Top Things to Do in Geelong with Friends

Sun, surf and excellent local culture–Geelong is a city that has all bases covered. Whether you’re someone who thrives in the great outdoors or prefers exploring galleries and sipping wine, this buzzing regional powerhouse offers a boundless array of adventure, food and fun.

To supercharge your itinerary, we’ve put together the best places to eat and drink, and what to see and experience while you’re there. Got kids in tow? We’ve selected some fun and family-friendly activities for you to enjoy. Start planning your weekend escape with our guide to things to do in Geelong.

Things to Do in Geelong: Out & About

Visit Geelong Flower Farm

The Geelong Flower Farm is a wonderful shop to wander through during any season. Feast your eyes on the everyday and luxury blooms, and pick up your very own flower bunch to take home. All flowers are freshly cut and of premium quality, and the Geelong Flower Farm is locally operated, so you know you’re getting the best of the best. There’s also plenty of giftware for you to look through, making it the perfect spot to find a thoughtful present for any occasion…or to treat yourself.

392/400 Bellarine Highway, Moolap

Learn to Surf in a Day With the Help of Pros

You’d be remiss to visit this part of the world and not take advantage of its famed surf. If you’re feeling a bit rusty or are a first-timer, fear not, because there are trusty schools that’ll have you standing up on your board in no time!

Learn-to-surf schools like Go Ride A Wave offer introductory lessons with qualified instructors to teach you the basics, providing full-length wetsuits, soft surfboards and essential safety instructions to help you progress quickly. Already know what you’re doing? You can hire surf equipment and stand-up paddle boards, too.

Explore the Lush Surrounds of the Barwon River 

The 160 kilometre Barwon River is one of Victoria’s iconic waterways, and it passes right through the heart of Geelong. The river and its surroundings are rife with opportunities for watersports, walking, cycling, fishing and relaxing. Pack a picnic to enjoy by the river at leafy Queens Park, make your way up to Buckley Falls to see water cascading over rocks, explore the sculptures and rock art at Yollinko Aboriginal Garden or go birdwatching at Balyang Sanctuary. 

Wander Through the Local Markets

One of our all-time favourite things to do in Geelong is to visit a local market. Spend a morning wandering around, meeting passionate producers and makers, trying delicious regional food, nabbing a bargain and soaking in the atmosphere.

Visit the South Geelong Farmers Market for stunning gourmet goods and farm fresh produce, or the Waterfront Growers Market for seaside views, live music and food trucks. After a gift to take home? The talented artisans at Piccadilly Market have been selling handmade and designed wares that are a cut above the mass-produced stuff since 2010.

Take a Scenic Flight Over Corio Bay

Looking to take your things to do in Geelong list and dial it up to eleven? A scenic flight over Corio Bay is in order, with Adventure Flight Co’s Bellarine Peninsula and Geelong trip. Spectacular coastal scenery awaits, from Sorrento to Lorne. Enjoy the privilege of soaring over some of Australia’s most striking coastline. You’ll enjoy a unique aerial perspective like none other. The vibrant orange cliff lines, sparkling turquoise waters and soothing fresh air all combine to deliver an unforgettable experience. 

Find out more here

Things to Do in Geelong: Arts & Culture

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 is one of Australia’s oldest and most lauded regional art galleries. Since 1896, it has been amassing an outstanding collection of Australian and European paintings, sculptures, printmaking, and decorative arts, dating from the 18th century to the present. Stop in to see images documenting the early days of Geelong and its evolution into a thriving modern city, thrilling temporary exhibitions, creative events and workshops, while an enticing gift shop makes it an extra worthwhile destination.

55 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Take Yourself on a Street Art Tour

The art in Geelong certainly isn’t limited to gallery walls. Take a walk around town and you’re bound to see vibrant, humorous and breathtaking street art splashing the city’s laneways. Don’t miss Cam Scale’s ‘To The Unknown Mariner’, a large mural on the corner of James St and Mimms Lane that pays tribute to Geelong’s maritime history, as well as the colourful, community-driven Union Street mural.

