A day out in Geelong
Geelong is in Victoria. Hopalong knows 16 things to do and 8 places to eat here, plus day trips to Queenscliff and You Yangs. Prices are approximate adult prices in A$.
Top things to do in Geelong
National Wool Museum
A$10 · City · about 60 min
The wool industry's history, in a bluestone woolstore.
Australian National Surfing Museum
A$15 · Torquay · about 60 min
Surf history near Bells Beach.
Waterfront and the Baywalk Bollards
Free · Waterfront · about 75 min
More than 100 painted bollard figures along the bay.
Bells Beach lookout
Free · Torquay · about 45 min
Watch surfers at the famous break.
Jack Rabbit Vineyard
A$15 · Bellarine · about 60 min
A cellar door and restaurant with views over the bay.
Eastern Beach baths and lawns
Free · Eastern Beach · about 90 min
Art deco swimming enclosure and diving tower.
Geelong Carousel
A$5 · Waterfront · about 20 min
Restored 1892 steam carousel in a glass pavilion.
Geelong Gallery
Free · City · about 60 min
Free gallery with colonial and contemporary art.
Geelong Botanic Gardens
Free · Eastern Beach · about 60 min
Gardens above Eastern Beach.
Cats match at Kardinia Park
A$35 · Kardinia Park · about 180 min
AFL at GMHBA Stadium. Check the fixture.
Wine tasting in Geelong
- Scotchmans Hill (Bellarine, A$15): Long-running Bellarine winery near Drysdale.
- Jack Rabbit Vineyard (Bellarine, A$15): A cellar door and restaurant with views over the bay.
- Oakdene (Wallington, A$15): Winery with a restaurant and quirky upside-down house.
Tasting fees and cellar door hours change. Book ahead and organise a driver.
Free things to do in Geelong
- Waterfront and the Baywalk Bollards (Waterfront): More than 100 painted bollard figures along the bay.
- Eastern Beach baths and lawns (Eastern Beach): Art deco swimming enclosure and diving tower.
- Geelong Gallery (City): Free gallery with colonial and contemporary art.
- Geelong Botanic Gardens (Eastern Beach): Gardens above Eastern Beach.
- Bells Beach lookout (Torquay): Watch surfers at the famous break.
- Johnstone Park (City): Sloping lawns down to a historic rotunda beside City Hall.
- Rippleside Park (Rippleside): Bayside park and playground at the northern end of the waterfront.
- Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (City): "The Dome": a striking library with free activities and city views.
Where to eat
- Café lunch on Pakington Street (City, around A$25): Geelong West's café strip.
- Dinner on the waterfront (Waterfront, around A$55): Bay views from Cunningham Pier restaurants.
- Little Malop Street eats (City, around A$30): Laneway dining in the centre.
- The Yot Café (Waterfront, around A$28): Café with views over the marina.
- Tutti (Geelong West, around A$25): Well-reviewed Geelong West café.
- The Pickers Union (Geelong West, around A$25): Light-filled café with a big menu.
- The Club by Felix (City, around A$60): One of Geelong's grandest old rooms.
- Eileen's Charcoal Grill (Eastern Beach, around A$50): Middle Eastern grill by the bay.
Step-free and pram-friendly ideas
- Waterfront and the Baywalk Bollards · step-free · pram-friendly
- Eastern Beach baths and lawns · step-free · pram-friendly
- Geelong Carousel · step-free · pram-friendly
- Geelong Gallery · step-free
- National Wool Museum · step-free · pram-friendly
- Geelong Botanic Gardens · step-free · pram-friendly
Access information can change. Check with the venue if access is essential.
Day trips from Geelong
Queenscliff
- Queenscliff fort and village (Free): Heritage seaside town on the Bellarine.
You Yangs
- You Yangs Regional Park (Free): Granite peaks with a summit walk and mountain-bike trails.
Typical weather in Geelong
| Month | Low | High | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C | 25°C | 5 |
| April | 9°C | 20°C | 8 |
| July | 5°C | 14°C | 10 |
| October | 9°C | 20°C | 8 |
Approximate long-term averages, not a forecast.