Geelong

Travel Guide
Geelong showing outdoor art
Spectacular rock forms, scenic drives, attractive beaches and a fascinating cultural heritage await at this port city in Victoria.

Geelong sits at the bottom of Australia on the shores of Corio Bay. This busy port and gateway to the long scenic coastal route of the Great Ocean Road is the second-largest city in Victoria. Enjoy waterfront walks, cycle along picturesque trails, play on beaches and embark on a daytrip to see spectacular natural attractions.

European settlement started in Geelong in the 1830s. The principal trade in the early days was wool. Get a sense of Geelong’s history as you pass the city’s original Victorian buildings, including the Town Hall and Christ Church. Pick up more insights into the area's past by visiting the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the National Wool Museum. At the Geelong Maritime Museum, study models of ships and naval artifacts.

For a fun day out, head to Geelong's waterfront, a large recreational space of landscaped gardens, piers, restaurants and cycling paths. The area also encompasses Eastern Beach where you can cool off in an art deco swimming enclosure, then walk along the wooden promenade. Younger children will love the restored 1892 carousel.

Go to the oceanfront Steampacket Gardens for a picnic on its lawns. If you are into sport, watch a thrilling Aussie Rules football match at Simonds Stadium, home of the Geelong Cats Football Club.

Explore Geelong’s beautiful surroundings by walking or cycling along the Bellarine Rail Trail. The 35-kilometre (21.7-mile) route passes through acres of farmland. Hike or mountain bike through You Yangs Regional Park, known for its granite peaks.

See even more scenic splendour with a road trip along the Great Ocean Road. Drive to some of Victoria’s most famous attractions, such as the collection of limestone rock stacks known as the Twelve Apostles. Visit the beach town of Torquay and go wine and food tasting in wineries along the way.

The cultural and picturesque attractions of Geelong lie 74 kilometres (46 miles) from Melbourne. A regional train connects the two cities, or you can fly into the domestic airport in Avalon, a 20-minute drive away from Geelong.

Where to stay in Geelong

Belmont Common is one of my favourite birdwatching areas in Geelong. There is a bird hide at Jerringot Wildlife Research. You get a lot of waterbirds in the area and also the occasional bird of prey. It's well known for crakes, rails and lathams snipe. #localgem

Belmont

Get to know Belmont by checking out its shopping, spas, and river views. Consider a visit to nearby sights like Little Creatures Brewery or Kardinia Park during your time in the area.

Belmont
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Waurn Ponds

Visitors to Waurn Ponds enjoy its shopping, and if you want to do some exploring, Saint Regis Winery is worth a stop.

Waurn Ponds
Serendip Sanctuary is a great place to see Emus and Kangaroos in a 'wild' setting. They let many native animals roam free and you can just walk past them. They have a number of bird hides and enclosures where you can also see native animals.

It's free to visit and is close to Lara train station.

Lara

You'll enjoy the museums and parks in Lara. You might want to make time for a stop at You Yangs Regional Park or Lara Heritage and Historical Museum.

Lara
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Leopold

When in Leopold, you can plan a visit to Adventure Park Geelong and Curlewis Golf Club, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Leopold
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Mount Duneed

While visiting Mount Duneed, you might make a stop by sights like Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Conewarre K47 Streamside Reserve.

Mount Duneed
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Geelong West

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Geelong West and surrounding area, you can visit Rippleside Park and Geelong Golf Course.

Geelong West
Admiralty Inn
Admiralty Inn
2.5 out of 5
66 Mckillop Street, Geelong, VIC
The price is ¥14,969 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
¥14,969
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this motel in Geelong. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (996 reviews)
"It was ok, basic facilities. Tv didn’t really work"

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024

Admiralty Inn
R Hotel Geelong
R Hotel Geelong
4 out of 5
10 Bellerine Street, Geelong, VIC
The price is ¥18,174 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥18,174
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Geelong. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (395 reviews)
"Very comfortable apartment The view from our balcony was just lovely Walking distance to shopping, Resturant’s, beach Would highly recommend"

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

R Hotel Geelong
Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, an IHG Hotel
2.5 out of 5
40 Ryrie Street, Geelong, VIC
The price is ¥16,776 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥16,776
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Geelong. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Geelong Performing Arts Center and Geelong ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (58 reviews)
Great place to stay
"Staff are very friendly and helpful Great place to stay"

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Quest Geelong Central
Quest Geelong Central
4 out of 5
71-77 Gheringhap St, Geelong, VIC
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Geelong. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Spirit of Tasmania Ferry Terminal ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (55 reviews)
"Picked this hotel as it was near the Performing Arts Centre where we were going to a concert. Excellent location to this and nice restaurants near by. Staff very friendly & helpful. Had a studio room. Well fitted out. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Quest Geelong Central
Vue Apartments Geelong
Vue Apartments Geelong
4.5 out of 5
6 Bellerine St, Geelong, VIC
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Geelong. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,364 reviews)
"Great King size bed and very clean and fresh"

Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024

Vue Apartments Geelong
The Waterfront Apartments, Geelong
The Waterfront Apartments, Geelong
4.5 out of 5
2-4 Yarra Street, Geelong, VIC
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury apartment in Geelong. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Steampacket Gardens and The Carousel ...
9/10 Wonderful! (374 reviews)
Long Weekend stay .
"Great roomy 2br apartment with excellent view of waterfront .Short walk to everything . Easy and convenient free parking in building. Very well stocked for self catering. Jenni our host was very helpfull and made check in easy 10/10"

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2024

The Waterfront Apartments, Geelong
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Geelong

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
4
" "5 - Excellent 44.44444444444444%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 33.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 11.11111111111111%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 11.11111111111111%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Dec 31, 2018

Cute little beachside town with lots of outdoor eating.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 12, 2018

Geelong is a great place to stay. It has it all - beaches, wonderful dining options, shopping & an easy train ride to Melbourne.

2/5 - Disappointing

Gary
Oct 11, 2018

We were just passing through and needed a place to stay otherwise we avoid Geelong as its just not a nice place. Hotel was nice though.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 10, 2018

Geelong waterfront has so much going on. A great place for families to explore

Cities near Geelong