Catch A Gig At Geelong Arts Centre

Did you know that Geelong is a UNESCO-designated Creative City? So, it only makes sense that it has a flourishing performing arts industry, and Geelong Arts Centre is at the heart of it all. Check out the what’s on page to see the wide range of shows you can book, from exciting local theatre to big-name touring artists. Raucous comedy, moving musicals and head-banging rock gigs; the Geelong Arts Centre has got it all.

81 Ryrie Street, Geelong 

Family-Friendly Things to Do in Geelong

Get Your Thrill Fix at Adventure Park Geelong

Just a short drive from town lies one of the best things to do in Geelong: Adventure Park Geelong. During the summer, it is a splash-tastic water park full of water slides, refreshing and thrilling rides, and a whole lot of fun for the whole family. During winter, there are still plenty of things to do! Think roller coasters, fun rides and park activities to enjoy, including the Winter Glow festival during June and July.

1249 Bellarine Highway, Wallington 

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

Geelong’s MoPA (Museum of Play and Art) is a state-of-the-art children’s museum that’s acclaimed around the world. So if you’ve got little ones in tow, this truly is a must-visit. The beautiful facility is filled with immersive, interactive exhibits that celebrate play-based learning. Fun, engaging, and educational, kids from 12 months up to early primary school age will be enthralled for hours as their creativity is nurtured. Change room facilities, pram parking and low-sensory spaces ensure it’s a comfortable visit for everyone, and the onsite cafe has lots of healthy snacks (and great coffee to boot).

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

Start the Day with Breakfast at a Vibing Geelong Cafe

Victoria’s second-largest city has firmly established itself as a top-tier place to eat and drink, and its cafe scene is no different. Locals and visitors are spoiled for choice with acclaimed brew bars, trendy bagel shops, family-friendly cafes and healthy havens all at their front door.

Pick up a coffee on your way to the beach at Pavilion or refuel with a sit-down brunch after your morning swim at Rebecchi’s, a funky cafe and record store hybrid that we’re officially obsessed with. Craving carbs? Brown Deli have you sorted in that department with its mouthwatering sandwiches, bagels and toasties, and there’s nowhere more wholesome for coffee and cake than At Randy’s.

Graze on Crispy Fish and Chips All Over Town

There’s no better place to unwrap a classic fish and chip lunch than in a seaside town like Geelong (and it’s a universally kid-approved meal). Take the family on a fish and chip tour of the city and find your favourite.

Start at the Geelong Boat House, a local icon that’s perched over the water on a barge, where you can eat freshly delivered seafood, cooked simply, at tables on the gangplank or upstairs on the bridge deck. Other waterfront venues where you can get a killer rendition include Fishermen’s Pier and Sailor’s Rest.

Dine at Unmissable Geelong Restaurants

You’ll never be short of an unforgettable meal in Geelong, where the dining options are as brilliant as they are broad. Consult our guide to the best restaurants in Geelong for all the must-book places to put on your radar, from the stunning Maestro, where refined flavours and local produce take centre stage, to the cosy Bistrot St Jean, a quintessentially French spot where the onion soup is steamy and carafés of wine are flowing. For something that feels a little more ‘country,’ The Batesford Hotel in Greater Geelong is a stylish pub serving Australian classics with a modern twist, set along the picturesque Moorabool River. 

Embark on a Day of Tastings with a Wine Tour

Geelong and the wider Bellarine region produce some of the finest wines in the state, and the best way to experience the cream of the crop (without worrying about finding a designated driver) is to hop on a winery tour.

Experienced operators such as Wilson’s Wine Tours, For the Love of Grape and Geelong Wine Tours offer convenient pick-ups and drop-offs, tastings at all the top cellar doors, delicious lunches and invaluable insights. While there’s a diverse range of varietals grown throughout the area, pinot noir, chardonnay and shiraz are done particularly well.

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 per cent 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.

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?