The Best Things to Do in Geelong for a Low-Key Weekend Away

Geelong reveals itself slowly, in layers. Just over an hour from Melbourne, this coastal city balances sea swims and sandstone streets with an assured food and arts scene. Mornings might start at Eastern Beach before drifting into Little Malop Street for coffee; afternoons shift between cellar doors on the Bellarine and exhibitions in town.

Planning a weekend away, a family break or a food-led road trip? This guide brings together the best things to do in Geelong — from waterfront dining and independent boutiques to galleries, markets and open-air adventures — so you can shape a stay that feels considered, not rushed.

Things to Do in Geelong: Out & About

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Visit Geelong Flower Farm

At Geelong Flower Farm in Moolap, flowers are treated with reverence, not fuss. Buckets spill over with seasonal stems and textural foliage, sourced with deep horticultural know-how and arranged in generous, unfussy bunches. It’s one of those hidden Geelong spots locals love — the kind you wander through slowly, choosing something for the table at home or a host gift that feels considered. A tight edit of giftware rounds out the experience.

392/400 Bellarine Highway, Moolap

The Geelong-Only Moment on the Waterfront

If you do one thing that feels unmistakably Geelong, make it the waterfront at golden hour. Follow the Baywalk Bollards, more than 100 hand-painted characters lined up along the foreshore, each telling a slice of local story, each begging for a photo. The trail can be a full commitment, but it’s just as good in fragments: pick a stretch, walk slowly, and let the bay do what it does.

Then finish at the Carousel, a restored 1890s beauty that still spins right on the water. One ride is enough to reset your mood for the entire weekend. 

Explore the Lush Surrounds of the Barwon River 

The Barwon River threads merrily through Geelong, shaping the city in ways both subtle and steady. Follow the path from Queens Park, where wide lawns and old trees invite a slow picnic, towards Buckley Falls, where water moves over dark basalt in a soft, constant rush. Pause at Yollinko Aboriginal Garden, where native plantings and sculpture honour Wadawurrung Country, then continue to Balyang Sanctuary, alive with birdlife and open sky.

It moves at an easy pace — walkers, rowers and cyclists tracing the river’s edge — Geelong at ground level.

Hike or Bike in You Yangs National Park

Just 20 minutes from Geelong, the You Yangs Regional Park is one of the region’s most striking escapes. Climb Flinders Peak for sweeping views over Corio Bay and the Bellarine, wander the granite-studded bush trails, or hit the acclaimed mountain-bike network that draws riders statewide. It’s rugged, peaceful… an outdoor fix that gives a Geelong weekend real shape and soul.

Wander Through Geelong’s Local Markets

Geelong’s markets provide a glimpse of the region at its most generous — growers unloading crates at dawn, makers setting out ceramics and linen, the scent of fresh bread drifting between stalls. The South Geelong Farmers Market, held on the first and third Sundays, brings together seasonal produce and small-batch pantry goods direct from local farms. On the first Sunday of the month, the Geelong Waterfront Makers & Growers Market lines Steampacket Gardens with food trucks, live music and bay views. For something crafted to keep, Piccadilly Market showcases independent designers and handmade wares with personality.

Take a Scenic Flight Over Corio Bay

For a different vantage point, take to the air with Adventure Flight Co and trace the curve of Corio Bay from above. The Bellarine Peninsula unfurls beneath you — ochre cliffs, shifting blue water, fishing boats cutting neat lines through the bay. On a clear day, the coastline stretches from Sorrento towards Lorne, all texture and light. It’s an adventurous kind of thrill, swapping footpaths for flight paths and seeing Geelong from a perspective few experience.

Find out more here

Things to Do in Geelong: Arts & Culture

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Explore Vintage Markets for a Treasure Trove of Retro Finds

Geelong has a host of fantastic vintage markets and stores for you to spend hours perusing — and getting lost in a sea of retro fashion, vintage homewares, magical memorabilia and unexpectedly chic knick-knacks. Our favourites are Geelong Vintage Market and The Mill Market Geelong, which offer unique, vintage goodies just waiting to be discovered. Put aside a few hours to comb through the racks and be prepared to come home with a range of retro fits and finds.

Wander Around the Hallowed Halls of Geelong Gallery

Geelong Gallery has been part of the city’s cultural fabric since 1896, making it one of Australia’s oldest regional galleries. Its collection spans Australian and European works from the 18th century to today, with pieces that trace Geelong’s early history alongside contemporary exhibitions that shift the conversation forward. Allow time to move slowly through the rooms, then finish with a considered browse of the gallery store.

55 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Take Yourself on a Street Art Tour

Art in Geelong spills beyond gallery walls and into its laneways. Wander through the CBD and you’ll find large-scale murals layered between brick facades and side streets, each adding texture to the city’s maritime and creative history. Seek out Cam Scale’s To The Unknown Mariner on the corner of James Street and Mimms Lane — a striking tribute to Geelong’s seafaring past — along with the colour-saturated Union Street mural, shaped by local hands.

Catch A Gig At Geelong Arts Centre

Geelong’s creative credentials run deep, and Geelong Arts Centre carries much of that energy after dark. Its stages host a steady rotation of theatre, music, comedy and touring productions, drawing local talent and national names alike. It’s worth scanning the program before you book dinner — your night might revolve around what’s on stage.

