also evident along the classic avenues woven throughout the gardens and Eastern Park, including the Ladies Kiosk, a statue of Queen Victoria, and fountains, all relocated from the city center.

Among the various features, one can find a conservatory, a contemporary garden, a rose garden, a fernery, a temperate garden, walnut lawn, and oak lawn.

Consider spending additional time immersed in the flora at the Teahouse Cafe.

4. National Wool Museum

The bluestone wool exchange, situated near Geelong’s waterfront and constructed in 1872, is the quintessential site for Australia’s National Wool Museum.

Woollen mills were pivotal in propelling Geelong’s industrial expansion during the early 20th century and continue to play a role in the region’s economy.

Within the museum’s galleries, visitors can retrace the inception of the Australian wool industry in the 1840s and explore the process of wool from sheep to consumer, encompassing shearing, classing, pressing, and shipping.

A highlight of the museum is an Axminster Jacquard carpet loom, operational since 1910.

An accomplished carpet-weaver conducts daily demonstrations using this loom, crafting the museum’s own “Manor House Rug,” available for purchase in the museum shop.

5. Geelong Gallery

Situated within a distinguished ensemble at Johnstone Park, which includes the city hall and an impressive new Library and Heritage Centre, the grand Geelong Gallery stands out.

This esteemed regional art gallery, founded in 1895, features a Neoclassical building inaugurated in 1915. The gallery houses a collection exceeding 6,000 works by both Australian and international artists spanning the 18th to the 20th century.

Notable artists such as Eugene von Guerard, Frederick McCubbin, and Stanhope Forbes are represented, with multiple temporary exhibitions typically in rotation at any given time.

These exhibitions encompass contemporary art, photography, and infrequently displayed pieces from the collection.

Geelong Gallery also offers a dynamic schedule of talks, tours, events, and workshops.

6. Geelong Gaol

Constructed in the mid-19th century, the city’s maximum-security prison, located just a few blocks from the bay, remains the most well-preserved gaol in Australia from that era.

Built from bluestone and designed with a cruciform footprint, Geelong Gaol only ceased operations in 1991, and notable inmates included Mark “Chopper” Read.

Throughout the museum, one can experience the conditions faced by individuals imprisoned here, learning about the men, women, and unfortunately, children held within these walls.

The original appliances and equipment remain in place, and there are items on display created by the prisoners themselves.

A sobering highlight is the original gallows, and visitors can also spend a brief period in solitary confinement.

7. Steampacket Gardens

Perhaps the most animated section of Geelong’s waterfront is positioned between Cunningham Pier and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

This welcoming stretch of grassy foreshore, lined with palms and conifers, invites visitors to engage.

It is another area to admire the whimsical colored bollards that punctuate Geelong’s waterfront; the primary uniformed group here pays homage to the Volunteer Rifle Band, which thrived in both Victorian and Edwardian Geelong.

Now housed in a glass pavilion is the Carousel (1892), which was initially portable and steam-powered, then restored during the latter stages of the Geelong waterfront’s regeneration in the late 1990s.

Of the carousel’s 36 horses, 24 are original, each meticulously restored, with the process taking 300 hours per horse.

8. Adventure Park

Geelong is proud to host Victoria’s first, largest, and arguably best water park.

Adventure Park has been operational for over 25 years and features more than 20 rides, with new attractions introduced each season.

As of 2020, the park unveiled the $4 million Tsunami, a thrilling 7.5-storey ride that is 172 metres long, allowing riders to navigate exciting tunnels and funnel walls.

Also new is the 204-metre Tornado, where up to four riders at a time experience a sensation of zero gravity as they are pulled into a swirling vortex.

However, the park offers more than just adrenaline-fueled activities, featuring splash parks, a mini-golf course, pedal boats, a ferris wheel, a children’s train, and various gentler attractions catered to younger visitors as well.

9. Old Paper Mills at Fyansford

On the western periphery of Geelong, remnants of the city’s industrial heritage now enjoy new life as a cultural and arts district.

The striking industrial architecture of the Old Paper Mills at Fyansford now accommodates art studios, a gallery, and a café, with additional developments on the horizon.

This site is located along the Barwon River and is complemented by beautiful natural surroundings.

