Things to Do in Geelong

Regional gallery with a strong collection of Australian colonial and modern art, including works by Tom Roberts and Sidney Nolan. Small but well-curated temporary exhibitions.

🕐 Tue–Sun 10am–5pm, closed Mon

💡 Free guided tours run Saturdays at 11am. Check upstairs for the changing contemporary space.

Regional gallery with a solid collection of Australian and colonial art, including works by Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin. Rotating temporary exhibitions are usually free.

🕐 10am to 5pm daily, closed Mondays

💡 Check their website for free guided tours on weekends. The cafe does a decent flat white.

Regional gallery with a strong collection of Australian colonial and contemporary art, including works by Tom Roberts and Fred Williams. The permanent collection is free.

🕐 10am–5pm daily, closed public holidays

💡 Ask at the desk for a free gallery tour map; timed-entry tickets for special exhibitions cost around $15, but the main galleries are always free.

Regional gallery featuring Australian and European art, including a notable collection of colonial works and rotating contemporary exhibitions. The building itself is a converted bank.

🕐 10am–5pm daily

💡 Check the website before visiting for free guided tours. The gallery shop sells decent prints and postcards for souvenirs.

A striking white curved concrete wall with exposed aggregate detailing, opposite the historic Geelong Carousel on the waterfront.

🕐 24/7 (carousel operates 10:30 am – 4:30 pm weekends & school holidays)

💡 At high tide the reflection in the shallow pool creates a great photo; the carousel itself costs $5 per ride and is worth a spin.

Beachfront promenade with an art deco pavilion, shark-proof swimming enclosure, and lawns. A classic spot for a free dip or a walk along the water.

🕐 Open 24 hours (enclosure hours vary seasonally)

💡 Swim inside the patrolled enclosure during summer months. Head to the pavilion kiosk for cheap ice cream, not the overpriced cafes further along.

A classic bay beach with a protected swimming enclosure, a 1930s art deco pavilion, and a long boardwalk. Free to wander and swim.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Swim inside the shark-proof netting south of the children’s pool for calmer water. The carpark fills by 10am on summer weekends.

A public play space along the water with climbing structures, a flying fox, and interactive water features. Great for families.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Bring swimmies in summer—the splash pad is popular. Go on weekday mornings for a quieter time.

A revived waterfront with public art, a giant slide, a carousel, and a series of floating wooden platforms. Perfect for a free walk, run, or bike ride along the bay.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 The bollard sculptures (painted wooden figures on posts) are scattered along the path. There's a free printable map at the visitor centre to spot all 104 of them.

A restored art-deco bathing pavilion, a shark-proof swimming enclosure, and a long promenade with views across Corio Bay.

🕐 24/7 (bathing enclosure open daylight hours)

💡 Bring swimmers in summer – the enclosed sea bath is free and rarely crowded before 10 am.

Historic gardens by Eastern Park, with themed sections from succulent displays to a fernery. The 19th-century glasshouse is a highlight. Level paths make for an easy walk.

🕐 Daily 7:30am–5pm

💡 Bring your own coffee—the nearby cafe closes early. Visit the 200-year-old Moreton Bay fig near the main entrance.

Historic 19th-century gardens on the eastern edge of the city, with mature trees, a fernery, and seasonal flower beds. Good for a quiet wander or picnic.

🕐 7:30am–sunset daily

💡 Visit the glasshouse during weekdays when it's quietest. The adjacent duck pond is worth a look, but bring bread only if it's officially allowed.

Paved path following the Barwon River from Balyang Reserve to the Barwon Valley. Flat and quiet, good for cycling or walking. You'll see native birds, rowers, and the occasional platypus.

🕐 24/7

💡 Start at Balyang Sanctuary car park. The stretch towards Breakwater is quieter than the city end. Early morning gives best wildlife sightings.

A well-maintained 19th-century garden with themed sections, including a succulent garden and a collection of old trees. Good for a quiet stroll or picnic.

🕐 7am to sunset daily

💡 Visit early morning to see the resident birds and avoid crowds. The eastern section near the fernery is often emptier.

A 19th-century botanic garden near the waterfront with diverse plant collections, a fernery, and a distinctive curved glasshouse.

🕐 7:30 am – 5:00 pm daily (summer until 7:30 pm)

💡 Pick up a free map from the kiosk to follow the self-guided tree trail; the gardens are quietest on weekday mornings.

Housed in a restored 1872 woolstore, this museum tells the story of Geelong's wool industry with working machinery, interactive exhibits, and a hands-on weaving room. Entry is free on the first Wednesday of each month.

🕐 10am–4:30pm daily, closed Good Friday, Christmas Day

💡 On the first Wednesday, arrive early to book the free 20-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the sorting floor. Otherwise, general entry is $12 for adults.

Art deco swimming enclosure with changing sheds, a shark-proof sea bath, and a boardwalk. The beach itself is sheltered and calm. Plenty of grass for picnics.

🕐 24/7 (pool lifeguarded Nov–Mar, 10am–6pm)

💡 The tidal swimming pool is free, but fills up by midday on hot weekends. Go early. The kiosk serves decent chips.

A restored 1850s pier stretching into Corio Bay, now with a restaurant and bar on the wharf. The walk out to the end gives good views back over the city and bay.

🕐 24 hours (pier only; restaurant hours vary)

💡 Go at sunset for the best photo light, and avoid the tourist-trap restaurant if you're on a budget — bring your own coffee from a nearby café instead.

A historic swimming enclosure with a 1930s art deco pavilion, changing rooms, and a shark-proof pool. The saltwater pool is free for swimming, and the boardwalk offers city views.

🕐 Open 24 hours (pool open daylight hours only, lifeguard on duty 10am–6pm in summer)

💡 Bring a wetsuit from November to March; the water's cold even in summer. Best visited in late afternoon for golden light on the Pavilion.

Small museum on Corio Bay documenting Geelong's whaling and shipping history. Features the Carousel paddle steamer and a replica lighthouse. Donation-based entry.

🕐 Daily 10am–4pm

💡 Combined ticket with the adjacent carousel is cheap. The wooden boatshed out back is original and worth a look.