81 Ryrie Street, Geelong 

Family-Friendly Things to Do in Geelong

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Get Your Thrill Fix at Adventure Park Geelong

Just outside town, Adventure Park delivers high-energy contrast to Geelong’s coastal calm. In summer, it’s all water slides, wave pools and long afternoons in the sun; in winter, the rides keep spinning, with coasters and seasonal activations like the Winter Glow festival lighting up June and July. It’s an easy win for families — loud, lively and built for full days out.

1249 Bellarine Highway, Wallington 

Delight the Little Ones with a Day at the Museum of Play and Art

MoPA (Museum of Play and Art) turns play into something considered. Designed for children from toddler age through early primary, the space is layered with immersive, hands-on exhibits that encourage curiosity without feeling chaotic. It’s structured enough to hold attention, open enough to let imagination roam. Practical touches — pram parking, change facilities and low-sensory spaces — make it easy for parents, while the onsite cafe means no one leaves hungry.

51 McKillop Street, Geelong 

Frolick Away the Day at Eastern Beach

Spend the day splashing in seawater and feel your stresses melt away. Eastern Beach is right at the city’s waterfront on Corio Bay and is home to a charming art-deco sea-bathing complex that was first built in the 1930s. Here, you’ll find an enclosed sea bath surrounded by an iconic circular boardwalk, diving towers, floating islands and a children’s pool. A bustling kiosk, barbecue facilities and terraced lawns provide everything you need for a leisurely post-dip picnic.

Geelong Botanic Gardens

A day out at the Geelong Botanic Gardens is perfect if you’re looking for free things to do in Geelong that will keep your kids entertained. Pack a picnic and sprawl out on the lush grass, or wander through the gardens and learn about the flora, fauna and greenery from Australia across the world found within every inch of the gardens. Your kids will be able to run around freely and play, and dogs are welcome, too.

Corner of Eastern Park Circuit & Podbury Drive, East Geelong

Things to Do in Geelong: Eat & Drink

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Start the Day with a Delicious Breakfast or Pastry

Morning energy hits differently in Geelong, where the cafe scene swings from cult bagels to breezy beachfront coffee runs. For sun-soaked starts, grab a takeaway brew from Pavilion and wander straight to the water. After a swim, Rebecchi’s makes a case for a sit-down moment — part cafe, part record store, fully charming.

If carbs are calling, Brown Deli comes through with stacked sandwiches and excellent bagels, while At Randy’s is the pick for coffee, cake and a cosy pause before the day truly breaks.

Graze on Crispy Fish and Chips All Over Town

Few things hit quite like fish and chips in a seaside city, and Geelong has plenty of spots to make it a family ritual. Begin at the Geelong Boat House, a much-loved barge on the waterfront where freshly delivered seafood is cooked without fuss and eaten at gangplank tables or up on the bridge deck.

For more waterfront goodness, Fishermen’s Pier and Sailors’ Rest both serve excellent, crisp-as-they-should-be plates with views to match. A simple pleasure done very well.

Dine at Unmissable Geelong Restaurants

Dining in Geelong is a genuine pleasure, with restaurants that span polished, playful and deeply local. Our guide to the city’s best spots maps out the standouts: Maestro, a striking room where seasonal produce is handled with real finesse, and Bistrot Plume, a charming French hideaway known for its steaming onion soup and easygoing pours. For something with a regional feel, The Batesford Hotel delivers a smart take on Australian pub cooking beside the Moorabool River. A city with plenty of flavour — and plenty worth booking.

Embark on a Day of Tastings with a Wine Tour

Geelong and the wider Bellarine Peninsula turn out some of Victoria’s most impressive wines, and the easiest way to experience them — without sorting out a designated driver — is to jump on a curated winery tour.

Local operators like Wilson’s Wine Tours, For the Love of Grape and Geelong Wine Tours handle everything: pick-ups, drop-offs, tastings at standout cellar doors and relaxed long lunches. Pinot noir, chardonnay and shiraz shine across the region, but the real joy is discovering how much diversity sits within this coastal pocket of vineyards.

Sink a Cold One at Geelong’s Many Breweries

More of a beer person? Geelong has you covered for that, too. The Little Creatures outpost here has become as much of a destination as the original brewery in Fremantle. It’s the birthplace of their Furphy ale, the staple of bottle shops and barbecues everywhere, and continues to be 100 percent brewed in Geelong to this day. Swing by for that classic brewery experience: bustling canteen, fresh tap beers and seeing where the magic happens.

Little Creatures kickstarted a local brewery scene that’s stronger than ever, so put Blackmans Brewery and White Rabbit Barrel Hall on your visit list too.

Geelong After Dark

Geelong gets its second wind after dinner, when the glow along Little Malop Street softens the edges and the whole city loosens its shoulders. Everything feels close here — bars stitched together by a few easy steps and that delicious sense you’re exactly where you need to be.

Begin with a pour at Timber Door Cellars, a calm little pocket where the night opens gently. Slip next to Meet Me at Mary’s or Daisy for cocktails, share p[lthat feel crafted with glamorous intent.

When you’re ready for something deeper, 18th Amendment Bar is waiting with a room that knows exactly how to hold a mood. Walk-ins only, so early is your friend.

And if you want the night to swell into something louder and beautifully human, Piano Bar turns your song request into a full-room chorus. Joyful, unfiltered, and best enjoyed with friends who won’t judge your high notes.

Now that you know the top things to do in Geelong, continue exploring this special part of Australia with the help of our picks for luxury accommodation along the Great Ocean Road. And why not stay on the road with eight more bucket list road trips to take across Victoria?