Visitors can enjoy walking and cycling paths that lead down to the river’s rocky banks to appreciate the gentle cascades of Buckley Falls, which are most impressive following rainfall.

10. Serendip Sanctuary

Traveling north from Geelong leads to the volcanic Western Plains.

Here, a preserved expanse of wetlands and grassland has been made accessible to the public.

Initially used for breeding native waterfowl threatened in Victoria, the Serendip Sanctuary opened to the public in 1991. On the Wildlife Walk, visitors can observe eastern grey kangaroos, emus, and a diverse array of bird species, from yellow-billed spoonbills to the elusive tawny frogmouths.

More than 150 species of birds have been documented at the sanctuary, visible from hides and aviaries.

Occasionally, the abrupt granite peaks of the You Yangs emerge in the northern vista.

11. Bellarine Rail Trail

The former South Geelong to Queenscliff railway line, established in 1879, has transitioned into a safe, picturesque pathway for cyclists visiting various attractions on the Bellarine Peninsula, after ceasing passenger service in the 1970s.

This 32-kilometer path begins at South Geelong Station, offering a mostly traffic-free route through Geelong’s eastern suburbs and continuing through Leopold and Drysdale, ultimately reaching Queenscliff Railway Station.

Drysdale represents the highest point along this path, providing long-range views back towards Geelong and over Corio Bay, with the You Yangs framing the backdrop.

Along the route, older stations provide places to take breaks, and for the latter 16 kilometers, the trail runs parallel to the Bellarine Railway, a heritage steam railway operating on the former branch line.

12. Cunningham Pier

Extending 250 meters into Corio Bay, Cunningham Pier has existed in one form or another since the 1860s.

Originally constructed for commercial purposes, Cunningham Pier was initially referred to as Railway Pier, and remnants of the original railway tracks can still be traced in the paving.

This provides insight into the bustling activity that once characterized the pier as ships loaded and unloaded cargo.

In the 2000s, Cunningham Pier was repurposed as a private events venue, situated within the pavilion at its end, though a covered walkway remains open to the public, offering scenic views of Geelong and its picturesque waterfront.

13. Little Creatures Brewery

This brewery originated in Fremantle in 2000 and expanded substantially into Geelong in 2013.

Reflecting Geelong’s heritage, the Little Creatures Brewery exudes a vintage industrial ambiance within what was formerly the Old Valley Worsted Mills.

This extensive site is described by the brewery as the Little Creatures Village.

The name “Little Creatures” alludes to Talking Heads’ sixth album while simultaneously referencing the yeast that transforms malt wort into ethanol.

The brewery produces a hoppy pale ale, an amber ale, a pilsner, a session ale, an apple cider, and Furphy Refreshing Ale, crafted exclusively with Victorian ingredients.

On a tour, patrons learn about the historic wool mill, as well as the brewing process utilized at Little Creatures.

For those keen to delve deeper into the intricacies of brewing, “Beer School” is available on the first Wednesday of each month.

14. Geelong Wine Region

It is essential to note that Geelong is one of Australia’s premier wine regions, featuring a temperate oceanic climate akin to that of Bordeaux.

The region is characterized by sandy soils, low-to-moderate rainfall, and moderated summer temperatures due to Port Phillip Bay.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the predominant grape variety in Geelong, alongside Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Shiraz.

These Cabernets possess robust characteristics and age gracefully, revealing prominent blackcurrant flavors at maturity.

The challenge lies in deciding which of Geelong’s approximately 40 wineries to visit, but beginning at the Bellarine Peninsula is advisable (Oakdene, McGlashan’s Wallington Estate, Tendah Estate).

15. Geelong Balloon Flight at Sunrise

The coastal scenery surrounding Geelong is breathtaking, but achieves an almost ethereal beauty at dawn.

Thus, for those willing to wake early, an unparalleled panoramic view awaits on this balloon flight available through GetYourGuide.com.

Preparation for the balloon takes around 30 minutes, followed by a safety briefing before ascending into the skies to witness Corio Bay, Stingaree Bay, Port Phillip Bay, and the Bellarine Peninsula awash in the morning light.

To the west, the Barrabool Hills can be discerned, and the winding course of the Barwon River emerges as it flows towards Lake Connewarre.